Board selects brick exterior for high‑school and middle‑school addition, leaves space for future sign

The Clear Creek Amana Community School District Board approved an exterior design concept for the high‑school and middle‑school project, selecting brick for the building face while leaving a location and rough‑in for a future sign.

Staff presented metal panel and brick options and reviewed cost considerations. A district presenter told the board that the exterior materials represent a small share of the overall $14,000,000 project — less than 1.5 percent — and that estimated cost differentials between material options ranged from roughly $5,000 to $40,000 depending on choices and details. Staff said recent market changes have driven metal panel prices higher in some cases; they reported that, for certain matches, metal panel could be more expensive than brick after accounting for sourcing and tariffs. Board members asked about color matching, durability, maintenance and possible project delays tied to material availability.

Signage was discussed separately. Staff said an externally mounted sign combining metal, acrylic and LED lighting would likely cost in the $16,000–$20,000 range if procured through the general contractor; staff recommended planning for a conduit and attachment points so a sign could be added in the future if the board chose to defer the purchase. Board members agreed to approve the brick concept while leaving a space open and a rough‑in for electrical power so a sign could be installed later, either through the district or by a future donor. The board approved the motion by voice vote.

Staff also explained aesthetic options for maintaining a consistent entrance treatment across the existing building and addition, and cautioned that some previously used materials (for example, a blue glazed block) had maintenance issues in Iowa winters. The design team recommended emphasizing entrance language with canopies or metal accents rather than repeat the glazed block material, and said they would refine details on canopies, color and attachment points before final construction documents were prepared.

Board members said local vendor connections might reduce future signage costs and discussed whether students or community donors could create or donate a sign at a later date. Staff said they would include the chosen exterior direction and the signage rough‑in in the construction drawings.