Iowa Valley continues school improvements

MARENGO — “It’s going to be a very active summer,” Iowa Valley Superintendent Curt Rheingans told the school board this month.

“And then we’ll have a shiny new school.”

Rheingans outlined construction that is slated for this summer at Iowa Valley’s elementary, junior high and high schools. The school board should have bids for approval next month, he said.

If bids come in higher than expected, the school district may have to put off some projects until next year, said Rheingans, but he reminded the board that the renovations are ahead of schedule.

When the school district asked voters in March of 2023 to approve issuing bonds to pay for upgrades to school facilities, the board outlined a five-year plan, Rheingans said.

“We’re going to wrap it up in two years.”

The elementary playground improvements will cost $350,000, $125,00 coming from Public Education and Recreation Levy, $20,000 from a grant and $205,000 from Secure an Advanced Vision for Education funds.

Seven classrooms at the elementary school will get new paint, new flooring and whiteboards, new cabinets and electrical, at a cost of about $11,200 per classroom.

New flooring, paint and electrical will update the lounge, conference room and nurse’s office, and bathrooms will be remodeled.

Projects for the high school for the summer of 2025 include installing new flooring and painting walls in the band room and making the room handicap accessible.

New flooring and whiteboards will be installed in classrooms. The concession stand will get new flooring and cabinets and a new coat of paint.

The gym floor will be resanded — something that hasn’t been done in about 20 years.

The school district is getting some donations from businesses for improvements to the athletic area, said Rheingans. “That helps a lot,” he said. “The money they give is money we can save.”