Middleton District reviews phased design for new elementary school, staff cites $8 million set-aside

District staff presented preliminary plans and asked the Middleton District board for input on a phased build of a new elementary school, saying cooperative funding combined with $8,000,000 the district has set aside would allow construction of an initial portion of the project that staff estimated at about $19,000,000 in total scope. The presentation framed the work as a partial build now with mechanical and connection points included so future additions can be completed without reworking core systems.

"This meeting is primarily just to give you as a board an opportunity to get some input on the design of this school," said a District staff member, who led the presentation and review of the schematic layout. Staff said principals will review the design the next day and meet with the architect next Monday, after which the architect will prepare more detailed plans based on the board and principal input.

The presentation identified several design decisions for the board to consider. The largest was a change to how the dining and gym spaces are arranged: the gym would function as a multipurpose space during the initial phase,…