Ask Mr. Answer Person: a reader asks some critical questions about the proposal for a new elementary school

A reader has asked some tough questions about the proposed new elementary school facility in Decorah. His concerns included:  the cost of a new structure, the amount this might raise taxes, not considering the use of North Winn facilities, the recent remodeling of the high school that included a new gym that isn't any different than the old one, and the School Board pushing ahead with too much.

Mr. Answer Person will wind through the reader's concerns, based on Mr. A.P.'s knowledge and attendance at School Board meetings.

First, the one possible cost figure, which is VERY preliminary and was presented some time ago by StruXture Architects, was about $13 million. It was clear that the other renovation or quick fix options were totally out of the question in terms of addressing either current or long term needs. No figure in terms of increased taxes has been suggested, and would not be until a further plan is developed and bonding secured.

Mr. Answer Person notes that in regard to the new high school gym not being different than the old one, there is more to that comparison than gym to gym.  Naturally, there would be personal opinions about the difference (most, I am confident, including school officials, would think the new gym is a much better facility). But, more importantly the new gym was part of a comprehensive and staged renovation scheme that included significant and more efficient repurposing of the old gym space into a multipurpose cafeteria area, kitchen and storage space.

The North Winneshiek space, however useable for current students there, simply does not appear to adequately meet the future combined needs of North Winneshiek and Decorah.  There is limited space and beyond that, climate control and transportation would be major issues. Superintendent Haluska also cites projections for a growing Decorah elementary population.

And is the School Board pushing this too much?  Mr. Answer Person is convinced that a great deal of research has been done, specifically with StruXture Architects, that confirms the sad state of current elementary facilities.  We have reported on that process previously. But it is not just the School Board. The Board has invested the Shareholders Group of local citizens to explore the state of elementary facilities and their recommendation to the Board was very clear that they should proceed in further research and planning for a new facility.

Of course, the reality of addressing needs is figuring out how to pay for it.