Construction continues on the Linn-Mar Community School District’s administration building, part of a five-year facilities plan in Marion. This new building will provide more space for the superintendent’s office, information technology, nutrition services, conference space, and storage. The current administration building will be remodeled to include additional classrooms.
As part of the five-year plan that began in 2022, other notable projects include a larger performance venue and an indoor athletic center at the high school. The estimated cost for all projects ranges between $48 and $60 million, covering design fees, construction costs, and equipment expenses.
Once the new administration building is completed this fall, the former space at the Learning Resource Center in Marion will be renovated to provide additional space for Linn-Mar High School and other academic programs. Built in 1948, the Learning Resource Center was initially the Marion Rural Independent School and was renamed Linn-Mar in 1959. It currently houses administrative offices, the COMPASS Alternative High School, and the Venture Academics Program.
Funds for the five-year plan come from:
– Public Education and Recreation Levy (PERL), a property tax for public recreation areas
– Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL), used for improving school buildings, purchasing technology, and safety equipment
– Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE), an existing sales tax for school infrastructure
Earlier this year, an eight-court tennis complex was completed next to Oak Ridge Middle School’s baseball and softball facilities, costing about $1.7 million. This September, the new administration building will be completed, estimated at $13.1 million, enhancing various administrative functions.
The Learning Resource Center will undergo remodeling to transform former office spaces into classrooms, supporting up to 400 students this fall. The remodeling, estimated at $1.34 million, includes upgrades such as a new fire suppression system, electrical work to support modern technology, and increased water resources for biomedical science classrooms.
Construction has also begun on a new performance venue scheduled to be completed by fall 2025, costing approximately $28.4 million. This venue will expand seating capacity from 833 to up to 1,200 and better accommodate both school and community events.
The district’s vision aims to enhance students’ academic and extracurricular experiences, with public access to these new facilities as they are completed.