Published: January 13, 2009 09:07 am      

Task force wants new middle school

CLINTON — Representatives of the Facilities Task Force appeared before the Clinton School Board during Monday's regular meeting to recommend that the district construct a new centrally located middle school building to accommodate all of its secondary students.

Facilities Task Force Chairwoman Jean Buikema told the board that after more than two years of looking at options for upgrading the district’s aging middle and high school facilities, the group is recommending that “one new middle school be built” on a large site that provides the “most accessible and reasonable location.”

The task force held a series of forums last year to solicit public opinion on two options for improving the middle schools, which explored making extensive repairs and renovations to the Washington and Lyons middle school buildings, versus the construction of a brand new facility to house all students.

The task force also has outlined plans for additions and upgrades at Clinton High School, including much needed improvements to the pool, as well as the addition of air conditioning at the two remaining elementary schools.

“It is a natural progression now that our elementary schools are in really good shape to go on and look at the middle and high schools,” said School Board President Thea Engelson.

The task force’s recommendation will be placed as an action item for consideration by the board during the February business meeting.

Later in the meeting, Superintendent Richard Basden pointed out that, while all districts in Iowa currently are suffering under statewide budget cuts, the funds from the recently approved renewal of the one-cent sales tax “cannot be used for anything but renovation, construction and improvement” of facilities.

“It can’t go back in to improve our deficit,” Basden explained. “We need to stress that these are not operational funds.”

Basden added that new and improved facilities would go toward helping the district’s bottom line by slashing maintenance and utility costs.

He asked that board members get together to discuss the recommendation of the facilities task force, and a meeting was scheduled for Monday.