Johnston School Board Sets Work Session to Discuss Facilty Plans

The  took another step toward plans for a new high school and re-purposing three other buildings on Monday evening.

While the step, setting a work session for Nov. 2, is small, it isn't insignificant.

"Wednesday will be all about 'is this the direction we want to go'?" said Superintendent Clay Guthmiller.

The work session could shed more light on the possible purchase of 125 acres west of Northwest 100th Street and north of Northwest 62nd Avenue as the site for a new high school.

Guthmiller said the district is investigating the site, including whether the land includes wetlands.

The work session will serve as a way for board members and administrators to get down to specifics.

The session will tackle recommendations outlined at a Sept. 28 board work session. 

The recommendations included:

• Building a new high school housing grades 10-12 at an estimated cost of $75 million,
• Remodeling the existing high school to house grades 8-9,
• Remodeling Johnston Middle School to house students currently at Wallace Elementary School at an estimated cost of $2.5 million,
• Re-purposing Wallace Elementary to potentially house the school’s administrative office, preschool students, or an alternative school.

Several issues still need finalized before the district can proceed with facility plans.

Those issues include:

• road construction needs to the property

• final cost estimates

• architectural service contracts

• financial schedules in regards to bonds or referendums

The board work session will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at the District Offices.

In other business the board of education:

• Approved a contract with LRG Prep, LLC to grant a non-exclusive right and license to use the district's name, mascots, logos, designs and graphics on apparel. The district will receive a minimum royalty of 50 percent of revenues from sale of merchandise. There was no estimate on the revenue expected from the agreement.

• Approved a Peer Partner Art elective course for students with disabilities and without disabilities. The program would provide varied art activities for students with special disabilities at their education and sensory levels. Students without disabilities are given the opportunity to work with those who have the education and social challenges of sensory deprivation, mental cognition and physical limitations. The goal is to bridge a gap between students with and without disabilities.