School district considers Iowa Wesleyan property

MT. PLEASANT — Mt. Pleasant Community School District has expressed interest in some of the Iowa Wesleyan property following their closure last month.

According to Superintendent John Henriksen, the school district has submitted a letter of intent to purchase the practice fields across from Maple Leaf Athletic Complex.

“I spoke to Bob Miller, president of the trustees,” Henriksen said at the June School Board Meeting. “He has confirmed to me that they have received that and it will be given consideration when the trustees meet again.”

Henriksen shared that the board of trustees overseeing the Iowa Wesleyan transition period meet weekly, at the moment, to consider proposals they receive for property, equipment, and other facets of the former university.

According to Henriksen, the board also walked the Iowa Wesleyan Campus last Tuesday with a representative from Carl Nelson Construction.

“We looked at all of those buildings on Central Campus,” Henriksen said. “They’re going to put together an assessment and some figures of what it might cost to perhaps add classroom space to the Union area, the Howe. The idea is just, could that become an elementary campus, is what we asked them.”

Board member Derek Mullin toured with the group.

“There was more space in the north of the gym than I expected,” Mullin said. “ … I can see a wing fitting in for two story elementary, whatever that could look like.”

Henriksen anticipates receiving figures from Carl Nelson Construction Friday, June 23.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com