Photo courtesy of GFW Supt. Allen Berg The GFW commons area will serve as cafeteria space. It was designed to resemble a railroad depot, as a reference to Gibbon, Fairfax and Winthrop’s history as railway towns. A performing arts center will connect to the commons area.

GIBBON — Academic spaces in the new pre-K-12 Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop (GFW) Public School are being completed this week.

“Desks and chairs are being delivered now. Smart screens and whiteboards are being hung now. The school will be complete when we move in,” said GFW Superintendent Allen Berg Wednesday.

The GFW school board approved proposed new school calendar dates Nov. 17 including changing Thursday and Friday, Feb. 12-13 from full school days to non-school days.

The change was made to enable final details of moving the middle school and high school to 1157 E. 13th Street, just north of State Highway 19 in the northeast corner of Gibbon.

“We are excited about the opportunities our new facility will provide,” said Berg. “Construction delays affected completion of the gymnasium, fitness center, choir and band rooms. Initially, we thought we could move the middle and senior high school over winter break. Unfortunately, it took longer than earlier believed to get it done. Our construction teams continue to work diligently. We are grateful for their dedication. We recognize the challenges this creates for families and appreciate their patience as we work toward a safe and smooth transition. Our school transition was chosen carefully to minimize disruption and ensure the best possible learning environment for students and staff.”

Berg said school plans include opening the new fitness center for public use.

In April 2023, the GFW school board approved construction of the new school. After more than two years of planning, design and construction including the elementary wing, the new building with a large number of windows, some with distinctive arches, opened for K-5 students Sept. 5.

Berg said there are a number to things to excited about as the new facility nears completion.

“We’re on budget. Our enrollment is is up to 554,” he said. “We budgeted for 535 students. A number of students that open enrolled out of the school district have come back.”

The school district recently received a $200,000 Minnesota Department of Transportation Local Partnership Program (LPP) grant for a bituminous trail, grading, ADA (American Disabilities Act) improvements, pavement markings and associated construction adjacent to State Highway 19.

The 1,117 trail will connect Ely Avenue and the school. A cooperative construction agreement with MNDOT, GFW Public Schools and the City of Gibbon includes a solar-powered, pedestrian crosswalk flasher system.

Under the agreement, the City of Gibbon will be responsible for snow and ice control/removal, sweeping and debris removal, patching, crack repair, pavement replacement, vegetation control, signage, pavement markings and other maintenance to keep the trail in safe, usable condition.

Berg said the trail will be completed this spring.

He said the school district is launching a new strategic planning process to help determine the future of the school.

“We will be refreshing and re-imagining the school district’s strategic plan as the current plan ends this year. This plan will guide our work over the next few years. It will be directly impacted by participant input,” said Berg.

Any GFW community member including staff, parents and students is invited to complete a 10-minute survey available until Dec. 13 on the school website at https://www.gfwschools.org/.