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Burlington School to be Demolished

The Burlington School District no longer needs the former Washington Elementary School, prompting the school board to vote to demolish the building.

The building has been used in a variety of ways in recent years: overflow classrooms during several construction projects and the district’s alternative high school.

Business Manager Chris Stensland says Washington Elementary’s role as a “swing building” is being assumed by the former James Madison Middle School, thanks to the completion of Edward Stone Middle School.

“The alternative high school is there, technology will be there, and the new food service bakery is there” says Stensland, “and the building (James Madison) is still just half full.  That is one of the reasons why we do not have a use for Washington Elementary at this point.”

A firm out of Dubuque will handle asbestos removal while a Keokuk company will tear down the building.  The project is expected to cost about $120,000.

Stensland says the district explored the idea of selling the property.  She says the appraisal came in at $40,000-$45,000, but it would cost much more to retrofit the building to modern standards.

Demolition is slated to be completed by December 1, 2012.

Jason Parrott is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.