OPN Architects presented the results of a districtwide fine‑arts facilities assessment at the Iowa City Community School District board meeting on April 22, recommending targeted investments to improve technical capacity, accessibility and rehearsal space across the district’s three comprehensive high schools.

Deputy Superintendent Dr. Ramey said OPN assessed performing‑arts spaces at City, West and Liberty high schools, focusing on auditoriums, rehearsal rooms, practice rooms and support areas such as green rooms and set‑building spaces. Josh Moe of OPN said the 108‑page report and two appendices capture room-by-room observations, code and accessibility issues, and prioritized recommendations.

OPN’s review found that City High’s auditorium is prized for its balcony and aesthetic but has a small stage, limited wing space and aging technical systems; instructors reported that lower‑level band and rehearsal rooms lack needed volume and support spaces. West High was praised for its large band room and seat capacity, but the report flagged limited rigging (dead‑hung systems), older lighting and worn house seating that will not meet modern accessibility and egress expectations. Liberty, the newest building, benefited from newer systems but already shows pressure on rehearsal space and stage‑time competition, and staff requested additional practice and auxiliary stage space.

The architects recommended a mixture of code‑driven accessibility improvements, lighting and sound system replacement, upgraded rigging and stage craft infrastructure, and new or enlarged rehearsal and support rooms in locations tailored to each campus. The team also emphasized that renovating performing‑arts spaces typically triggers code and accessibility upgrades; where a building is altered, the work should account for current codes.

Board members thanked OPN for the exhaustive report and scheduled a later work session to review technical recommendations and priorities in greater depth. Superintendent Degner said staff had paused some smaller lights-and-sound upgrades while the district evaluates larger capital options outlined in the study.