<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2i0Zvo_0vkvIKox00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2i0Zvo_0vkvIKox00" width="1200" height="630" >LE MARS — The second of three community information meetings about the Le Mars Community School District’s plans for a new elementary school and the bond issue needed to fund it drew more than 50 people to Kluckhohn Elementary Monday evening, Sept. 23.Superintendent Dr. Steve Webner presented information on how the district came to the decision to build a new elementary school, why it is needed, and the cost of financing of the project.“My goal tonight is to give you information,” Webner said. The decision for a new elementary comes after the school board in 2018 revised its 10-year facilities plan. They conducted a facilities study of all the buildings in the district.The board brought in ISG Inc., an architecture, engineering, environmental and planning company to work with the district in the process.That study found the three elementary buildings are aging. Clark and Franklin were built in 1939, and have had additions. Kluckhohn opened in 1971 and has had one addition.“We have a space issue,” Webner said.Numbers presented during his presentation showed Kluckhohn Elementary has an enrollment of 431 students, with a capacity for 376.Clark’s enrollment is 285, with a capacity for 257.At Franklin, enrollment is at 273, with a capacity for 237.In summary, the elementary schools have 989 students enrolled in facilities that have an 870 student capacity.As he pointed out, “We want to provide the best child learning environments for generations to come and we want to operate in the most efficient way possible.”Infrastructure at all three elementary buildings need to be upgraded. Those costs are $9.6 million for Clark; $10.9 million for Franklin, and $6.9 million for Kluckhohn.Webner pointed out however, that once you tear into a building, then it needs to be brought up to code.Webner also cited the city of Le Mars’ Community Development Plan, which proposes to increase the city’s population to 20,000 by 2045.“As a district we need to be prepared for that,” Webner said.The district currently has 2,100 students enrolled. With the city’s projections, that could increase student population, on the low end, to 3,500 students, or on the high end, 4,000 to 5,000 students.“As a school district, we can’t ignore that plan,” Webner said.The results from a community survey conducted in May showed district residents prefer to have one elementary building to house all students.Cost for the new school is estimated at $67.6 million, with a General Obligation Bond covering $49,970,000 of the cost.The remaining funds would come from SAVE (Statewide Sales Tax Revenue), which comes from the state, not property taxes.A tax rate of $2.42/$1,000 valuation would be needed to fund the bond.On Nov. 5, 2024, Le Mars Community School District voters will be asked to consider a general obligation bond of up to $49.97 million to fund building a new PreK-5th grade Elementary School to serve all of the district’s elementary students.Following a video presentation by Mike Gillespie of Piper Sandler, which assists school districts on bond issue financing, Webner said district property owners can go the school’s website, www.lemarscsd.org and click on the Tax Impact Calculator to find the value of their property.Webner fielded questions from the audience following the presentation.He was asked if a design for the school has been made.“No, we have not gotten into design,” Webner said. He indicated the school district did not want to spend money on architect fees until they know the bond issue passes.“If the bond issue passes, there will be community input and staff input on design, as well as student input,” Webner said.He pointed out the district already owns the land where the elementary school would be built. That land is located on the west side of Sixth Avenue Southwest, west of the baseball fields. The land currently serves as the cropland plot by the Le Mars FFA chapter.What will happen to the current buildings, was another question asked.“Again, we will wait on making any decisions, but the district will make a decision that is best for the community, students and school district,” Webner said.Possibilities are working with another government entity or sell to private developers. Other questions expressed concern about the Career &amp; Technical programs for the district and concerns for student safety with all elementary students in one building.Other questions centered on property taxes, with one person saying, “you’re taxing us to death.”How much additional capacity would be built into the new building, another asked.“Right now we have seven sections per grade level. In the new building there would be room for an additional section in each grade,” Webner explained.Those attending were able to tour the Kluckhohn building, to see how teachers have made classroom spaces work in a building without permanent walls.In a 1971 issue of the Le Mars Daily Sentinel, it was written, “There are two units to the building designed on the ‘open plan’ by Spitznagel Parters, Inc., in Sioux Falls. In the circular unit are 15 classrooms with no walls. Movable storage units divide the classrooms. Only the kindergarten room and special education room are enclosed.“The school office, rest rooms, maintenance and storage rooms are located in the center of the unit, clustered around the circular library at the heart of the building.“Contained in an adjoining rectangular unit are the gym, music departments, lunch room, kitchen, furnace and storage rooms.”The third informational meeting will be held at 6 p.m., Monday, Sept. 30, at Franklin Elementary.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

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LCS hosts second information meeting on new elementary school

LE MARS — The second of three community information meetings about the Le Mars Community School District’s plans for a new elementary school and the bond issue needed to fund it drew more than 50 people to Kluckhohn Elementary Monday evening, Sept. 23. Superintendent Dr. Steve Webner presented...