Clear Creek Amana acquires land for new elementary school for $1

TIFFIN — The Clear Creek Amana school board took the next step toward construction of a new elementary school last month when the district bought land from the city of Coralville for $1.

The school board approved the purchase May 4 of 30 acres of land west of Coral Ridge Avenue and east of the intersection of Interstate 380 and Highway 6 in Coralville for the fourth elementary school in the district.

A bond approved by residents in March will pay for the project. Voters in the Clear Creek Amana Community School District approved a $65 million bond with more than 75 percent approval to fund construction of a new elementary school. A 60 percent supermajority vote was required to pass the bond.

The bond supports the district’s long-term goals to support neighborhood schools, reduce transportation costs, retain small class sizes, and provide comprehensive vocational and career technology education opportunities for all students.

The new school — planned to be built by 2024 — will be designed to accommodate enrollment growth coming from the eastern side of the school district and redistribute overcrowding from other elementary buildings.

The land is worth $12,000, according to the Johnson County Assessor’s Office.

The school board also approved two agreements with Coralville for site development and shared facilities use.

The city will have access to the school, which will include a gym, a commons area and cafeteria, a playground, sports field and outdoor recreational facilities, when it’s not in use by the district.

Additional spaces to meet the city’s needs for before- and after-school programming include a dedicated classroom, storage space, office space and kitchenette.

Coralville will complete off-site public improvements necessary to provide access and utility connections to the new school. Projects include extending Oakdale Boulevard by June 30, 2024, extending Jones Boulevard by Jan. 30, 2023, and constructing what will be known as School Street by no later than Nov. 30, 2023, according to the agreement.

The city also will be responsible for building a regional stormwater detention basin, storm and sanitary sewer lines and other utility connections.

The school district will have access to the construction site by Sept. 1.

With Tiffin, North Liberty and Coralville recognized as three of the fastest-growing cities in Iowa, the school district estimates growing enrollment of 150 to 200 students per year, and the 10-year enrollment outlook estimates 300 to 350 students per grade level.

Tiffin Elementary and North Bend Elementary will be over capacity by the 2023-24 school year. Projected elementary student enrollment also will be over capacity for all elementary buildings by the 2026-27 school year.

Comments: (319) 398-8411; grace.king@thegazette.com