1,200-Seat Auditorium Sought in Proposed Johnston High School

A larger performing arts auditorium could be a make or break detail when it comes to the Sept. 11 bond referendum for a .

Several community members and parents spoke in support of a 1,200-seat auditorium as part of the proposed building at Monday's school board meeting.

Peg Rasmussen asked the board to think of the future.

"What do we need in the future?" she asked. "If we build a 900-seat auditorium we are building for today, we already have that, why bother? I think it will be a deal breaker."

The board previously discussed whether the 1,200-seat auditorium proposed by the facilities committee or a 900-seat auditorium would be sufficient in the new school.

Staff determined the auditorium is only filled to capacity 20 percent of the time, but when it's full, it's standing room only, supporters said Monday night.

Rasmussen recalled attending a junior high concert where grandparents had to stand against the walls.

The larger auditorium is estimated to cost an additional $1.7 million.

Tim Kline, director of building and grounds, said the project was already over budget because of square footage.

"It's tight. Is it doable? Probably," he said of planning for the 1,200-seat auditorium.

While some board members questioned the sound quality of a larger auditorium, Kline said Perkins & Wills, the contracted for the new high school, would be of the utmost quality.

Kline said staff and architects would sit down if the bond passes in September to determine what needs to give, if anything, in order for the larger auditorium to be built and keep the project on budget.

District patrons will vote in a . The project is just a portion of a $122.3 million project that includes a new high school and renovations to the current high school, middle school and Wallace elementary.

At the end of the discussion the board agreed to proceed with a 1,200-seat auditorium concept.

The district will also continue to explore building a new stadium at the proposed high school location, rather than renovate the current stadium.

While the renovations for the current stadium had already been approved, the scope of the work and cost for the project were comparable to building a new stadium.