Build a Brighter Future at Meridian Middle School

The task force unanimously recommended that a new Meridian Middle School be built. Meridian Middle School was built in 1938. Though it has been well maintained, signs of wear are evident throughout and expenses to maintain the school continue to grow. In addition, there are safety concerns at the current middle school.

The exterior walls are constructed with non-reinforced concrete meaning that there is no rebar inside and the school is not to current seismic code. The campus consists of several unconnected buildings with outdoor entries and walkways. This makes it difficult to keep track of students and safely secure the campus in the event of an emergency. The current campus also lacks accessible entries and restrooms for our students and visitors who use wheelchairs or have limited mobility.

The layout is not designed for 21st Century Learning. There are no collaboration spaces and specialists, such as nurses, counselors, psychologists, and occupation and physical therapists, currently work in offices that were once closets, storage rooms or converted classrooms.

Addressing overcrowding at Irene Reither Elementary:

Aside from the physical condition of the building, our community is growing. Meridian Middle School is designed for 380 students. By 2030, projected enrollment is 500. This growth is happening everywhere in our district. Irene Reither Elementary School (IRE) was designed for 506 students and the Ten Mile building has a capacity of 220. Between the two buildings this year, there are 750 students. Based on enrollment projects, by 2028, over 1,000 students could attend IRE. More information about enrollment projects (page 5).

The study and survey recommended either an expansion of the Ten Mile building or build a new elementary school to accommodate the growth. However, the cost of each project in addition to a new middle school would surpass our overall bond capacity for our district. Because of this, the task force see this as a possible solution to overcrowding at IRE. The task force recommends a new elementary school as part of long-term planning for the district to be added to a future bond (10+ years).

Middle schools are designed to guide students through the transition from childhood to adolescence. According to the Association of Middle Level Educators (AMLE), middle schools best suit ages 10 to 15, which aligns with a proposed grade range. If we introduce 5th graders to middle school a year earlier than we currently do, it can aid in a more seamless transition into adolescence. This early entry allows students to cultivate vital social and emotional skills like resilience, empathy, and conflict resolution, all within a nurturing environment led by experienced educators who specialize in working with adolescents. This change could create a more balanced K-12 experience, allowing students to spend a similar number of years in each building. It would also reduce capacity issues related to parking, drop-offs, pick-ups, and classroom overcrowding at the elementary level by moving approximately 160 students to the middle school campus.

In order to alleviate overcrowding already occurring at IRE, the task force is recommending the new Meridian Middle School be built for grades 5-8.

Estimated cost: $70.9 million (with state match dollars)