The money will be used for renovation and construction purposes at both the elementary in Barnum and junior high/high school building in Manson in response to the increased enrollment.

“Our class sizes are coming up,” Superintendent Justin Daggett said. “That’s the main driver of this.

“I’m going on my seventh year now. When I started in 2012 as the elementary school principal, we were 48-55 kids a grade. Now with a lot of those grade levels are now between 60 and 70. As they’re coming up into the junior high/high school we’re running out of room.”

The vote will be held Sept. 11.

The school board voted unanimously to approve moving forward with the bond issue last month.

Two public meetings will be held to provide more information on the project. They will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the high school and 7 p.m. Aug. 20 at the elementary.

The identified needs at the junior high/high school building include additional classrooms, increased industrial technology space, and improvements to the music and fine arts facilities.

“We’re hoping to add some additional space for our career and technology education,” Daggett said. “Those include our ag science and our industrial tech, computer science, and business. We’re hoping to expand some programming there.”

If the bond is passed, the school hopes to build a new addition at the northeast corner of the high school building, where the circle drive is. This will be near the band room and the library.

“It’s a very functional, efficient design, in my opinion,” Daggett said. “We have the need, driven by our numbers. So we are hoping to come up with a design solution that will not only meet that need but do it in a way that enhances the educational experience for our kids, and will allow for future growth too.”

A committee of community members, teachers, and school board members has been working with Allers Associates Architects, of Fort Dodge, on the design of the renovations.

Regarding fine arts, the students need more dressing room space near the stage to change in between scenes, Daggett said.

Improvements in the elementary building at Barnum will include a new floor for the small gymnasium, new bleachers for the big gymnasium, and additional playground equipment.

The bond will be paid back through property taxes.

For more information

Public meetings will be held to provide more information on MNW’s planned construction and renovation projects.

• Wednesday, 7 p.m.,

Manson Junior High/High School

• Aug. 20, 7 p.m. Barnum Elementary School