This webpage was designed to provide an update of information as we work together to plan our district’s future in the area of facility space so that our students can continue to have a quality environment to enhance their learning.
In April 1914, several small rural schools joined together to form what is now the 14th largest school district in the state of Iowa. The district has been increasing in student population every year. (certified enrollment history) The district currently works with RSP, a planning consultant, as to enrollment projections for our district (enrollment projections) and growth areas geographically within our district (potential growth map).
Facilities to house our growing student population are the responsibility of our community members. Education has always been an important focus for our community with high expectations placed on student learning and this is evidenced through passage of bonds as a funding source for our quality facilities (facility funding history).
Over the years, numerous committees made up of parents, staff, board members and administrators have come together to work on facility needs, plans and designs for all of our school buildings. (district facility history) Currently, committees have been working on projected facility needs to carry our district through the next ten plus years (future facility needs) based on enrollment projections and current building capacity.
Current Facility Projects
Lawson Elementary School
In 2010, work began on an expansion to the south side of Lawson Elementary. Eight classrooms have been added through this expansion. In addition, some interior work to move classrooms and kitchen renovation will be completed during the summer of 2012.
Summit Middle School
In 2011, an 8 room portable was moved to the east side of Summit to accommodate students while one wing of the building (Mission Wing) has a second floor added to that wing. This project should be completed for the 2012/2013 school year.
Wallace Elementary
Plans for renovation of this school building are still to be determined as the board finalizes the ten-year facility plan.
Timber Ridge Addition Approved by board
At the March 26, 2012 board meeting, the board approved moving forward and taking bids for an addition to Timber Ridge Elementary that would create a 5-section school to provide additional elementary classroom space to help accommodate future enrollment, programming and the district's overall facility plan. The addition would involve two classrooms being added to each of the three community wings for a total of six classrooms. The original building plan allowed for this type of an addition for classroom space. The estimated cost is $1.1 million. Construction document approval would take place in May with a June bid date. The anticipated project completion date would be May 2013.
New Sixth Elementary
Once the final ten-year plan is approved, a timeline will be set for the anticipated year that a sixth elementary would be needed.
Secondary Facility Plans
As a result of a variety of community study committees and their recommendations, the board authorized the administration in November 2011 to move forward with the planning for a new 10-12 high school and the moving of grades 8/9 to the current high school. The district will repurpose the current 8/9 Johnston Middle School building to meet other district needs. Those needs could include a PreK-5 elementary school, early childhood center, an Alternative Education Center for grades 9-12 or district administrative offices. A bond referendum would be needed to accommodate these changes and a September 2012 date is anticipated. The board purchased 125 acres of land south of 70th Avenue and north of 62nd Avenue and to the west of 100th Street.
High School Design and Development Committee
The Johnston Community School District asked for individuals to assist in the development and design of the proposed new grades 10 through12 high school. Over 50 people are now involved with FRK/Perkins & Will Architects who are facilitating a series of workshops with this representative group of district stakeholders over the course of this spring. The meetings are designed to receive feedback from district staff, parents, students, administrators and patrons regarding educational programming for the proposed new high school as well as the overall design for the facility. Parent and community input is essential to the planning process for the proposed new high school. If you know any of the team members, please talk to them about this process or you may contact the superintendent via email at cguthmiller@johnston.k12.ia.us with your thoughts/concerns/suggestions.
The first two-day session was held on February 22 and 23 and started the process where the team explored and defined the primary project goals and design drivers that will eventually end in a design concept.
The second two-day workshop with the Design and Development team continued on March 13 and 14. The team heard from the student representatives about a focus group that was held with over 40 high school students on their vision of what a new high school could and should be like. The team then processed in small and large groups about the square footage needs for various spaces and how spaces could be organized to support an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to teaching and learning.
Secondary Facility History
A District Facilities Committee started over a year ago with a group of parents, staff and students who studied enrollment projections, grade alignment, and reviewed current and future facility space needs. The committee’s recommendations included realigning middle schools to include grades 6-7-8 and creating a 9-12 high school utilizing the current Johnston Middle School and Johnston High School buildings. (presentation to the board -November 8, 2010 and presentation to the board-June 28, 2010)
Extensive work completed by committee members and DLR Group, architectural consultants, through a two-day planning conference was done in October, 2010 toward determining the feasibility of a 9-12 high school. (planning conference information)
Two public meetings were held, one on January 27 (presentation to community) and the second on March 1, 2011 (presentation to community). Through discussion and questions of those present, it was determined that there was an interest to keep the option open for two high schools in the future. (two high school study plan) A committee is being brought together to study this future option. Their first meeting will be Tuesday, March 29.
On July 11, 2011 two reports were presented to the school board. DLR Group presented results of committee and planning work in regards to the feasibility of combining the existing JMS and JHS into one campus. (presentation to board). Superintendent Guthmiller, along with committee members, presented information concerning the two high school study committee and their process (presentation to board).
On Wednesday, December 7th, Superintendent Guthmiller provided an overview of the plans to those in attendance at the Public Community Informational Meeting on Facilities Planning. (presentation).
Superintendent Guthmiller presents at community meeting.
Next Steps
The board has approved moving forward with plans and will continue to:
- finalize cost estimates and financing options (which will probably include Fall 2012 bond referendum)
- finalize planning schedule options
- plan for Phase 1 (new 10-12 high school and prepare 8/9 to move to current high school facility)
- plan and finalize future building usage for Johnston Middle School and Wallace Elementary
Your Involvement
Superintendent Clay Guthmiller can be emailed at cguthmiller@johnston.k12.ia.us and invites you to send your thoughts, questions and ideas.
Watch the board of education agenda (link to agendas via eboard) and attend board meetings when presentations are given or decisions are being made.
Talk to your school board members or email them (link to board member page) with your input.
Attend upcoming community meetings in regards to facility planning. Information will be posted on the district website front page under district news and on this facilities planing page. Feedback from parents, staff and public is always welcome.
