Doland prepares for new school addition and renovations

Doland prepares for new school addition and renovations

By Shiloh Appel
After an upbeat crowd of approximately 100 people showed up for the public school board meeting held on Monday, October 29th at Doland School, the Doland School Board has decided to continue with the next steps in the remodeling and addition plan for the school, an idea that has been "years in the process" according to Doland School principal, Jim Hulscher.

"It will go to the architect and the fire marshal now. That will be a two month process," said Hulscher.
The school board plans to have an addition built for the high school classes, high school lunch room, music room and administration offices. They also plan to remodel the elementary school, establishing a city library within the school and a school/public weight room (also within the school).
The new addition would be a 90 ft. by 250 ft. structure. The finished building would also be one single story in order to be ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant.
According to Hulscher, the renovations would include tearing down three of Doland School's current three-story buildings. One of the buildings was built in 1911, one in 1928 and one in 1959.
"The four main reasons we are doing this is for safety, ADA compliancy, efficiency and cost," said Hulscher.
Currently, Doland school has 161 students in Kindergarten through 12th grade and 11 students in their four-year-old preschool group. Hulscher said the meeting concerning the new school was well received by both students and Doland citizens, all of whom, "gave positive feedback."
More information will be available as the planning process for the new school continues.