MANKATO — As August rolls to an end, Mankato Area Public Schools’ “super summer” is coming to an end as well.
The period was set by starting school earlier for the 2025-26 school year and starting it later for the upcoming 2026-27 year, giving construction crews a few crucial extra weeks to wrap up some projects before students hit the halls on Sept. 8.
Perhaps the biggest project, and the one that’s garnered the most public attention, is the remodeling of Mankato West High School.
“It’s a beautiful facility, something that Mankato should be very, very proud of,” Scott Kaminski, MAPS facilities director said. “People are really excited. We’re excited to open it and have students, staff and (the) community occupy the space and use it.”
Kaminski is overseeing the final leg of the project at West. Over the course of the summer, Kaminski, as well as crews from Kraus-Anderson, have been focusing on finishing up the exterior and putting new amenities at the schools. Some of those include a student space on the third floor, a new gymnasium and flex classroom spaces on the second and third level of the school. However, perhaps the most anticipated change is the secured entrance at the front of the building.
The entrance will work like this: There are two rows of doors at the front entrance of West, with a small entryway in between the two. Sitting in that entryway will be a security checkpoint where visitors will check in and give the reason for their visit. While the outside set of doors will be unlocked during the school day, the inside set will remain locked from “first bell to last bell,” and will only be opened to visitors who check in at the checkpoint first.
“So everything will be secured in that (space) between the first two sets of doors at that main entrance, until we verify who you are and what you’re here for and then you’ll be welcomed into our building,” Kaminski said.
The building has already been in use, with new faculty and staff beginning their training on Monday. The following Monday, Aug. 31, will be when the rest of the school staff move into the building to start their training before the school year officially kicks off on the day after Labor Day. Kaminski hopes that the new construction will provide something exciting for everyone who steps through those doors this fall, whether it be the new gymnasium, the largest in the district with 18 basketball hoops and three courts, or the new classrooms and flex spaces complete with modern furniture.
“It’s a lot more welcoming and safe (and) secure and that wow factor has really hit its mark,” Kaminski said. “We’re impressed and we’re excited to open it up for everybody.”