#OldSchool: Anson Still Requires Some Improvement

Greg Pierquet reports in a recent Marshalltown Times Republican article that Anson Middle School [AMS] will be going through some exterior changes in the months ahead. Highlights include:

As much as $500,000 for renovation and demolition at the school site are part of a capital improvement plan drafted this month by the district’s administrators and the school board.

The MCSD made the decision years ago that Anson Middle School was the odd school out. Its location created traffic and pedestrian congestion on the city’s near east side and the original 1927 portion of the building was going to be expensive to renovate.

The re-opening of Lenihan Intermediate created more instructional space, but the district’s support services — food service, buildings and grounds — needed a location. They are now at the old Anson Middle School, something Associate Superintendent Pat Kremer said is working well to this point.

He said the demolition of the south end of the school was part of the original $35 million bond issue sought, but was one of the projects cut once the district asked for $25 million.

“The demolition has to happen as far as saving energy and not allowing the building to become [an eye sore,]” said Director of Buildings and Grounds Rick Simpson, who has overseen much of the transition to the new location.

Demolishing the southern portion of the building and digging up the existing boiler — represented by the smoke stack located between the AMS Support Services and Anson Elementary buildings — could create space for a bus drop-off area for the elementary school.