CONTRIBUTED GRAPHIC — A rendering of the entry to Miller Middle School after the reimagining is complete.

As superintendent of the Marshalltown Community School District, I would like to address an important decision made by a community task force regarding the future of Miller Middle School. After careful consideration and extensive discussion, the task force recommended not to pursue building a new school, but instead to reinvent and renovate Miller at its current site. This decision was made with the future of our students, teachers, and the community in mind.

The idea of building a new school is understandably tempting. The thought of a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility is attractive and was seriously considered. However, after weighing the pros and cons, it became clear that the reinvention of Miller Middle School offers several key benefits that a new building cannot provide.

One of the primary considerations is the fact that approximately 70% of Miller students live on the north side of town, where much of the community’s affordable housing is located. Miller is truly a community school. A new facility, on the other hand, would likely be located on the southern edge of town where land is more readily available, but far fewer students reside. This would not only increase transportation costs annually for taxpayers but would also divert much-needed funding away from educational priorities. More buses, drivers and monitors would be needed to facilitate this at a time when there is a local and national bus driver shortage.

There has been some discussion about repurposing the existing Miller building for housing or other uses. However, this future is speculative at best, and we already have several unoccupied buildings (hospital, McFarland Clinic building and the Mall) within our community that could serve such purposes. Marshalltown does not need another vacant structure.

The community has invested significantly in Miller over the years. Portions of the building, including the athletic areas and the most recent academic addition in 2005, remain in good condition and still have many years of useful service ahead. Additionally, Miller boasts resources not commonly found in middle schools, such as extra gym space and a historic community auditorium. These are popular public use spaces beyond school purposes. To include these within a new facility would cost approximately $18 million more dollars than the plan to Reimagine Miller.

While many areas of Miller do require attention, the building’s core structure remains solid, and many of its interior components can be reimagined and renovated into something truly special. This reinvention, while addressing current deficiencies, can be done sustainably and at a much lower cost than building a new school. Our task force was mindful of how to use the community’s resources wisely, and we believe that reimagining Miller is the most fiscally responsible and educationally sound decision for our students.

Marshalltown has a proud history of transforming older structures into modern, functional spaces. Some recent examples include the renovation of Anson Middle School (1924) into the MCSD Administrative Support Center, the post-tornado renovation of the Marshalltown Coliseum (1929), and the restoration of the Marshall County Courthouse (1886) after the tornado/derecho. I would invite our community members to visit any of those facilities to see what is possible. Our plan for Miller Middle School is to follow this same philosophy: “Respecting the past while rebuilding for the future.”

Now is the time to invest in our future. This renovation is not only the most cost-effective option but also the best opportunity to elevate our students’ learning experiences. Miller has a solid foundation and is ready to thrive after its transformation, serving our community for years to come. But the future of this project depends on you. On November 5, 2024, the $57 million bond referendum will be on the ballot, and it’s up to the community to support what the task force, School Board, and administration see as the best path forward. Let’s ensure Miller continues to shape our next generation of learners. Learn more at https://www.marshalltowncsdfuture.com.

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Dr. Theron J. Schutte is the superintendent

the Marshalltown Community School District.