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Hiawatha board hears Phase 1 facilities report; secure entry, special-education space and CTE top priorities
Summary
Consultants told the Hiawatha School Board that Phase 1 of a facilities master plan found five districtwide priorities — secure building entries, more and better-located special-education spaces, academic and gym space improvements, expanded career and technical education (CTE) pathways, and more staff/meeting space — and recommended Phase 2 scenario and cost work in Feb–March with a master-plan wrap up by May.
Consultants briefed the Hiawatha School Board on Phase 1 of a facilities master plan, reporting on building walkthroughs, staff interviews and a November community meeting with about 60 attendees and 57 survey respondents.
Zach, the presenter, summarized the findings: "I would call it a pretty successful phase 1 as far as finding out what we need to look at," and said "the group coalesced around 5 key issues." Those five priorities, presenters said, were secure entry points to force visitor check-ins, locating and expanding special-education resources, addressing academic and multifunctional space challenges (including undersized cafeteria/gym rooms at the elementary level), additional gym capacity for district needs, and expanding career and technical education pathways.
On secure entries, the consultant described current circulation patterns as allowing free access and illustrated a preferred approach to route visitors through office check-in: "The red arrow is how they currently function ... The blue is the preferred route where you're checking in to the office before going into the building," the presenter said. Survey results presented to the board showed strong community support for prioritizing entry control.
Special-education needs highlighted included life-skills suites with kitchen areas, PT/OT spaces, laundry and shower rooms, and self-regulation rooms. The presenter noted these spaces are sometimes scattered across buildings and that some existing rooms are overloaded with functions.
The briefing also flagged academic-space constraints in older buildings where a single multipurpose room serves as both gym and cafeteria and often causes scheduling conflicts. On CTE, presenters recommended reconfiguring shop and ag spaces to create larger, safer work areas and to better accommodate modern equipment.
Consultants outlined next steps and timeline: Phase 2 will develop scenarios (renovation vs. new construction), study program needs, and assemble cost estimates and affordability options. They said the work will be quieter through winter while scenarios and pricing are prepared, with public options and pricing expected in February–March and a master-plan wrap up targeted for May.
Board members asked about community engagement and prioritization. The presenters emphasized that prioritization would come later in Phase 2 as scenarios and cost trade-offs are presented: "When we get towards the end of phase 2, that's when you're gonna start to see some of that prioritizing from the community," one consultant said.
The board did not take formal action on project funding at the meeting; consultants were directed to continue scenario development and return with costed options in the next phase.
