Once a multi-pronged approach to deciding whether voters should decide on tens of millions of dollars to improve Fort Dodge Senior High School was settled, the other big task was deciding exactly what should be addressed in a school makeover.

The Fort Dodge Community School District Board of Education in May decided to place the $42 million measure before voters for a decision during the Nov. 4 general election.

Through a long process that covered roughly a half decade, many school district officials, community members and specialty consultants shared input into the key school modernization needs.

School officials have been working off a 20-year plan, plus “for the last three to four years, at the Facilities Committee level we have talked about what’s next for the high school,” Fort Dodge School District Superintendent Josh Porter said.

-Submitted photo
This crumbling wall is in a mechanical room by the swimming pool in Fort Dodge Senior High School. About $9 million will be invested in reconstructing the swimming pool if the voters approve a $42 million proposal on Nov. 4.

The ISG consulting firm from Des Moines helped pinpoint the highest needs to pursue.

Porter has been superintendent for four years, and is a 1999 graduate from Fort Dodge, so he has some longer range insight into the pros and cons of the current high school, which dates to 1958.

The most costly piece in the $42 million package is $10 million for improving east and west classrooms, including their utilities of HVAC and more.

Other larger segments in the plans are:

• $9 million to reconstruct the school swimming pool, adding new mechanical equipment and renovating the locker rooms,

• $6.5 million to build a new fitness center

• $5.7 million for fine arts of band, vocal music and the Little Theater.

• $4 million for converting from boilers to steam heat

• $3.4 million for modernizing the Career & Technical Education labs

School board member Molly Nelson is a FDHS graduate in the Class of 1998, her parents graduated from the district in 1977, and her son is in high school now, giving her a long view on the high school building.

Nelson backs the project because it will impact all facets of the school, covering classrooms, athletics and fine arts. She said improving the HVAC and lighting certainly isn’t a sexy aspect of the overall needs, but added those are highly necessary to improve the building.

Nelson said the high school basically looks as it did when she attended a quarter century ago, so she’s on board with the project.

“This is an investment for our kids and grandkids. It is time … The school was built in 1958 and some things haven’t been touched,” Nelson said.

Nelson added, “Dodgers don’t complain, we make the best with what we have,” while noting the high school overhaul is very due to be carried out. She said people who come for school events certainly have seen improvements that are needed.

Brandon Hansel, the district’s executive director of financial services, said “we could muddle through” and do a few repairs here and there, but it is best to address all the needs at once.

In Iowa, bond issue measures must get 60 percent approval to be passed.

There is one more chance for people to learn more about the project in a public forum, which will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Little Theater at the high school.