WAUNAKEE — September 8 wasn’t just the first day of school for St. John the Baptist School in Waunakee, a part of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish. 

It was a day to rejoice in a nearly $3 million renovation.

Three goals

The initiative for the renovation began with some school parents, who, in light of tragic national events, were considering what could be done to improve school security. 

They began researching potential improvements and reached out within the parish, consulting on fundraising options. 

Prominent among these parents were Jennifer Leicht and Alison Madigan, who would go on to be part of many meetings alongside the principal, Kalee Kozinski, and Fr. Joseph Baker, pastor of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish.

A plan was developed to add a secure vestibule with double doors, a feature that is common at many schools but that St. John the Baptist lacked prior to the renovation. 

The design includes several new security features, making it easier for staff to monitor traffic to the school.

Increasing security wasn’t the only needed improvement, however. 

The renovation plan had two other major goals: windows and restrooms. 

Part of the school building is from 1948, and an addition was built in 1960. 

During the energy crisis, many windows were partly blocked off, and in the years since, many of the windows that remained reached the end of their usefulness. 

The school has now put in all new windows, including restoring the windows to their original sizes, offering much more natural light in classrooms.

The renovation of the restrooms throughout the building aimed to improve functionality and make the first-floor restrooms ADA-compliant.

The fundraising was on a tiered structure, with the most necessary projects being funded first. 

The highest goal — which would have allowed the school to install an elevator — was not reached, but the immediate needs were successfully funded. 

These renovations will improve the experience of every student and teacher in the building, and also benefit the parish more broadly, as the space is used for parish programs and events.

Mass of celebration

On September 8, the school had a blessing of the new entrance and a Mass to celebrate the success of the fundraising and the near completion of the work.

Donors and parishioners joined the school community for the celebration. 

Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison celebrated the Mass and gave the blessing.

“It’s a testament to the vitality and spiritual power of the Lord acting in your parish and in your school . . . St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, St. John the Baptist School, are institutions in our diocese that bring many people to Christ, and so today, Father Joe and all of you should be rightfully proud as we are grateful to God,” said Bishop Hying. 

Father Baker thanked the bishop, his parochial vicars, and the musicians, as well as those in attendance. 

“Thank you to all of you who are invested in [the school] now, who’ve been invested in the past, and in a special way we entrust and pray that God will continue the work of this school.”

At the end of Mass, the bishop blessed a restored statue of Our Lady. 

The image had stood out front in the past. 

Now repainted and repaired, it will be placed in the school cafeteria.

The school also honored its history by having the Mass said on the altar that used to be in the convent chapel, back when sisters taught at the school for many years.

After Mass, donors and members of the community were invited to enjoy coffee and doughnuts in the school cafeteria. 

Bishop Hying stayed to greet many Mass attendees, sharing their joy.

St. John the Baptist School just celebrated its 150th anniversary, and this year’s attendance is over 200 students, including 25 new families.

The construction was completed largely over the summer, and the school anticipates it will wrap up in September.

“I’m very grateful to the two parents who took the lead on this, Jennifer Leicht and Alison Madigan, to help spearhead this project for our current students and also taking our school into the future,” said Principal Kalee Kozinski. 

“And thank you to all of those that donated, whether it was $100 or six figures; every little bit helped make our dream a reality. And I’m excited for these new updates to continue to help grow our school and help our students thrive.”