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Shareholders recommend new construction for Pre-K through grade 2 building needs.

Posted: Mon, Jan 13, 2014 11:20 PM

"The message is clear." That is what School Board Chair Ron Fadness said after hearing the report of Mark Lovelace and Andy Bonnet who represented the Decorah Shareholders at the Monday night board meeting.

Citing the 2009 StruXture Architects report that found both West Side and John Cline buildings to be seriously below established standards, and adding to that the recent StruXtures report that outlined three options to address the Pre-K through 2 needs, the Shareholders advised the board that they should proceed with the next steps to pursue construction of a new facility.

Three concepts drove their assessment and recommendations: 1) educational advocacy for staff and students, 2) safety and security, and 3) room for growth.  It was also assumed that any plan should really be considered a "50 year plan" for facilities.

They readily dismissed the "quick fix" $3 million repair option as addressing none of the above concepts. The second option from StruXture was a $9 million renovation plan. That was seen as failing to meet the above concepts also, and failing to meet any potential growth in the district numbers (which appears to be likely). There is also a major risk that as a renovation begins, multiple changes would need to be made to original plans to address surprises and meet compliance issues.

Bonnet said that they went into the assessment process and tried to walk in the doors (referring to their building tours) with an open mind. "But we walked in and felt the doors were slammed in our face." He then detailed a wide range of problems and inadequacies that are disguised by reasonably appearing building exteriors.  Some of those concerns included: lack of natural lighting, poor air quality, lack of space and shared space opportunity, programs being driven shared cafeteria and gym, and seriously lacking noise and climate control systems.  Bonnet also noted that the kitchens are seriously inadequate and only provide warming ovens that ultimately limit food preparation options (like using local foods) and that could increase health risks. Bonnet and Lovelace both highlighted other concerns, specifically noting seriously inadequate special needs facilities.

They said the committee did not feel it their role to fully address the implications of the North Winneshiek situation. They noted some space opportunities there, but did not consider it to be viable as a long term district option. The current discussion about the City of Decorah and the construction of a recreation center did surface as an opportunity for the City and Decorah Schools to explore as a shared space venture.

The next step will be for the board to follow up and make the public aware of the recommendations, beginning with town hall meetings and tours of the existing facilities that would highlight the problems and limitations of the current facilities.