Board approves Newman Monson Architects to lead districtwide elementary playground planning

The Southeast Polk Community School District board voted Jan. 8 to approve Newman Monson Architects to lead a districtwide, phased elementary playground improvement planning effort.

District staff described a multi-phase approach: community engagement and site visits in spring, development of large recommendations by late summer, and bidding for major play pieces and surfacing thereafter. Staff said early work this spring and summer will focus on site definitions, fencing, accessibility improvements (ramps, concrete work) and other preparatory tasks before larger equipment purchases and installations the following year.

Legal counsel told the board the district and Newman Monson have agreed on pricing, but attorneys are still finalizing the contract form. "Legal counsel does have the agreement on hand. We have agreed with pricing for Newman Monson. So it's just the form of the agreement itself that's still being worked through," counsel said.

Board members asked about equity and standardization across schools, PTA fundraising coordination, possible city contributions and security features such as turnstiles to restrict bike access. Staff said they will coordinate with PTAs so local fundraising complements the district plan and will engage Pleasant Hill, Altoona and Mitchellville in the conversations; staff also said they would evaluate fencing and access-control options as part of the planning.

A district representative described the phased timeline and estimated that smaller accessibility and site-definition items could begin this summer, with larger equipment and surfacing bids likely later in the season. The board moved and approved the architect selection and discussed next steps for community input and project phasing.

Ending: Staff will proceed with the phased engagement and return contract documents once legal review is complete.