Rationale for Project

The path to the current renovation plan actually began in the fall of 2018 when the Washburn School Board began exploring how to renovate the oldest part of the school which was built in 1928. The goal was to bring it up to ADA accessibility standards, as well as modernizing the Olde Gym to make it a better space for all the different functions and events that happen there. The Board’s intent was to do a project which would be of a scale that it could be paid for through the building fund. A referendum wouldn’t be necessary.

An engineer was hired, a plan was created, and in September 2019 the plan was presented to the public at the annual budget hearing. Over fifty people attended that meeting, and there was broad support for what the Board wanted to do. However, there was considerable feedback at that meeting requesting that the project be delayed one year because the city budget was calling for a significant increase as well. There was concern about taxpayers facing significant increases from both political subdivisions at the same time. After much discussion, the board agreed to delay one year. Then in early 2020, Great River Energy announced their intention to close Coal Creek Station. This potential blow to the community necessitated that we step back and put everything on hold until the future of Coal Creek was resolved.

In early 2022 the Board felt it was time to revisit the renovation plan. They contracted with EngTech to provide architectural design services. At this point the Board felt it was time to explore a plan that was more extensive, one that would impact a much larger area of the school and include new construction. This current plan goes well beyond addressing outdated spaces and ADA accessibility needs. It changes how students and staff will move about the building, and it enables for better grouping of students of similar ages and grade levels. Student support services will be placed so that students of all ages will benefit. Access to the school will be much easier and more controlled, making the school safer for students, staff, and visitors. This project will accommodate enrollment growth, and it will meet the needs of the district now as well as decades into the future.

To better understand the current needs of the school district, especially as the proposed project relates to program needs and projected enrollment growth, please view the following presentation that was presented to the public on Tuesday, October 4th.