Enrollment up at Decorah schools as classes begin

High School main entrance

Decorah Community Schools will open Thursday, and maybe with lots of new students. Superintendent Mike Haluska told the School Board Monday night that "if everybody shows up, we anticipate enrollment to be up in all buildings. Between the high school and middle school we could be up 25 students."  Numbers have continued to climb and even forced last minute classroom shuffling for teachers at West Side School in order for the building to be in compliance with mandated student space requirements.

There are always changes as the school year begins, but the obvious ones will be seen at the high school.  Students will be greeted by a new controlled front entrance and central office area (reception, administration, conference rooms, school nurse, guidance offices, workrooms, and teachers lounge) that were just completed this summer.  Other "new spaces" include completed first floor and second floor classrooms, new corridor lockers, the new gym and locker rooms, a new woodshop, welding and small gas engines classrooms, and a new greenhouse. During the year there will be a "domino effect" as additional classroom spaces are completed.

Administrators report the State Fire Marshal visited last Friday to approve use of the new spaces. Renovation work is reported to be ahead of schedule. The fitness room is scheduled for opening in late September or October. A big mid-year change will be the kitchen and cafeteria completion during the Christmas break. The entire renovation project is scheduled for completion by next August.

New greenhouse highligts building front

Central office reception area

Shiny hallways and new lockers

Ready for volleyball!