CONCEPTUAL PLAN
The City of Decorah's North Alley District Master Plan, presented in February 2023, includes designated space for the new elementary school. Some of the benefits of constructing the school at this site include:
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An opportunity to improve traffic flow, parking, and pedestrian safety around both the elementary school and the high school.
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Proximity to the high school provides opportunities for savings, including efficient food service operations, staff sharing, and transportation.
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More curricular opportunities for interaction between high school and elementary students.
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The city's parks and recreation program would have access to an additional gymnasium located near its offices.
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This school would improve the appearance of one of the most visible areas of the community.
In October 2023, DCSD purchased land from the City of Decorah adjacent to John Cline Elementary School, in an area known as Heivly Island, with the intention of it becoming the home of a future elementary school to replace John Cline and West Side Early Childhood Center.
The decision to pursue the construction of a new school is the culmination of approximately 16 years of facility assessments, discussion, and planning. DCSD partnered with Emergent Architecture to develop plans for the proposed school.
The parameters for 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 would accommodate pre-kindergarten through second grade, with a six-section layout, and additional space for a seventh classroom 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.