Einstein Middle School will need a new cafeteria, other Appleton schools referendum updates
APPLETON – More progress has been made on the new elementary school for the Appleton Area School District, as well as the middle school renovations that were approved in the November referendum.
At a meeting Monday night, Superintendent Greg Hartjes shared updates for the new elementary school and the projects at Einstein Middle School. Part of the updates include budget increases for both projects.
Here’s a closer look at those design and budget updates, based on discussion at the meeting.
New elementary school still plans to use pods for each grade
As of now, the new elementary school is designed to be a two-story building with a pod, or wing, for each grade.
Kindergarten through second grade are on the first floor with five classrooms per pod, while third, fourth and fifth grades are upstairs with four classrooms per pod. That is to account for larger enrollment at those lower grades; however, pods could shift over the years depending on class sizes numbers.
The classrooms will be placed around the perimeter of the pod with glass walls looking into a large, open space in the middle. Flexible seating options will be available through the pods, with space designated for teacher planning.
More: Here's what we know about the new elementary school Appleton is building
Capacity for the new school will be 600 students, but the projected enrollment when it first opens is 450.
District administrators working on the design said they anticipate going to teachers for feedback once more concrete designs are available. Multiple board members said they wanted to be sure that teachers are not being brought into the discussion too late in the planning process.
The district does have an obligation to name the school Sandy Slope Elementary School
As a follow-up to a previous discussion, Hartjes said legal counsel confirmed there is an obligation to name the school Sandy Slope Elementary, as stated in the land purchase agreement.
Neither the district nor the board has expressed opposition to the name. However, legal counsel did suggest options to move forward if opposition were to arise.
More: Appleton started discussing a name for its new elementary school, but it's complicated
The only feedback Hartjes said he’s heard is it sounds similar to Sandy Hook, the name of the school in Newtown, Connecticut, where 26 people were shot and killed in 2012. Multiple board members acknowledged that the names sound similar.
There was a question as to whether the district would have to follow through with the name since district policy states naming a school is the board’s responsibility.
No formal action was taken on a name at Monday’s meeting. The topic will be on the next board meeting's agenda.
Einstein Middle School will need a new cafeteria, after unexpected growth on the north side
The middle schools are getting additions and renovations to help accommodate moving sixth grade to those buildings. That move is projected for fall of 2024.
At first, the district didn’t think it would need to add anything except classrooms to Einstein, Hartjes said. However, unexpected enrollment growth occurred on the north side of the city.
Because of that, the district now says it needs to add a cafeteria, in addition to new classrooms.
Work at Einstein could start as early as August. The other three middle schools will be worked on throughout the next school year with the intention that all projects are complete by the summer of 2024.
Both projects will have budget increases
The new elementary school was proposed to cost $36 million. With the most recent preliminary design, that number increased to $38 million including design, construction, furniture and contingency costs.
Originally, the projects at all four middle schools were budgeted for $47 million. That now increases to $49 million with the need for a cafeteria at Einstein.
How will the district make up the cost increases?
Hartjes explained three ways the district can make up for the cost increases from the new elementary school and Einstein designs.
The options he presented totaled $9 million — more than the $4 million that come from the two projects — as a buffer for any increases that may come from the other elementary school or high school projects.
Every year, the district budgets money for capital projects. A portion of that could be earmarked over a few years to go toward referendum projects instead. This option could provide $4.5 million.
The district could use money from Fund 46, which is another area of the budget that is to be used on capital projects. This option could provide $1.5 million.
And the district could also tap into the interest from issuing bonds for the referendum projects. This option could provide $3 million.
More: Appleton teachers said math curriculum isn't working. Here's how the district hopes to fix it
Reach AnnMarie Hilton at ahilton@gannett.com or 920-370-8045. Follow her on Twitter at @hilton_annmarie.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Appleton school district referendum update, new cafeteria for Einstein
