Decorah Community School District Elementary School

The $38 million bond referendum to build a new elementary school passed in November of 2024 with overwhelming support, securing 66% voter approval. This new facility will replace both John Cline Elementary and West Side Early Childhood Center, addressing critical infrastructure and space challenges. Located near the current John Cline Elementary, the new school promises to provide a modern, innovative learning environment for the district’s youngest students.

The new school will solve several key issues faced by the aging buildings, including outdated systems, overcrowded classrooms, and a lack of adequate space for modern educational needs. With state-of-the-art classrooms and specialized areas for physical education, small-group learning, and community use, the new facility will offer students a safer, more comfortable space to learn and grow. Enhanced security, improved air quality, and better space for staff and educational support services are also part of the plan.

This project is the culmination of facility assessments and master planning efforts. Alongside the district, Emergent carefully studied the needs of the elementary schools through multiple assessments, working with engineers to develop a long-term vision for the district’s facilities. The decision to replace John Cline and West Side was driven by the findings of these assessments, which concluded that the costs of renovating the aging schools would not be an effective solution. The new school reflects a forward-thinking approach to education, designed to meet the evolving needs of students while ensuring the district can accommodate future growth.