GIPS Board of Education Shares Three-Phase Facilities Plan to Support Long-Term Community Growth

GRAND ISLAND (Neb.) – What will our schools look like five, ten, twenty-five, even fifty years from now? 

That is the big question the Grand Island Public Schools (GIPS) Board of Education has been wrestling with.  Through community conversations, brainstorming as a Board, and sharing concepts with the public any chance they get — the Board and the GIPS District Leadership are seeking to position the district to accommodate what is projected to be sizable community growth in the coming years. 

Now, the Board is ready to flesh out some ideas, roll them out to the Grand Island community, and gather feedback from students, staff, families, and community patrons.  

“We have a duty to the public of Grand Island to make plans for the future.” Hank McFarland, GIPS Board President, said. “Grand Island is going to continue to grow and we need to start with a 10, 20, 50 year plan now — we don’t want to kick that can down the road to the next Board. We owe the community to figure out what we need to do facilities-wise in order to help our students be the best students they can be.” 

And so, the Board of Education and the GIPS district leadership team engaged in a visioning discussion on facilities during the February 12th, 2026 Board meeting.  As with the months of previous community conversations, the intentional planning effort aims to ensure GIPS remains equipped to serve students as the Grand Island community continues to grow in the coming decades.

"Envisioning the Future of GIPS" is a fluid plan that is structured into three strategic phases.

Phase I prioritizes the most pressing immediate facility needs that GIPS may tackle with funds the district is able to generate in the special building fund. 

Phase II imagines a plan five to ten years from now that would see GIPS finishing the planned Middle School expansion and adding a new Elementary School through a potential bond. 

Phase III seeks to ask the public if we may be ready for GIPS to add a second high school building within the next 15-20 years; again, through a potential bond. 

All of the ideas are open for input and feedback. 

“Our Board has worked to refine their planning so that we may be able to bring these ideas back to our public.” Matt Fisher, GIPS Superintendent, confirmed. “We really want the public to give us feedback on what they feel our district should be doing around future facility needs.” 

What do Phase I, Phase II, & Phase III look like? 

PHASE I (2026 - 2031) - Addressing Immediate Needs with Building Fund Dollars: 

Immediate Enhancements (2026 – 2031) The first phase focuses on projects that can be tackled using existing funds and the Special Buildings Fund. With a projected cost of over $22.2 million, this phase could include:

Gates Elementary School: Renovations and additions scheduled to begin in Fall 2026.

Westridge Middle School: Classroom expansion projects set to start in Spring 2028.

Walnut Middle School: A new gymnasium project slated for Spring 2029.

Strategic Land Purchase: Identifying and negotiating for property to house future facilities as the district grows.

Funding for Phase I will be secured through a combination of the current building fund balance, planned annual additions to the fund through 2031, and the potential use of Tax Anticipation Notes (TANS) to expedite construction.

“The neatest thing about it is by doing this in phases, we’ll be able to pay for Phase I without going to a bond issue.” McFarland said. “There are things that we need for our schools right now, and they’re things we can afford.  And so it’s time to start doing ‘em so we don’t get behind the eight ball of future costs of construction.” 

PHASE II (2031 - 2036) - Imagining Growth & Bond Issues:  

As the district moves into the 5-to-10-year window, Phase II introduces larger-scale projects requiring a bond election. With an estimated total cost of $90 million, this phase focuses on:

A New “Greenfield” Elementary School: A projected $35 million investment to accommodate rising enrollment.

Grand Island Senior High (GISH) Additions: $15 million in enhancements to the flagship high school.

Westridge Middle School Completion: Finalizing the build-out of the facility.

Stadium Area Fieldhouse: A new $5 million facility for athletics and activities.

Phase III (2041 - 2046) - Long-Term Vision for High School: 

Looking 15 to 20 years into the future, Phase III prepares for the most significant expansion in the district's history. This phase, estimated at $175 million and also requiring bond support, includes:

Second High School Building: A $120 million project to serve the long-term growth of the Grand Island community.

District-Wide Renovations: $20 million allocated for aging facilities.

Future Potential Projects: $35 million set aside for emerging needs as the city expands.

What’s next?  

GIPS and the Board envision ongoing dialogue with the community. 

While this three-phased plan is tentative, the hope is to build more momentum with community conversation so the vision of the future of Grand Island Public Schools may be shaped by those the schools serve — our students, staff, families, and community.  

“Where are we going and what are we going to be doing as all these exciting things are taking place in Grand Island?”  Fisher asked during his State of the City address.  “One of the things that is also going to happen is population growth… And so we want to put our district in a good place for important future decisions.” 

More opportunities for the public to engage in conversation will be on the horizon soon.  And, of course, folks who have ideas and insight to share, they’re welcome to reach out to their Board Representative or Superintendent Fisher directly.