Students, staff and community members gathered at Hamilton High School on October 3 for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the cafeteria addition and kitchen renovation project. The months-long construction project expanded dining capacity to accommodate larger enrollment and improved the overall lunchtime experience for students. This project was made possible through community support of a facilities referendum voters approved in April 2024.
“The expanded kitchen and larger cafeteria have truly been a game-changer,” explained Hamilton School District Director of Nutritional Services Kira King. “The new layout is incredibly functional, making our staff’s work smoother, faster and more efficient. We’ve also been able to broaden our menu offerings, and the response from students has been fantastic. They love having multiple stations to choose from, though I’ve heard many say it’s tough to pick when everything looks so good” she added.
The ceremony took place inside the new cafeteria addition. It began with a performance from the Hamilton High School A Cappella Choir who sang the National Anthem. The event also featured remarks from both King and Superintendent Paul Mielke, Ph.D. “We’re incredibly grateful to our community for supporting this investment in our students,” said Dr. Mielke. “We are not only accommodating a larger student population with this additional cafeteria space and redesigned kitchen. We have also created an area that supports healthy eating, collaboration and school spirit,” he added.
Students began using the spaces at the start of the 2025-26 school year. Construction first began in October of 2024 and ramped up during the summer months while students were out of school. The spaces were designed by Plunkett Raysich Architects. JP Cullen served as the general contractor for the project.
“One of the most impactful improvements has been our increased storage capacity,” shared King. “With the new cooler and freezer, we’re able to keep a much larger supply of fresh fruits and vegetables on hand. That helps us serve healthy and fresh produce every single day.”
King went on to tell those in attendance that the Nutritional Services Department is truly grateful for the investment in their program. “It supports not only the work we do but also the well-being of our students, which is the heart of everything we do,” said King. “Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible.”