Lake Superior School District Celebrates $44.1 Million Renovations

SILVER BAY, Minn. — A year’s long dream to update William Kelley School in Silver Bay has finally come to fruition.

Voters in the Lake Superior School District approved the $44.1 million district improvement plan back in 2021. Updates to learning tools, like interactive white boards, new science equipment and even general infrastructure improvement have been in the works ever since funding was approved. But Tuesday, staff, students, and community members gathered at the school to see what’s new.

“I’ve always said, and you’ve heard me say it many times, the most important building in City and Silver Bay is not City Hall. It’s right here,” said Mayor Wade LeBlanc, Silver Bay.

“We all can finally see the progress that has taken shape and is ready to be presented. The construction means a lot to us students. As you all know, William Kelly has been the same for decades with very little advancements. While you all know and love the old William Kelly, this construction shows our school’s ambition to improve the building for students and has granted us with an upgraded and more modernized environment to utilize. From new rooms to new wings, we are very excited to show everybody the more secure and optimal learning spaces,” said Christina Kaiser, student. “And I’m part of all of the high school students. We’d like to say thank you from the people who provided funding to construction workers who are really in the building day after day, working for us. To everybody who voted for this project, we thank you.”

The school is a notable investment, coming at a time when other districts throughout the state have seen cuts to education budgets. Many of the new facilities are already being used by students.