The biggest question facing USD 257 in 2024 will be what happens to its three former elementary schools.
The district has agreed to a plan by BNIM, Kansas City-based developers, that will convert the three schools into housing. This is the second year in a two-year agreement that gives BNIM time to secure financing for the project.
BNIM plans to apply for historic tax credits and other types of funding from the state. The company was not able to secure the funding last year, which wasn’t entirely a surprise, company officials said in a presentation to the board in December. They’ve since adjusted the proposal and are more optimistic about their chances this year.
The new plan would construct three-bedroom duplexes on the property at McKinley, as well as converting McKinley and Jefferson into one- and two-bedroom apartments, and tackling Lincoln later.
Because of the stipulations for the financing, BNIM would not be able to sell the property for at least 15 years.
“That gives long-term stability to what those properties could become,” Fager noted.
If BNIM is not successful, the school board may have to go back to the drawing board to figure out what to do with the three former elementary school buildings.
“Housing is such a demand for this community, so we want to make sure all those opportunities are explored before we look at other possible options,” Fager said.
Figuring out the future of those buildings is the district’s top priority for 2024, Fager said.
“We need to climb that hurdle first, then we can look at long-term planning for other facilities.”
One issue is what to do about a maintenance building. The district demolished its former maintenance building with construction of a new science building and cafeteria at Iola High School. Maintenance and transportation crews have been making due with other district-owned property, but at some point will need a dedicated facility.
School board members also have been meeting with officials from the City of Iola and Allen Community College to discuss options for new baseball and softball fields. Board member Dan Willis is working with the city to explore options to install turf on flood-prone fields at Riverside Park.
Eventually, the board will need to consider its options to improve or replace Iola High School. The building is more than 100-years old, which makes it challenging to maintain and upgrade for modern technological needs.
But that discussion could be decades into the future, perhaps once the bonds are paid on the new Iola Elementary School and IHS science building.
“It will probably be a different board and a different superintendent who has to make those decisions,” Fager said.
