School district to have open houses and tours – Marshall Independent

Local News

Mar 21, 2017

MARSHALL Along with a community meeting, Marshall Public School community open house and tours have been scheduled to provide information and answers regarding the referendum vote on April 18.

The community open houses and tours are scheduled on two different occasions 9-11 a.m. on Thursday and 5-7 p.m. on March 27. The tours provide an opportunity to learn more about the needs within the district. It allows time to observe the school buildings firsthand in addition to asking questions. Tours will be provided by building administrators and school board members.

Weve got open houses and indoor tours at all of the buildings Park Side, West Side, the middle school, the high school, MPS Superintendent Scott Monson said. We just really want people to come out and see the sights.

The community meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on March 29 at the MPS district office school board meeting room at MMS.

The Marshall School Board is asking voters to consider approving a $39.4 million building bond referendum. An additional question will also be on the ballot, asking whether or not a $1.25 million renovation of the unused swimming pool area should be made into a multi-purpose space at the Marshall Middle School.

Weve talked before about how, if you dont have students or children enrolled in the district, you may not have been in some of the buildings for a number of years and theres a lot to celebrate and we want people to see the great things going on as well sometimes when you can see the buildings and what were talking about when you can see those things visually, it makes a difference. Monson said. It ultimately helps everyone become a more informed voter, and thats really what our efforts have been focused on.

During a comprehensive Facilities Study Committee process from which students, staff, parents and community members gave input four primary priorities were identified. Those needs the reasons for the referendum are: safety and security at each school building, increased space and opportunities for early childhood education, additional classroom space to accommodate increasing student enrollment at all grade levels and increased space and courses for career and technical education.

Growing enrollment has been a driving force in need for the referendum vote. In 2010, district-wide enrollment was recorded at 2,139 students. In 2013, student enrollment was at 2,240. In 2016, MPS enrollment had grown to 2,459 students. Demographic studies show that the district enrollment will continue growing for many years to come.

If the referendum is approved, Park Side Elementary School would be converted to a pre-K through first-grade building, with nine kindergarten rooms, nine first-grade rooms, seven early childhood rooms, one Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) room and one Early Childhood Special Education room (ECSE). That would involve adding 7,200 square feet, remodeling 12,300 square feet and constructing a safe and secure front entrance, totaling $4.5 million.

West Side Elementary School would be sold or repurposed if the referendum is approved. A new elementary school for grades 2-4 which would be built on the Marshall Middle School site would be built, totaling $21.9 million.

The new building would consist of 81,500 square feet, which includes 27 classrooms and a 650-student capacity. Also included would be: eight special education classrooms and support spaces, two multi-purposes and tech learning labs, media resource centers, two music rooms, kitchen prep areas and a full-size basketball gymatorium with seating for 700.

MMS would still house fifth- through eighth-grade students, but four additional classrooms would be built, as would two science labs. A yes vote would also give the go-ahead for orchestra room and Family And Consumer Science (FACS) lab upgrades in addition to the conversion of the early childhood area to art and technology lab. If the second question regarding the swimming pool is approved, the MMS effort would total $3.2 million.

At Marshall High School, a single-story addition, which would allow for more classroom space, increased space for agriculture and increased safety features, totaling $9.1 million. The plan includes an additional 25,250 square feet and the remodeling of 6,500 square feet, for a 1,050 student capacity. It also involves expanding the team lockers and locker rooms, cafeteria, woodworking and welding areas.

For questions, call 507-537-6924, refer to the district website at http://www.marshall.k12.mn.us/referendum2017 or email to referendum2017@marshall.k12.mn.us.

If anybody has questions, they can call the office, Monson said. Were certainly not limited to providing tours of the sites during these times, but these are community-wide open houses. If it doesnt work for these times and days and somebody wants to get into the buildings, wed be more than happy to help them with that if they want to give us a call.

Referendum voting will take place from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on April 18 at Marshall National Guard Armory (500 Timmerman Drive). Those who wish to vote early can do so by stopping at the district office at 401 South Saratoga Street (Marshall Middle School).

MARSHALL Marshall School Board members learned about the many ways students and staff have been using ...

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School district to have open houses and tours - Marshall Independent