By Superintendent Dennis Laumeyer
When I first came to Benson, the school district’s history of providing a large number of quality enrichment activities caught my attention. Over the years, I have seen a growing number of students participate in a variety of activities. In a year, we’ve had more than 350 students in choir and band, over 75 in theater, and over 200 dancers.
So, I understood the disappointment in May 2017 when the district had to close the 1928 auditorium after the ceiling collapsed. In the past year, it has meant limiting access and learning opportunities for students.
The broader community felt it, too, as the district moved concerts, theater productions and dance programs to the gymnasium. We have not had enough room for everyone and the seating has been inadequate, especially those who have accessibility limitations and our elderly residents.
The Aug. 14 bond referendum seeks to change that. A new auditorium that would seat 600 people in comfortable theater-style environment and have full accessibility for all is among the key components of the upcoming bond referendum.
Meeting Key Needs
The $26-million plan developed by the 45-member Community Task Force aims to meet key needs of the community with a minimal tax impact, including:
- Create new dedicated auditorium space and add music room at high school
- Create child care and early learning center at Northside Elementary School
- Add Northside cafeteria, which also provides needed activity and community space
- Remove 90-year-old auditorium
- Remove 90 and 68 year old junior high buildings
- Create a PreK- grade 5 dedicated learning center at Northside
- Develop a 6-12th grade secondary school
- Develop collaborative learning environments to engage junior and high school students
- Repurpose pool to activity space
- Upgrade secure entries at elementary and high schools
This will mark the school district’s first major remodel since 1994.
Efficient Use
Overall, this project promotes the efficient use of the district's current facilities and update spaces to meet the changing needs of education. This project will add about 55,000 square feet, remove 112,000 square feet and update more than 21,000 square feet.
Attend Meetings & Tours
We will continue to share more details on the plan in the coming weeks. Join us at Northside Elementary for the next informational meeting and tour from 6-7:30 pm on July 18. The meeting will focus on plans for child care and early learning through elementary, new cafeteria/activity space and safety upgrades.
Learn more today and receive updates by following Benson Public Schools on Facebook and Twitter.