Rhinelander High School to Celebrate Completion of $26 Million Capital Project with September 21 Ribbon Cutting

Rhinelander, WI — August 12, 2026 — The School District of Rhinelander will celebrate the completion of the Rhinelander High School portion of its $26 million capital improvement project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, September 21, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. in the Rhinelander High School Commons.

The celebration will recognize the tremendous work and community investment that has transformed Rhinelander High School, with a particular focus on the school’s Technical Education facilities. The newly renovated and expanded spaces provide students and staff with state-of-the-art learning environments designed to prepare students for successful careers while strengthening the connection between Rhinelander High School and Northwoods employers.

“This project represents so much more than new classrooms and equipment,” said Eric Burke, Superintendent of Schools for the School District of Rhinelander. “It is an investment in our students, an investment in our staff, and an investment in the future of the Northwoods. We want every student to have opportunities to discover their interests, develop their skills and see a pathway toward a career and a successful life. These new Technical Education spaces help make that possible.”

The Technical Education renovations include significant improvements to the Fabrication and Welding Labs, Fab Lab, Woods Lab, Machining facilities and the new Dr. Lee Swank Collaboration Space, along with previously completed improvements to the Auto/Marine facilities.

The new spaces feature modern equipment and flexible learning environments that allow students to engage in authentic, hands-on experiences connected to the skills and technologies used by today's employers. The facilities are designed to support both traditional technical education courses and expanded opportunities for students to explore careers in the skilled trades, manufacturing, construction, engineering and other technical fields.

The project also strengthens the district's commitment to building meaningful partnerships with local and regional employers.

“Our Northwoods employers need talented, highly skilled people,” Burke said. “Our responsibility as a school district is to help our students understand the incredible opportunities that exist right here in our community and give them the knowledge, skills and experiences to pursue those opportunities. These facilities provide an exceptional foundation for doing exactly that.”

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will include remarks from district and project leaders, followed by tours of the newly completed Technical Education facilities.

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Schedule

Rhinelander High School Commons
Monday, September 21, 2026
4:30 p.m.

The program will include:

·  Rhinelander High School Band and Choir — Welcome

·  Eric Burke, Superintendent of Schools — Master of Ceremonies

·  Ron Counter, School District of Rhinelander Board President

·  Shane Dornfeld, Rhinelander High School Principal

·  Dave Mertens, CD Smith

·  Nate Considine, Bray Architects

·  Ribbon-cutting ceremony

·  Tours of the new Technical Education facilities

The School District of Rhinelander extends its appreciation to the Rhinelander community, School Board, staff, students, project partners, contractors, architects, donors and community organizations whose support and work helped bring this vision to reality.

The Rhinelander High School improvements are part of the district's broader $26 million capital improvement project, approved by Rhinelander voters in April 2024. The project has included significant improvements at both Rhinelander High School and James Williams Middle School.

The completion of the Rhinelander High School project marks an important milestone for the School District of Rhinelander and its commitment to equity, empowerment and excellence for all.

“We are incredibly proud of what has been created for our students,” Burke said. “When our students walk into these spaces, we want them to see possibility. We want them to see careers, opportunities and a future. Most importantly, we want them to know that our community believes in them and is willing to invest in their success.”