Lots of discussion at a meeting of Decorah City Council, Decorah Park Board, Decorah Planning and Zoning Commission and Decorah School Board members about the proposed new elementary school

There was a lot of discussion Tuesday night at a joint meeting of city and school district officials to study the need for a new elementary school in Decorah.

The Decorah School Board has asked the city to sell it the city-owned softball diamond property as the site of a new school.  City officials have been reluctant to give up the property because of the city's own property needs.

City Planning & Zoning Commission member Nathan Thompson told school officials the city needs to study the issue because "Our decisions will have an impact for an entire generation."  Park Board member Shirley Vermace agreed, asking, "What do we want Decorah to look like in 2050?" and adding, "This is our last chance right now."

But Decorah School Board member Brian Petersburg told city officials, "We have looked at every single place in Decorah," adding, "If it doesn't go here (downtown), it will go out in the country."

That didn't stop suggestions for other properties to be considered.  The former Creamery property was suggested, but school officials say that is 4.6 acres versus 8.1 acres at John Cline School and also has high levels of truck traffic.  The city's suggestion of tearing up the high school softball and baseball diamonds was rejected by school officials as not having enough space as well.

A couple of Planning & Zoning Commission members asked about the offer of property near Vennejhem.  Brian Cook asked why the future growth of Decorah wasn't being taken into consideration.  Stan Moellers said, "I see a lot of schools built out in the country—soon the homes will follow." 

Towards the end of the meeting, several local officials suggested taking a comprehensive look at all of the property north of Water Street in downtown Decorah, including Heivly Drive and the Day Spring Lane parking lot.  The hope is that by making comprehensive changes downtown, both the city and school district can have their space needs met.