 The Brainerd School District has taken an important step in the blueprint 181 building process with the approval of the first round of schematic design plans during a meeting earlier this week. The Brainerd Public Schools Board of Education unanimously approved the schematic design plans for the Harrison and Niswa Elementary updates along with designs for a new elementary school in Baxter. The district heard feedback about the plans from the community in an open house last week. The next steps is we're pulling user groups together in each of these three buildings which will be several days where each of the staff members in the buildings get to look at their spaces to identify areas that are very important that have to be a part of their space and any concerns that they have moving forward. The updates will have an immense impact on the Brainerd School District. According to the blueprint 181 website, the plans will address health, safety and classroom needs in all of the district's schools. It will also add more space for students in need due to Brainerd's growing population. What this is doing is providing that home for our kids so that when they come to school they have a safe environment that is conducive to the educational efficiencies that we need and providing the highest quality educational opportunities possible. Our tagline is to provide opportunity, innovation and success for all learners and that's what these facilities are going to help us to enhance as we move forward. For more information on blueprint 181 and the Brainerd School District's remodeling and design plans you can visit the story on our website at lptv.org. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS.