Linn-Mar school board approves $80 million modified grade restructuring plan

MARION - The Linn-Mar school board Monday night unanimously approved an $80 million modified grade restructuring plan designed to relieve overcrowding in the rapidly growing district's schools.

The school board also approved language for a petition that could be used to place funding for the restructuring plan - including two new schools serving grades 5 and 6 as well as a new elementary school - on the ballot for a public referendum.

Target date for the bond referendum is Sept. 12.

Under the modified restructuring plan:

' Students in grades 9 through 12 would continue taking classes at Linn-Mar High School and the nearby Learning Resource Center.

' Students in grades 7 and 8 would attend Excelsior or Oak Ridge middle schools.

' Students in grades 5 and 6 would attend one of two new schools, both scheduled for construction and occupancy by the fall of 2019.

' Students in pre-kindergarten through fourth grades would attend one of Linn-Mar's seven current elementary schools or a future eighth elementary school, to be built when needed.

The restructuring plan also includes renovations to Excelsior, Indian Creek, Wilkins and Bowman Woods schools.