PCS Case Study

Plum City High School, Wisconsin – Revitalizing Rural Education Facilities

Plum City is a quaint town in western Wisconsin — blink and you’ll miss it. But for this small rural community, their high school represents the heart of local pride and student achievement. Through family connections to the area, Protective Coating Specialists was approached by Plum City High School to help address serious flooring challenges in their aging facility.

The school faced multiple problems that had accumulated over decades: hallways and cafeteria floors covered with asbestos vinyl tile that was cracked and discolored, plus recent water damage from flooding that had compromised floor integrity. Eric Kannel, head of maintenance, reached out to evaluate the facility and recommend the best flooring systems for multiple areas throughout the building.

“Eric and I walked through the entire facility together, measuring and assessing every space that needed attention,” said Peter Valitchka, Vice President of Sales. “We looked at main hallways, the teachers’ lounge being remodeled, restrooms, cafeteria, vestibule, locker rooms, and lower hallways. The scope was substantial for a small rural school district.”

Proving Capability Through a Test Installation

Understanding the significance of this investment for a small school district, Plum City administrators made a smart decision: they selected the teachers’ lounge as a test project to gauge PCS’s workmanship before committing to the larger scope. This 485 square foot space would serve as proof of concept for the entire multi-phase renovation.

The project required careful coordination with asbestos abatement specialists. After another vendor removed all asbestos tile and grout, PCS prepped the floors using large grinders equipped with HEPA vacuum systems—ensuring a clean, safe work environment that met all regulatory requirements for educational facilities.

PCS installed a comprehensive four-coat system using Sika DecoDur FX decorative flake with cove base and moisture primer, then sealed the surface with Sika 315 urethane to provide high wear resistance suitable for the demanding school environment.

Results That Speak Volumes

The teachers’ lounge installation exceeded expectations. The transformation from cracked, discolored asbestos tile to a beautiful, seamless decorative flake floor impressed both administrators and staff. The success of this initial installation led to immediate expansion of the project scope.

“The job was so successful that the high school asked us to measure additional areas throughout the building,” noted Valitchka. “We recently received a text from Plum City that simply said: ‘We love our Floors.’ That kind of enthusiasm from a client tells you everything about the quality of the installation.”

Expanding Scope Across Multiple Phases

Based on the teachers’ lounge success, Plum City High School has expanded the flooring renovation to include substantial additional areas throughout the facility:

Phase 2 – Main Level Expansion: Hallways plus three side rooms totaling 3,256 square feet, including one restroom with tile removal requirements and existing tile base that can remain in place.

Basement Renovation: The basement area presents unique challenges with old painted locker rooms and stairwell systems requiring complete refinishing. The scope includes coating 12 steps with two landings across two sets of stairs, covering both treads and risers for improved safety and aesthetics.

• Basement floor area: 497 square feet
• Stairwell systems: 440 square feet
• Men’s locker room: 687 square feet
• Women’s locker room: 673 square feet

Cafeteria and Common Areas: The cafeteria represents one of the largest single spaces in the renovation at 3,297 square feet, including the concession area, entry vestibule, and connecting hallways—creating a cohesive, attractive environment where students gather throughout the day.

Community Impact and Rural School Expertise

The Plum City High School project demonstrates PCS’s commitment to serving rural communities and understanding the unique challenges facing small school districts. Educational facilities require flooring solutions that can withstand heavy foot traffic, are easy to maintain with limited custodial staff, meet safety requirements, and work within tight budget constraints.

“Small rural school districts face unique challenges,” explained Valitchka. “They need flooring that will last for decades, not just years, because replacement cycles are much longer than in larger, better-funded districts. They also need contractors who understand how to work within their schedules—completing work during summer breaks or working around the school calendar.”

The family connection that initially brought PCS to Plum City reflects the company’s deep roots in Wisconsin communities. Understanding local connections and building trust through proven workmanship creates partnerships that extend far beyond single projects.

Educational Facility Expertise

The Plum City project showcases several capabilities that make PCS particularly well-suited for educational facility work:

• Safety Compliance: Working alongside asbestos abatement contractors and using HEPA vacuum systems demonstrates commitment to student and staff safety
• Schedule Flexibility: Understanding school calendar constraints and working within maintenance windows
• Durability Focus: Selecting high-wear systems that withstand decades of heavy student traffic
• Budget Sensitivity: Phased approaches that allow districts to spread costs across multiple budget cycles
• Proof of Concept: Willingness to complete test installations that build confidence before larger commitments

Long-Term Partnership Potential

The multi-phase nature of the Plum City renovation creates an ongoing partnership between PCS and the school district. As each phase proves successful, additional areas are added to the scope—allowing the district to systematically upgrade their entire facility while maintaining budget control and ensuring consistent quality throughout.

“We really embrace these community partnerships,” said Valitchka. “Rural schools are the heart of their communities, and helping them create safe, attractive, durable learning environments is work we’re proud to do. The enthusiasm from Plum City—’We love our Floors’—is exactly the kind of response that makes this work rewarding.”

The Plum City High School project exemplifies how specialized flooring expertise, combined with understanding of educational facility needs and small community dynamics, creates successful outcomes that benefit students, staff, and the broader community for years to come.