Clarkson Public Schools
November 2024 Bond
The Proposed Plan Solves Urgent Needs
Safety and Security
The Needs
Never before has it been so important to make sure our schools are safe and secure places for students and staff. Our school has nearly 20 entry points and does not allow for visitors to be monitored as they enter the building. A single, monitored entry is critical in today's environment.
The building itself has no natural flow, often creating confusion and issues in directing students, staff, or others in an emergency.
Parts of the school are not accessible to everyone since the two-story building has no elevator. This limits classes some students can take.
Our storm shelter is not ADA accessible, so it's not usable for all students and staff. It also don’t meet the definition of a hardened shell or FEMA-rated shelter. It lacks current code requirements including emergency backup lighting or emergency backup exhaust ventilation.
The Solutions
The building design has a single, identifiable main entry with a vestibule.
The new design creates an improved flow with defined elementary, middle school and high school wings. It will be easier for students and visitors to navigate.
A new elevator will allow students, staff and visitors to easily access all floors of the school.
The first floor elementary classrooms will be built to meet code as a FEMA-rated storm shelter. This new design is not only space-efficient but also means we can avoid having to move our youngest students to a shelter during bad weather as they will already be in one. The shelter will be accessible for all students and staff.
Elementary School
The elementary building was originally built as a military barracks during World War II! It was moved to our school property in 1994 – thirty years ago – as a temporary solution.
The building (now 80-years-old) has been updated over the years, but it is now too outdated to meet our students' needs. Making the necessary repairs and updates will cost more than adding a new elementary wing to our building.
A two-story addition will add elementary classrooms along the northwest corner of the gym.
Two new playgrounds will provide a safe space for our PK and elementary students, with a level surface to play on. They are located beside the elementary wing for easy access.
Career and Technical Education
Career and Technical Education
Area employers cannot find enough skilled trades workers.
Our school is out of space for classrooms and we even have a class being taught in the cafeteria.
The new Career and Technical Education (CTE) addition will provide additional classrooms. It will house a wood shop, metal shop and ag lab along with classrooms for business, family and consumer science, flexible instruction, Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) program and special education.
This supports the growth of our Clarkson FFA chapter, FCCLA & FBLA chapters, and the ability for us to promote CTE through our clubs.
Our goal is to equip our students with the expertise and knowledge they need to thrive in today's job market by training them with skills that are in demand in the Clarkson region.
Cost Conscious
We take our responsibility to taxpayers very seriously.
We understand that keeping our school facilities maintained and up-to-date requires taxpayer dollars.
We wanted to build our new school in the best way possible, while minimizing the tax burden.
The community committee looked at nearly a half a dozen plans and chose the one that gave us the most bang for our buck. This proposal solves our critical facility needs with the lowest levy impact.
Attracting and Retaining Quality Staff
It's becoming harder and harder to fill open teaching and critical staff positions.
Attracting and retaining quality teachers and staff begins with providing a modern space for them to work.
The redesigned facility offers amenities today's workforce is looking for:
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a secure facility,
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adequate work space, including a staff workroom,
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staff restroom,
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mother’s room;
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place to make private parent phone calls and hold small group meetings.
Did you know that Nebraska students say they are extremely or somewhat likely to remain in the area where they live now? In a survey of greater Nebraska youth conducted by the Nebraska Community Foundation, 64% of respondents said their ideal community size is “small, like my hometown.”
Safety, good schools, and proximity to family are the top three most important factors in their ideal community. Lack of job or business opportunity is the top reason to live elsewhere. More information about the survey is available on nebcommfound.org.