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Red Barn Schoolhouse Contemplates Multiple Sites After First Option Falters; Hitchcock Nature Center Identified as Temporary Location
Summary
Red Barn Schoolhouse representatives told the State Board that a planned facility in Crescent fell through and the group is negotiating two other sites; the nonprofit has secured a short-term arrangement at Hitchcock Nature Center while it seeks permanent land and funding.
Representatives of the Red Barn Schoolhouse updated the State Board of Education on Sept. 17 about facility options after a previously identified site became unavailable.
Why this matters: The Red Barn project aims to establish a rural choice school in Crescent to reduce long student commutes and provide a nearby option; securing a permanent site and construction financing are prerequisites to opening.
What the board heard from Sharon Olmec (Red Barn representatives): - Prior site and status: A McNeil site previously under negotiation became unavailable when the owner died and heirs sought a purchase price the group judged too high. The former Crescent Elementary School property has been explored but Council Bluffs Community School District has not agreed to sell. - Active option: The Johnson property (about 5 acres) is available at a reported price of roughly $65,000; advocates said the wooded, contiguous land would be suitable for a new build and is central to Crescent. - Temporary facility: Hitchcock Nature Center has agreed to a short-term lease for interim operations while Red Barn works to secure a permanent site and financing. Hitchcock's facilities are reported to meet code for temporary classroom use. - Financing outreach: Red Barn is pursuing capital partners and lenders, including Building Hope (a nonprofit lender), the Lincoln Foundation (meeting scheduled), and Security National Bank. - Timeline: Red Barn aims to finalize a purchase by Oct. 1 and projected construction timelines could take up to 18 months; the group hopes any move into a permanent new building could occur in a new semester but intends to use Hitchcock for interim needs if necessary.
Board members asked for a follow-up on site selection and suggested the department be kept informed; Red Barn said it would report progress at the next meeting if resolutions were available.
