Celina School Building Project Remains On Track For January Move-In

CELINA - The Celina school building project remains on track, with staff and students still expected to move into the new 7-12 building in January.

Celina Superintendent Brooke Gessler said during a recent Spectrum interview that progress continues to be noticeable at the construction site, especially with site work, sidewalks, and exterior improvements taking shape. Gessler said the district is still planning to welcome staff and students into the new building the week of January 18th, with students returning on January 19th after Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Gessler said the timing lines up with the start of the second semester, giving the district a clean break between the current building and the new facility. She said the district also hopes to begin moving some equipment into the building earlier to allow staff, including food service and operations employees, time to prepare and learn the new space.

The new building will serve students in grades 7 through 12. Gessler said the district has worked to keep middle school and high school students separated where possible, including classroom layout and lunch schedules, while also recognizing that some shared spaces will be part of the new facility.

Gessler said families and students will likely notice several major changes right away, including more natural light, updated classroom furniture, improved common areas, more cafeteria space, and enhanced safety and accessibility features. She said the building was designed with safety in mind from the beginning, rather than trying to add security features to an older facility after the fact.

The district is also preparing for changes to traffic flow, drop-off, pickup, parking, and bus routes. Gessler said the district plans to use communication, signage, and videos to help families understand the new procedures, but also noted that adjustments may be needed once the building is in use.

Once the new building opens, the current high school building is expected to be demolished. Gessler said preparation is already underway for abatement work, with that space eventually being used for new athletic facilities, including a new track.

The current middle school building will be repurposed for new administrative offices, along with renovations connected to Head Start. Gessler said those renovations are being funded separately through a federal grant.

Gessler said the project represents more than a new building, calling it a reflection of the community’s investment in students, staff, and future generations. The district is also planning future opportunities for the public to tour the building, including a ribbon-cutting and open house events.