A new elementary school on Luther College's prairie property?

(Photo courtesy of Luther College)

Luther College has entered into discussions with the Decorah Community School District about the possibility of locating an elementary school on part of Anderson Prairie at the northeast corner of College Drive and Ridge Road, across from the Decorah Municipal Swimming Pool.
 
"Luther's partnerships with the Decorah Community School District and the City of Decorah are important to the success of this community," said Luther vice president for finance and administration Eric Runestad. 

College leadership, in consultation with Luther's Land Use committee, considered the varying interests of the college and its stakeholders in reaching the decision to make land conditionally available for a new elementary school.

Runestad cited three major benefits to the college. The proposed location would give Luther students convenient access to student teaching and elementary observation opportunities and would provide elementary students with ready access to the natural prairie. For Luther employees with children in elementary school, the proposed site would provide a simple connection for transportation and school day interaction.

Construction at the proposed site also presents the possibility of improvements to the Decorah Municipal Swimming Pool parking lot and increased pedestrian safety at the intersection of Ridge Road and College Drive.

"I'm pleased that the college and the school district are discussing this partnership to explore possible benefits for the entire community," said Luther College President Paula Carlson.

Decorah School District officials are considering several possible locations for a new elementary school. Future discussions of the prairie site could include plans for a long-term lease of the land.

Planted in 1988 and expanded in 1998, Anderson Prairie is a 27-acre reconstructed tallgrass prairie that prior to 1988 was used for row-crop agriculture by the college farm.