Johnston Board Discusses Revamped Construction Plans

Plans for facilities in the Johnston school district are beginning to take shape again.

The Johnston school board met for a work session Nov. 28 to discuss revised facility plans and options after the Sept. 11 bond issue failed by only about 200 votes.

The board spent most of the meeting hearing from school officials and architects about possible revisions to the district's plan for a new 10-12 grade high school, renovations to the current high school to house eighth- and ninth-grade students, renovations to the current middle school to serve students from Wallace Elementary and a district-wide pre-kindergarten program. The plan also called to repurpose Wallace for a district administrative center.

"We think they are reflective of what we've tried to accomplish working with our public and what we've heard," Superintendent Clay Guthmiller said of the revisions.

The revised plans for the proposed new high school include:

• Reduction of square footage of large collaborative and atrium areas
• Increase square footage of classrooms/academic areas
• Re‐design for better supervision of students
• Increase size of media center
• Two‐story academic wing structure
• Design to accommodate smaller learning communities, grade levels or houses
• Better access and security
• Increased proximity of specific programs to others
• Revised exterior design
• Possibility of expansion to 1,950 students

"We think it will be a markedly different looking building," Guthmiller said.

Dave Briden with FRK Architects said when the group revised the plan, one element of focus was to maintain the concept that was perviously worked on by community groups.

"This layout allows some of the shared spaces to be closer to academic wings," Briden said.

Julie Walter, board member, said she like the way the wings have changed.

"I don't want to lose the vision of being flexible 50 years from now," she said.

Guthmiller said the board would also have to determine how to deal with space issues at Wallace Elementary if the revised plan were to be selected.

"The biggest issue is safety," he said of the cramped gym space, when two classes take place at the same time, one must use the cafeteria. "They use the cafeteria for kindergarten and first-grade gym, they take out the tables and chairs."

Guthmiller said a cost estimate for the revised plan was not yet available, but should be by the board's next work session, Dec. 5.

The board still must determine if they will proceed with the revised plan and host another bond election or go with one of two alternative options.

The board is expected to make a decision on how to proceed with facility plans at the Dec. 10 regular meeting or a special meeting this month.

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