Superintendent Mark Dodge and many others have come up with many new ideas for USD 348. These ideas include a variety of improvements to the High school and even include parts of the Middle school. 

“During the 2021-2022 school year, a strategic plan was developed by the school board with staff and community members,” Dodge said. “From this study, interest in making facility improvements was made known. Additionally, the timing and financial opportunities regarding our past bonds provided a great opportunity to seek a bond issue. Through a series of focus group meetings, with community leaders, staff, and students, we learned of the importance of expanding and updating our CTE facilities, parking, and safety and security.”

Many meetings have been held since then where everyone has gotten together and worked to make a plan to improve the education opportunities at Baldwin High school.

These improvements are giving many teachers more workspace and opportunities for further work.

“Some of the things we’re getting with the bond are fully commercial kitchens, so students will be able to cook in a kitchen that would resemble something in the culinary industry,” Tannahill said. “So if they wanted to go work at a restaurant they would be able to use that type of equipment, which would be a really awesome opportunity and so we’re just getting a lot of updates. I’m very excited.”

“I think that these improvements will affect the agriculture program very greatly,” Herrenbruck said. Having an actual classroom that’s not like a little closet that I have right now will definitely help, having labs and everything will help the program be bigger and hopefully have more FFA members in the future. I’m getting many things, specifically a classroom, 2 lab spaces, an animal and plant science lab, and also a greenhouse.

Not only building additions and educational purposes other additions will be put in place. As many students and families of Baldwin city know, parking spaces have been an issue at Baldwin High School. Dodge, the school board, and people of the community proposed the making of more parking spaces. This will be great for home games, promotion/high school graduation, and ensuring enough spots for students.  

“If all goes according to plan, the parking lot improvements will be completed in time for school this fall,” Dodge said.