Respecting the Past and Looking to the Future
B.R. Miller Middle School has served generations of students for the Marshalltown Community School District and has been a source of immense pride for nearly a century. But the needs today of students and staff and the expectations of public education have changed dramatically since MMS opened its doors.
Among the many challenges MCSD faces today when it comes to MMS is inadequate safety measures and security systems, limited technology capabilities, and a lack of space for learning, gathering, and new programming. That’s why the district explored bold and innovative solutions that respect the storied past of MMS while also looking to the future.
On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, our community will consider a $57 million bond referendum. If this is approved by at least 60% of voters, MCSD will move forward with a series of improvements at MMS that reimagine the historic facility for generations to come.
MCSD's School Board and its administration have invested significant time and effort as part of a thorough examination of the challenges presented at MMS. A task force that includes community members was created as part of this evaluation process.
Architect renderings showing how a reimagined Miller Middle School could look.
Take a Virtual Tour of Miller Middle School
Learn More
The video series below (available with Spanish subtitles) offers a review of the facility needs that MCSD is facing at Miller Middle School and the solutions considered by the district. Learn more from Brad Leeper of INVISION Architecture about these important issues.
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Feedback From Our Community
A Thought Exchange survey conducted in June reveals significant community support for plans to address facility challenges at the nearly 100-year-old Miller Middle School.
As part of its comprehensive facility review process, MCSD established an advisory task force comprising community members and partnered with INVISION Architecture and Boyd Jones Construction. Together, they identified three options for Miller Middle School.
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The first option, known as “Fix What We Have,” entails necessary repairs to the middle school without altering the current structure.
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The second option, “Renovate and Expand,” proposes substantial upgrades to the existing school facilities and campus expansions.
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The third option, “Fresh Start,” involves constructing a new building at a new site.
The majority of community members expressed strong support for significant improvements to the Miller Middle School facilities. However, the type of improvement — renovation versus new construction — was a distinction among the participants.
Survey participants (parents, staff and community task force members) were able to select multiple projects from a list of three options. Sixty-two percent of the 352 participants included a Fresh Start in their response, while 35% selected Renovate and Expand, and 15% selected Fix What We Have.
A significant number of participants voiced support for the construction of a new building. They cited the age and condition of the current building, suggesting that renovations would only serve as a temporary solution. They believe a new building would provide a more conducive learning environment, be more cost-effective in the long term, and align with modern educational standards.
However, a smaller group of participants advocated for the renovation and preservation of the existing building. They expressed concerns about the cost implications of a new building and its impact on the district’s property taxpayers. Some participants also highlighted the historical significance of the current building and suggested preserving certain elements during renovation.
Regardless of their stance on renovation versus new construction, many participants expressed concerns about the financial implications of the project. They emphasized the need for a cost-effective solution that provides value for money and does not place an undue burden on taxpayers.
A meeting at Miller Middle School in May 2024 provided community members with an opportunity to learn more about the school’s issues and potential projects, ask questions to district administrators, and tour the building that was originally constructed in 1925 as Marshalltown High School.