On April 8, 2024, the Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District approved the recommended facilities plan. The plan was a result of eight months of work starting with a comprehensive, district-wide facility assessment in the summer of 2023, and a series of community meetings held in October 2023. The fundamental questions emerged related to MSTM facilities, including:

How can the facilities:

• Enhancing safety and security?
• Drive program and student success?
• Expand opportunities?
• Improve functionality and appearance?

In addition, these non-facility themes emerged:

• The need to maintain our sense of community and a K-12 building
• The need to address teach retention
• Accountability, transparency, and communication must improve
• Address not only the physical safety, but also the emotional safety

Project Pan/Design Coordination

• Relocation of the softball field to improve campus safety and security
• Shift ‘front’ of the building to north facing with a main front and secure entrance. This will improve traffic flow.
• The addition / renovation of a new main drive off Highway 28, parking lot, separate bus loop, and parent pickup/drop-off on the north side to improve vehicle circulation and safety, and reduce congestion on Burlington Ave.
• The addition of a single safe and secure entrance on the north side serving both the elementary and secondary components of our school operations.
• Addition of a multi-purpose gymnasium.
• The renovation of the secondary science rooms.
• Upgrades to the HVAC Systems, Fire Safety Systems, and Electrical System throughout the existing building to improve student and staff safety and comfort.
• Furniture replacement through the building includes student spaces.

Planning/Costing

With our work for their successful bond referendum in November 2024, the team helped the district align all the projects. The estimated project plan cost is $16,651,271.