Johnston School Board Votes to Pursue New High School, Renovations Again

Plans for the future of Johnston school district facilities began to take shape Monday evening.

The Johnston school board voted to once again pursue a new high school and renovation of existing buildings to manage increased enrollment and expand space for educational programs.

The plan will likely require a bond issue in 2013, but a date was not set on Monday.

Board member Marci Cordero said she believed the plan addressed three key topics discussed at community meetings: cost, design and communication.

The plan, while still fluid in areas, resembles one put forth during a bond issue in September. That issue failed by less than 200 votes.

The revised plan, which comes at an estimated price tag of $112 million, still reflects ideas developed by several community committees.

The revised plans for the proposed high school include moving from a three-story design to a two-story building, increased square footage for classrooms and academic areas, a reduction in large collaborative and atrium areas and better access and security.

While the scaled-back plans remove construction of new athletic facilities - to cut $8 million from the plan - Superintendent Clay Guthmiller said the facilities could be constructed in a second phase.

The issue came down to wants versus needs for board member Greg Dockum.

"It comes back to what we heard at the community," he said. "I want a new football stadium with the new high school, but do we need it? We have a stadium right now. It's not ideal, but we have it."

Board member Julie Walter said the plan better addresses the future of the district than an option to add a new elementary and additions.

"What got me excited with coming up with the plan - it would last the district a long time," she said. "If we continued to add on it would satisfy (district needs) for four to five years, then we're back in the same position in six years. How are our dollars going to be spent for the long range?"

Board member John Dutcher opposed the motion to proceed with the plan for a new high school and renovations to the current high school, middle school and Wallace elementary because of a lack of details.

"I don't feel like I have enough information to form a decision," he said. "I don't feel I have the details on the high school or renovations of option two. I feel the board is owed more information."

Dockum said he felt the decision to move forward with the plan supports what the community expressed interest in during committee meetings and the previous bond issue.

The board will meet next week to further discuss the financial aspects of the plan.

For additional stories on the Johnston School District bond issue and facility plans see past coverage:

• Revised Johnston High School Project Could Lower Cost by $10 Million
• Johnston Board Discusses Revamped Construction Plans
• More Details Sought as Community Discusses Failed Johnston School Bond Issue