Revised Johnston High School Project Could Lower Cost by $10 Million

The Johnston school board is whittling away to possible options for facilities, while also whittling down the price.

The board continued to discuss a revised high school design during a work session on Wednesday.

The revised plan, which was first discussed on Nov. 28, would cut nearly $2 million from the cost of the high school project.

Another $8 million could be trimmed from the project by removing athletic upgrades. The athletic project could be phased in when the district is financially ready.

The entire project is estimated to cost $112 million and includes:

• New high school built on land currently owned by the district (north of 62nd Avenue and west of 100th Street) ‐ $81 million ‐ 2016
• Renovation to existing high school to house eighth- and ninth-grade students ‐ $4 million ‐ 2016
• Renovation of the existing Johnston Middle School on 62nd Avenue to house elementary students by moving Wallace Elementary to that building, along with district preschool. ‐ $16 million ‐ 2017
• FFE ‐ $6 million - Renovation of the existing Wallace Elementary to meet district needs ‐ $5 million ‐ 2018

The original plan came with a $121 million price tag, including a $51 million bond issue that failed on Sept. 11.

The revised high school project, which includes 450,000 square feet, would come at a cost of about $200 per square foot.

A district presentation compared the cost to the construction of Ankeny High School at 275,000 square feet, which today would cost roughly $190 per square foot.

Superintendent Clay Guthmiller said an exact number to be bonded for the revised plan was not yet available, but would be lower, the Des Moines Register reported.

The board could still decide between the above option or two other.

The second option includes additions or renovations to current buildings, while building a new elementary. The plan would cost an estimated $80.7 million.

The third option includes a 9-12 campus high school and the building of a new elementary and new 6-8 grade middle school. The total cost is estimated to be $106.7 million.

The board is expected to make a decision on how to move forward with plan and if a bond issue should occur April 2 or June 25 of next year during the Dec. 10 regular board meeting.

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

• More Details Sought as Community Discusses Failed Johnston School Bond Issue
• How Should Johnston School District Proceed After Failed Bond Issue?
• Johnston Board Discusses Steps After Bond Failure
• $51-Million Bond Issue Fails in Johnston