By Rich Larson, KYMN News
The long‑anticipated “Reimagine Northfield High School” project is officially moving from the planning phase to the action phase, as construction is expected to begin in June and continue through 2029. During a recent update to the Northfield School Board, Northfield Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matt Hillmann said the district’s renovation and expansion plans are, as he put it “getting real, and getting real very quickly,” as architects, engineers, and construction managers finalize documents and prepare for the first bid openings in late March.
The project, which was overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2024, will transform Northfield High School over the next five years. Partners from Wold Architects & Engineers and Knutson Construction presented updated visuals and a detailed phasing plan at the board’s latest meeting.
While the school’s exterior design and site plan remain largely unchanged from earlier concepts, small adjustments to entrance designs were made to increase natural light and create clearer, more visible entry points marked by a signature tower and block‑N. The more substantial update came in the form of a four‑phase construction timeline that stretches from summer 2024 through final completion in 2029.
Phase 1—beginning this summer—will focus on site preparation, underground utilities, limited internal mechanical work, and the start of two new academic wings including the music addition. That music wing, which will also function as the school’s new storm shelter, is expected to be ready for use by September of 2027.
The academic additions will follow in late 2027 or early 2028, with students and staff transitioning into the new spaces at the start of the second semester in January 2028. An expanded gymnasium is slated for completion later that spring. Renovation work during the summers will carry the project to its final milestones in 2029.
Dr. Hillmann emphasized that while the long‑term outcome will be transformational, construction will bring significant short‑term challenges—especially traffic and parking. At certain points, available parking may shrink from more than 600 spaces to around 450. He said there is one fool proof way to deal with the headache of a traffic and parking snafu, and, of course, it involves Dolly Parton.
“So, I want people to imagine traffic and parking being terrible. If we all think of it that way, and then it’s just a little bit better, we’re going to be able to manage our expectations. Dolly Parton is one of my favorite philosophers, and she said, ‘You know, you got to put up with the rain to get the rainbow.’”
Weekly construction updates, wrapped fencing with QR‑coded project information, a public webcam, and community meetings will help keep families and neighbors informed throughout the process. With high hopes for competitive bids and strong interest from local contractors, Hillmann said the district is eager to begin “the work that will shape our educational community for the next 75 years.”
Hillmann encouraged community members looking for more detailed information to watch the recorded presentation on the district’s website, which can be found here:
