Creating opportunities
for lifelong learning

Have you engaged with the community about this project?

Yes. A community survey that generated more than 1,100 responses was conducted in April to gather valuable feedback from district residents about the potential construction of a new elementary school to replace John Cline and West Side. More than 76% of the survey's respondents said they would support such a project, while 15.4% said they would not support the project and 8.1% said they were unsure.​

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We will continue to provide information through community meetings, on DCSD's Facebook page​, email messages to district families, and mailers ahead of election day.

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What would the new school feature?

The proposed school would include essential design and operational elements that define its size, layout, and the types of spaces needed to meet educational and community needs. These include the building's total square footage, the number of classrooms, spaces for both large and small-group learning, and specialized areas like media centers and lunchrooms. Security features, natural light, and air quality provisions are also key considerations.

 

The design would accommodate future enrollment growth, ensure accessibility, and integrate with surrounding community amenities, such as parking, recreational spaces, and safety measures like separate access points for buses and parent vehicles. It should be noted that we are not yet in the design phase, so a specific location for a specific kindergarten room has not been determined.

 

The proposed elementary school would feature modern designs, enhanced security, increased natural light, and additional space. This 90,000-square-foot facility is designed for five sections, with a Flex/STEM room for grades K-2. This would allow for six sections in any grade to adapt to fluctuating enrollment. The building is designed to support both large and small-group learning, with dedicated rooms for these purposes, eliminating the need for small groups to work in hallways.

 

An ample media space would be included, along with a learning commons that would double as the cafeteria and a space for community outreach. The gymnasium would be appropriately sized for competitions, practices, and community recreational leagues, and would include a performance area for concerts and events. To enhance safety, parent vehicle access would be separated from bus drop-off. Parking access would be improved near the high school to better support events, tennis courts, green spaces, and playground areas.

 

The building would be designed to take advantage of views, meet modern security standards, and promote occupant well-being through attention to air quality, water, nourishment, lighting, fitness, comfort, and mental wellness. The additional space in the new building is crucial to accommodate a modern learning environment and meet the needs of the students. The larger spaces would also benefit the community by providing a versatile venue for meetings and recreational activities.

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Will there be a second floor on the proposed elementary school?

First, there is a second floor in the new school plan, designated specifically for second graders. This design choice reflects best practices in early childhood education, as it's typically not recommended for younger students to navigate stairs frequently.

 

Did the district consider building the new elementary off River Street by Carrie Lee and the Middle School?

The district evaluated this option but found that the available space west of the middle school is insufficient. Specifically, there are only about 2.7 acres behind the middle school, which is currently used for essential activities like practice fields and gardens. For a new elementary school, more land is necessary to accommodate the building, parking, and playgrounds, and the Heivly Island area offers the needed 8.3 acres.

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​How will the proposed location affect traffic?

One of the many benefits of the downtown location near John Cline is the ability to provide multiple egress pathways for vehicles. By their nature, traffic patterns around schools are often challenging. Claiborne Drive, being one of the widest streets in town, is able to accommodate double-sided parking, two-way traffic, and the queuing of school traffic. That said, moving the school a little farther to the west would provide an opportunity to reduce vehicle queuing and improve congestion through the corridor.

 

This location is also situated so that most “normal” traffic flow can avoid the area entirely. Traffic that is not associated with the school(s) can bypass streets where temporary congestion may be occurring. Putting the school in another location would not necessarily lead to a reduction in congestion issues as much as it would transfer the problem to a different location—and in some cases actually make the problem worse.

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While another proposed location does not currently exist, locations that have been evaluated have fewer egress options and would likely lead to increased disruptions in normal traffic flow.

 

Did the district consider using the North Winneshiek facilities?

The district explored the possibility of using the North Winneshiek building, which was obtained when the two districts merged in 2018. However, that building is of the same vintage as John Cline and has its own infrastructure shortcomings that do not allow it to accommodate three grades of students with five sections, plus classrooms for pre-kindergarten.

 

There would also be scheduling issues and the added cost of transporting students to that campus, which in 2015 had an estimated cost of more than $71,000 annually.​

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What is the plan for West Side after the new school is built?

Once West Side Earlh Childhood Center is no longer needed after a new elementary school is built, the district plans to explore various options, including potentially selling the property. This decision aligns with the new legislation allowing public school districts to sell old school buildings.

 

Maintaining an empty school incurs costs, such as heating and maintenance, prompting the district to evaluate its options carefully. During the Board meeting on September 9, 2024, it was discussed that keeping the building would not be prudent given the associated expenses, and the board acknowledged that a formal process would need to be followed to sell the building.

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Is DCSD exploring grant opportunities to help fund the project?

Yes. The district and our team of consultants are committed to exploring all available funding sources to help offset project costs. Pending a successful referendum our team will pursue grant opportunities, including those available through the Inflation Reduction Act.

 

This federal legislation provides funding for energy efficiency improvements, green building initiatives, and other infrastructure enhancements that could potentially align with our project.

 

Our consultants are also reviewing additional grant programs and other sources of financial assistance to ensure we maximize external funding opportunities; making our money go even further!.

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How would an approved bond affect property taxes?

If voters approve the bond in November, property taxpayers would see an impact of $0.86 per year on every $1,000 of taxable property value.

 

For a home with a value of $250,000, the monthly tax impact would be $7.96 (or $95 per year). For agricultural property with a value of $1 million, the monthly tax increase is estimated at $51.48.​

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DCSD has a history of respecting the needs of our property taxpayers. Since 2014, the district's overall tax levy rate has declined by more than 26% from $16.71 per $1,000 of taxable property value to $12.31.