Grand Island Approved Westridge Middle School Expansion
The district will use existing funds for a $10.5 million project to add classroom space and secure entries.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Secondary Education
Live Poll
Should your local school district fund major facility expansions through existing budgets instead of voter-approved bonds?
The Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education has greenlit design and engineering firms to lead a $10.5 million expansion of Westridge Middle School. The project aims to address capacity needs by adding classrooms, expanding the cafeteria, and installing a secure entry vestibule.
Why it matters
The expansion supports more than 690 students and 80 staff members at a school designed for future growth. By using existing district funds, the school board is avoiding a new bond vote to finance the necessary facility updates.
CMBA Architects will receive 5.04 percent of the $10.5 million budget, while Engineering Technologies, Inc. receives 6.25 percent of the $3.15 million mechanical budget. These contracts move the project forward following the original school building opening in 2008.
The players
Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education
The governing body responsible for overseeing district facilities and managing school funding for the local community.
CMBA Architects
The design firm selected to provide architectural planning and construction oversight for the middle school expansion.
Engineering Technologies, Inc.
The engineering firm hired to manage mechanical systems and building infrastructure components for the expansion.
The details
The expansion will repurpose the building's design to incorporate new classroom wings, a larger cafeteria, and administrative office updates. A primary safety focus of the renovation is the addition of a secure entry vestibule to control building access. Engineering Technologies, Inc. will handle the mechanical components, which account for 30 percent of the total project investment.
Timeline
• The original bond issue for the school construction passed in 2005.
• Westridge Middle School first opened for students in January 2008.
• The Board of Education officially approved the project firms on October 8, 2026.
The Home Front
The planned expansion at Westridge follows the original design intent established during the 2005 school bond era. The project marks a significant investment in district infrastructure without requiring the taxpayer approval typically associated with new construction bonds.
Local families should monitor upcoming district communications for updates regarding construction traffic patterns near the school site. If you have students attending Westridge, check the district website for potential temporary changes to drop-off or pickup procedures during the project.
The takeaway
The Westridge Middle School expansion addresses modern capacity needs by building on the foundation of the 2008 facility. Parents can track project milestones through the district board meeting minutes and official school district notifications.
Further reading
For more on local school facility planning, see our Secondary Education page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Central Nebraska Today.
Live Poll
Should your local school district fund major facility expansions through existing budgets instead of voter-approved bonds?
