Meeker to be Replaced on Site if Voters Say Yes

Water leaks in School's basement, like in most   buildings.

In fact water rises as much as four feet deep in the boiler room of the 60-year-old building, according to a State of the District Properties Report presented to the board in November. The media center and the auditorium fail to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. Asbestos is present in some building materials and lead paint probably is too, the report said.

Rebuilding a new Meeker on the same location is part of the $55 million bond referendum voters will be asked to decide Tuesday.

Meeker, a three-section elementary school, was built in 1951 and has had three additions since. The latest came in 1975. This is one of the buildings where the main entrance is far from the front office posing a security issue.

According to the facilities report, the building's sloped roof is in good shape, but its kitchen is crowded and mobile equipment is used in a hallway.

In a May 2011 report, StruXture Architects recommended building a new school on the same property for $12.8 million. Current plans call for building a three section school on the same site in March of 2014.

The April 3 ballot question follows below:

“Shall the Board of Directors of the Ames Community Schools in the County of Story, State of Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $55,000,000 to provide funds to build, furnish, and equip elementary school buildings and improve the sites therefore at the District property on the current Fellows Elementary site, the current Meeker Elementary site, and District property on Miller Avenue; and to reconstruct, repair, improve, remodel, furnish and equip the Mitchell and Sawyer elementary buildings and sites?”