Letter to the Editor: Proposed Johnston High School is Needed

For more than two years, students have served on various district committees including the Building Facilities Committee, 9-12 Campus Feasibility Charette, Two High School Study Committee, and Student Facilities Workshop Group. A common thread that wove itself through all of these committees is the changing face of education, especially in just the past decade.

We need school buildings that can fully take advantage of the most recent education research. This includes developing future buildings to incorporate small learning communities, collaborative areas for both students and staff, and flexible spaces that maximize building efficiency.

School district enrollment was around 1,000 students when the 8/9 building and the high school were built. The most recent enrollment projections show district enrollment reaching 7,300 students by 2020. The 8/9 building and high school cannot currently accommodate that increase in students. The question is not whether we need additional facilities, but whether we will address the shortage of space with a solution by constructing and renovating new buildings -- or simply applying band-aids by constructing additions to our current buildings and using portable classrooms when needed.

There were 4 students on the High School Vision committee, and another 36 who gave their input through the Student Focus Group, on the design of the new high school.  As two of the students who were a part of this process, we, along with staff and students, understand that this current high school is not accommodating for current class sizes, nor will it be adequate for future growth.

We encourage all district residents to get out on Tuesday, September 11 and vote for the Johnston bond referendum.

Sincerely,

Katie Marckmann, student body president
4901 Crestmoor Dr., Des Moines, IA 50310

Jon Caracci, junior class president
8401 Blackstone, Johnston, IA 50131