Creating a welcoming and inspiring workspace for the students of Superior is crucial to maintaining a functional educational environment. In the next two years, the School District of Superior will undertake several facility improvements to enrich and enhance the learning atmosphere for all Spartans.
What’s Going On at SMS & Bryant?
Superior Middle School and Bryant Elementary recently completed two updates to their front entrances. On the south end of Superior, Bryant installed new concrete footings and new front entrance doors. This project was a continuation of last summer’s initial construction, which was put on hold primarily due to supply chain issues and unearthing new structural information.
“Bryant took longer than expected because when the installers went to put in the doors, they noticed something was off,” said Corey Karren, Director of Buildings and Grounds. “The installers were going off the original blueprints and realized there were supposed to be metal columns supporting the front entrance. When the old metal doors were about to be removed, they realized those doors were actually serving as structural supports and didn’t have steel columns to support the roof. So, they had to pour new concrete footings to support the doors with aluminum frames.”
Superior Middle School (SMS) faced a similar story. The original structure was built in 2002 with specific required parts. The Superior crew wanted to ensure the update was seamless and that the entrance looked as nice as the day it was built.
“The biggest issue was just getting the correct material,” said Karren. “We were trying to match the original door so that it didn’t stand out. We tried to source the material through the original supplier, which they don’t typically use anymore. The longest holdup was finding the right manufacturer that made the frames when the building was first built, and then it was just supply chain issues getting it here. You have to get in touch with the manufacturer that makes the metal, then they send it to another company that anodizes the material, and then you have to put it all together to install everything. This has been such a consistent issue since COVID.”
Both schools are now complete and secure for many school years ahead.
A New Roof for Future Generations
With the SMS entrance complete, all eyes are now on its roof. SMS, Northern Lights Elementary and Four Corners Elementary are just a few of the district’s buildings dealing with shrinking, leaking roofs.
“The roof is failing to the point that it’s pulling away from the building’s walls,” said Matt Peterson, Buildings & Grounds Supervisor. “The current roof is essentially just a layer of rubber, and over the years, the sun has made it brittle and caused it to shrink. Additionally, whenever anyone goes onto the roof to perform inspections or repairs, the rock material and ballast wear thin. It’s past its life expectancy, so the roofing material punctures easily now. We’ve made many repairs, but we are still seeing water in classrooms.”
The typical lifespan of a similar roof is about 15 to 20 years, and the SMS roof is currently in its 24th year. The new Garland Roof System that the district plans to install will last more than 50 years and comes with a 40-year warranty.
“The Garland Company will install a multi-layer system,” said Peterson. “This will allow water to run directly to the drains without pooling in specific spots. It’s set up so you almost never have to think about it again.”
Construction on the SMS roof is expected to begin in the late spring of 2027 and will be financed through the district’s savings account. The construction won’t disrupt any learning.
Sports Complex Set For Upgrades
After 13 seasons of consistent use, the football/lacrosse/soccer field and the track at the NBC Spartan Sports Complex will be replaced next summer. Superior High School teams, area high school programs, youth groups, college programs and community sports teams have all used the turf field, which was one of the first of its kind in the Twin Ports when it was installed in 2014.
Due to heavy wear and tear, the track has not hosted an official meet since 2023. Thanks to a $1.3 million donation from the National Bank of Commerce, Superior High School (SHS) is set to upgrade both the field and the track, ensuring athletes have a safe, high-quality playing surface.
“We will also be fixing some drainage problems at the baseball field,” said Karren. “Specifically, we are making minor repairs in left field and addressing heavily used areas like second base, the pitcher’s mound and around the batter’s box. We are extending the life of the turf and making adjustments where needed. It’s great to see that the outfield is still in good condition.”
The Spartan baseball field, installed at the same time as the football field, is also scheduled for repairs. Due to drainage issues, runoff water has eroded the retaining wall next to the field as well as the exterior surface near the surrounding fence.
“When the field starts to thaw from winter, followed by snowmelt, that water has to drain somewhere,” said Karren. “Usually, the rubber material mixed into the turf thaws out quickly, allowing water to pass through the drainage underneath. While that drainage system works fine, water coming off the completely frozen left field hits the curb and pools because the playing surface sits a little lower. You can really tell during early summer after a heavy rainfall.”
How to Honor a Longtime Spartan
Since implementing its Naming Rights & Naming School Facilities policy in 2023, the school district has welcomed potential community partners into its facilities. In the fall of 2026, the district established the Superior Spartan Facilities Partnership Program – a strategic initiative designed to modernize and sustain high school facilities (including turf replacement, track resurfacing and new scoreboards) through community-aligned naming rights and sponsorships. This program relies entirely on stakeholder collaboration, private sponsorships, grants and legacy gifts, ensuring no funds are pulled from the educational budget.
These partnership opportunities allow local businesses to gain community exposure, give families and organizations a way to honor individuals at a meaningful venue and help the district achieve its long-term goals.
Additionally, anyone who donates more than $250 before June 1 will be recognized on a donor wall at the NBC Spartan Sports Complex. Learn more about the program at superior.k12.wi.us/community/naming_rights_sponsorships.
If you are interested in becoming a partner, reach out to David Coy via email at david.coy@superior.k12.wi.us.
David Coy is Communications/PR Specialist, School District of Superior.
