New Middle School Connected to the High School

Academics & Student Support:

• Full suite of future-focused MS learning environments, plus student support, admin and building support
• Distance learning lab to complement existing media center (shared MS+HS)
• Collaboration and breakout spaces (both MS+HS)
• STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) labs (both MS+HS)
• Foodservice expansion (shared MS+HS)
• Multipurpose space (shared MS+HS)
• Repurposed HS classrooms (old band & choir)
• New parking

Athletics:

• Competition gym & locker rooms (MS)
• Fitness room (shared MS+HS)

Fine Arts:

• Auditorium and scene shop (shared MS+HS)
• Visual arts classroom (MS)
• Band & choir spaces, including practice rooms and storage rooms (shared MS+HS)

Benefits:

• Students can access all programming in the same building (safe & secure for students)
• Students are optimally grouped to meet their developmental needs
• Most economic use of construction funds, allowing for dollars to improve both MS & HS environments
• Increased opportunities for advanced courses for MS students and specialized programming at HS (electives)...more robust curriculum
• Eliminates current duplicate spaces at HS & MS (library, cafeteria, kitchen, band/choir)
• Shared professional and support staff (band, chorus, nurse, social work, buildings and grounds, lunch, custodial) operate in the same building
• Shared state-of-the-art athletic fields for 6-12
• Operational cost savings for transportation, utilities, building renewal and maintenance
• High quality schools and great opportunities attract and retain families, plus our district reputation and property values

Frequently Asked Questions

District Needs

Q: What district needs will be addressed through this plan?
A: The Maroa-Forsyth School District improvement plan is based on recommendations from hundreds of District parents, residents, and employees who participated in a community engagement project. With this plan, the following top priorities will be addressed:

Academics & Student Support

• Replace current middle school that was built in 1933 with a new middle school addition connected to the High School
• Classrooms that will accommodate best practices in today’s curriculum and instruction, something vitally important especially at the middle school level
• Distance Learning Lab to complement existing media center (shared MS+HS)
• Collaboration and small group learning spaces at both the middle and high school
• New STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) labs
• Foodservice/Cafeteria Expansion (shared by middle and high school, separate lunch periods) so lunch periods do not infringe upon classroom and instruction time
• Remodeled high school classrooms
• Shared parking spaces for both the middle and high schools thus cost efficiently providing adequate parking for school events and staff

Athletics

• New shared gym and locker rooms, multipurpose space and fitness

Fine Arts

• New shared auditorium, band and choir classrooms and visual arts classrooms
• Auditorium and scene shop (shared by middle and high school)
• Visual Arts classroom (middle school)
• Band and Choir classrooms, including practice rooms and storage rooms (shared by middle and high school)
  

Q: How will funding be used to improve student learning?
A: The plan provides many educational advantages for Maroa-Forsyth students. A new middle school, attached to the high school, will create improved learning opportunities for all students in grades 6-12.

• Students can access all programming in the same building (safe & secure for students)
• Students are optimally grouped to meet their developmental needs
• Increased opportunities for advanced courses for middle school students
• New middle school helps attract families and retain Maroa-Forsyth’s position as a destination district
• Eliminates current duplicate spaces at High School and Middle School (library, cafeteria, kitchen, band/choir)
• Most financially responsible use of building funds, allowing for dollars to improve both the High School and Middle School
• Shared professional and support staff (band, chorus, nurse, social work, buildings and grounds, custodial) operate in the same building
• Expansion of specialized electives at High School creates opportunities for more robust curriculum
• Provides operational cost savings for district schools
• Student transportation is more efficient and less costly with grades 6-12 on the same site. Having middle and high school students and staff on one campus improves our ability to keep everyone as safe as possible. A new middle school will also create a safer bus loading area for middle school students.

If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact Dr. John Ahleymeyer, Superintendent at 217-794-3488 ext. 5103.