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School Board Looks Over Expansion Plans
» Mary Bernhard - Manhattan American - 09.18.08


In a work session prior to the regular Tuesday, September 9, District 114 School Board meeting, the board revisited a plan to expand the Manhattan Junior High building.

Don't get ready to jump on the referendum issue yet as this was just a glimpse at past plans from the original building.

"We just want to give the architect more direction," said School Board President Chris Ambrosini. "We are not ready to add on and we don't really need it right now."

Ambrosini added that the board was taking advantage of the "lull" in building of residential developments in the area.

"When it all speeds up, we will be ready to pull the trigger," Ambrosini remarked.

The plans of expansion actually had come with the original plans of the building. The board revisited the original plans to make sure the designs still met the community's needs for the future.

The expansion would add a minimum of 12 classrooms, a music room, a main or auxiliary gymnasium and other facilities off the east end of the building.

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The addition would add a capacity of 600 to 700 more students. The junior high now houses about 453.

The original expansion plans drawn in 2002 with the Manhattan Junior High building plans seemed to still suit the needs of the community as the board gave the architect direction in that fashion.

"We still like this concept," Ambrosini added. "We just needed an approved concept to get budgetary numbers from the architect."

Ambrosini reiterated that the project of expanding the junior high was still in its infant stages and the board just wanted to be prepared with an updated plan to determine updated costs so they are ready when the expansion trigger needs to be pulled.

In other school board news, principals introduced new staff to the board as well as their mentors.

School Superintendent Howard Butters reported the schools were off to a good start. Enrollment between the three schools is 1,262 students.

The Junior High is up seven students from May of 2008 with 453 students enrolled.

Wilson Creek is up one student from May 2008 at 401 and Anna McDonald is up 23 students, for a total of 408.

"This is not as much of an increase as expected but is still a three percent growth," Butters reported.

The Manhattan Park District presented a check to the Manhattan School Board on behalf of the newly implemented Safari Kids Club Recreation Center, which provides childcare for afternoon kindergarten students. The club is open in the mornings at Wilson Creek and offers learning opportunities to children of working parents who are assigned to afternoon kindergarten.

"We want to thank the board and staff for this successful venture," Park Director Julie Kurczewski told the board. "Together, we provided a new service to the community that is a win-win situation."

The check to the school was for $5,222.

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