Students in the Fort Madison School District may have a little more to do before they get their diplomas.
Superintendent Ken Marang says a special committee has been considering a community service requirement for about one year.
He says he brought the idea before because more districts are considering it.
Marang says the committee needs parental input, though, before its work can proceed.
That will be collected, online, duirng registration.
Marang says once the responses and comments are collected and reviewed, the committee will decide whether to put a formal proposal before the school board.
He says if eventually approved, the earliest the graduation requirement would be implemented would be for the class of 2015.
MIDDLE SCHOOL SALE
Meanwhile, the district hopes to complete the sale of its former middle school within the next few months.
Local developer Todd Schneider has been awarded a multi-million dollar state grant to redevelop the building for housing.
Superintendent Ken Marang says the state will now come in and study the environmental impact of the project.
He says once that is complete, the closing can occur.
Marang says the school board has extended the deadline to sell the property to October 15 to allow for the additional testing.
The district agreed to sell Schneider the property for $85,000.
SAFE ROOM
The district's new “safe room” is nearly complete.
Marang says all that is left is to finish the hallway leading to the room, which should be done in the next few weeks.
He says the room, which can withstand winds greater than 200+ MPH, will be used as an extra gymnasium by the district.
Marang says no decision has been made as to whether to hold an open house.
