Facilities Questions Remain After Johnston Schools Public Information Meeting

Johnston school district taxpayers raised concerns Wednesday about why land for a new high school hasn't been purchased and what the gameplan is for creating new athletic fields.

About 30 people attended an informational meeting to learn about the district's construction plans, which include building a new high school, repurposing several budding and constructing a sixth elementary school in 2014.

The meeting focused on informing district residents of the proposal to build a new tenth- to 12th-grade high school building, and move the eighth- and ninth-grade classes to the current high school.

District Trying to Buy Land for School Sites

Brian Soli, who has a second-grader and a fourth-grader at , was concerned the district hasn't secured the land needed for new buildings.

"I'm a little troubled that we don't have the land locked down yet," he said. "If we don't do that immediately it puts the matter at risk because there is little alternative."

Superintendent Clay Guthmiller told the crowd of about 30 people that the district had put an near 100th Street.

The purchase of the land, at nearly $5.75 million, could be used for a number of school facilities, including a six elementary school or high school.

The school board supports construction of an estimated $75 million, . If plans continue to move forward, including a fall 2012 bond referendum, the building would be finished in the summer of 2015.

The district's sixth elementary school, which was put on hold earlier this year, could potentially also fit on the land.

Guthmiller later pointed out a new high school would require 75 to 100 acres, while a new elementary would require 20 to 25 acres.

"The board really has to look at the options," Guthmiller said of other sites, noting Johnston is essentially land locked.

The area previously planned for a sixth elementary school north of 70th Street and Crosshaven could be an option for building, he said, if roads and development come to the area.

Questions on Athletic Facilities

Another topic of concern for Soli and other audience members was athletic facilities if the new high school is built across town.

Guthmiller said the current stadium would be used for football and soccer games.

"As far as baseball, we're not sure about that, we have nice facilities here, but at the property we have the opportunity to replicate on site," he said.

Guthmiller said the district is already planning to renovate the current stadium with additional seating and new bathrooms.

"That's a little soft," Soli said of plans for athletic facilities. "They should have a clear decision made to how they will manage that piece. That is so important to so many parents of kids. How is this stadium going to be used and what things are they going to do to accommodate athletics?"

No solid plans have been laid out for the use of the current middle school. Initial talks involved moving students from Wallace Elementary to the middle school following renovations. Wallace would then be re-purposed for a variety of possible district uses.

The issues of use for the current middle school and Wallace Elementary will be at the forefront of a school board work session at 4 p.m. Monday before a scheduled regular board meeting.