Racine County Eye
Local News for Racine and Kenosha counties
UNION GROVE, Wis. — Science education has been transformed at Union Grove High School following renovations funded by a $34.9 million capital improvement referendum approved by voters in November 2024.
Superintendent Tom Johnson said the high school’s renovations are nearing completion, with the exterior facade at the south entrance expected to be finished within the next week.
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The project includes ADA-compliant bathrooms, new secure entrances, windows, doors and a new media room.
The centerpiece of the renovations is a new science hallway with new classrooms for teachers and students.
One classroom focuses on engineering and robotics, while another is dedicated to biology.
The district also added a ground-floor corridor connecting the high school to the exterior agricultural building, which houses a greenhouse, two agricultural classrooms and other agricultural education spaces.
“It felt great once kids were able to walk in on the first day, getting them in, walking them around,” Johnson said. “I think they appreciated it.”
Biology teacher Mitchell Brachmann said the new science classroom has made it easier to conduct labs and keep students safe.
Before the renovations, Brachmann had to travel between three rooms during the school day.
“It’s given me the ability to make sure our kids are safe in our room,” Brachmann said. “We have labs in our classroom (…) (we) don’t have to worry about kids moving.”
Brachmann, who has taught science at Union Grove High School for 17 years, said the new classroom has brought renewed energy to his teaching and that he believes students appreciate the changes.
Displayed in a window outside Brachmann’s classroom is a 200-gallon water tank filled with colorful fish. The word “SCIENCE” is spelled out with rocks inside the tank.
Another focal point of the new corridor is the Bronco media room, which is used for presentations, daily announcements and other activities.
The science corridor on the second floor is connected to the art corridor. Johnson is hoping the connection will give students added exposure to the arts and beyond.
“They’re more interested in these areas because they’re exposed to them,” Johnson said. “It dramatically increases interest in art because of the corridor.”
Union Grove student Sophia Anastasovski said students previously worked in an old bathroom and hallways.
“It’s very nice to have our own space now,” she said.
The second phase of the project includes construction of a new 500-space parking lot, which is scheduled for completion in fall 2027.
The phase also includes relocating the baseball and softball fields.
The timeline was pushed back a year after the district took 80 acres of neighboring farmland through eminent domain. It has possession of the land, but what it will pay landowner Daniel Riedel is still being litigated.
Read more about the Union Grove High School renovation project. 
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