Newton School Superintendent Tom Messenger says an evaluation of improvements needed at Newton High School is the next step in aligning the district’s facilities and goals. The Newton School District opened a new Berg Middle School Building in March 2019, and now additions and renovations are being done to the two elementary schools Newton students will be using in the years ahead. At the high school, Messenger acknowledges accessibility for those who are handicapped is an issue that’s been talked about a lot recently, but classroom size is another big concern.

“We have a lot of classrooms there that are relatively small and pretty packed by the time you get some of the full classes in those. One of the things that takes up some more space in classrooms that didn’t used to be there is technology. And it is important that we take a look at those and make sure that we are truly addressing all the needs we have, and are putting those together in more of a long range plan. ‘

The Newton Superintendent says FRK Architects in West Des Moines did some preliminary work on facility needs at the high school a couple of years ago, so they don’t have to start from scratch. They also just completed an evaluation on adding an elevator, to make all three levels of the high school handicap accessible.