During a recent government meeting, officials discussed significant plans for the South Park school site, emphasizing the urgent need for renovations or a complete rebuild due to ongoing infrastructure issues. The current building, over 120 years old, presents challenges such as inadequate classroom sizes, safety concerns, and ADA accessibility problems. The district aims to avoid a shift to virtual learning, which could occur if the situation deteriorates further.

Two primary options were presented: a complete teardown and construction of a new middle school at the South Park site, estimated to cost around $195 million, or a substantial renovation and expansion of the existing structure, projected at approximately $82 million. Both plans would require voter approval, but the district highlighted that due to previous debt prepayments, there would be no increase in the school levy for taxpayers.

The board is actively seeking community feedback on these proposals, with sessions scheduled throughout September and October. The timeline indicates that a referendum could be placed on the ballot for April 1, 2024, contingent on community input and board decisions in the coming months.

Officials underscored the importance of community engagement, urging residents to participate in discussions to ensure the plans align with the needs and expectations of the community. The meeting concluded with a commitment to transparency and collaboration as the district moves forward with these critical infrastructure decisions.