How Should Johnston School District Proceed After Failed Bond Issue?

A little more than a month after a $51 million bond issue failed in the Johnston Community School District, district leaders are seeking residents' input on the future.

The district will host two meetings for residents to share ideas on how the district might proceed with plans to accommodate growing enrollments and update facilities.

The district currently has an estimated enrollment of 6,599 students in pre-kindergarten to 12th grade.

One option is to once again hold a bond election as soon as April 2, 2013.

The first community meeting will take place at 7 p.m. today at Johnston Middle School. The second will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 29 at Summit Middle School.

The meetings are a way for voters to share feedback regarding the $51 million bond issue, which failed to receive the 60-percent approval needed to pass on Sept. 11.

The bond issue, which would have been used to build a a new high school, was one element in a $123 million facility plan in the district.

The plan included renovating the existing high school to house eighth- and ninth-graders, renovating the current middle school to house student at Wallace Elementary and an all-district preschool, and renovating Wallace to house the district administrative offices.

The Johnston school board will likely make a final decision on the next steps of the facilities project at the Nov. 19 regular board meeting.

District leaders encourage all Johnston school district residents to attend the meetings on Oct. 18 or Oct. 29 to share their feedback and concerns with district officials. Feedback can also be shared via an anonymous online form or by calling the district office at 515-278-0470.

See more stories on the $51 million bond issue and proposed new high school:

• Letter to the Editor: Johnston Area Education Association Backs Bond Election
• Letter to the Editor: Proposed Johnston High School is Needed
• What Could Johnston's Proposed $75 Million High School Look Like? Take a Peek
• Have Questions on $51 Million Vote? Johnston Schools to Hold Public Forums to Answer Them
• $51 Million Bond Issue to Be Decided By Johnston School District Voters