On Tuesday, Nov. 5, the Waterloo Community School district proposed a vote for the community, asking them if they would like to see one comprehensive high school campus.
Despite objections from two of the board members initially, the plan was approved by voters.
After the ballot was passed, the district will proceed with its plan to build the $165 million high school.
This school aims to allow access equity for the Waterloo Career Center and scheduling efficiency, cutting down on travel time between locations.
The approved school aims to modernize educational facilities to fit the growing needs of students.
Despite the backlash, the fight for this school has not gone unnoticed. Waterloo Schools Superintendent Jared Smith shares “Whether or not you were directly involved in more than 100 meetings leading up to this vote, your commitment and dedication to our students have been the driving force behind this initiative.”
Construction on the new high school will begin in the spring of 2025 and is scheduled to be open for the 2028-2029 school year.
Students who are currently in grades 8 and under will be the first to experience the “best high school in the state of Iowa” Smith shares.
This high school is going to be added to the existing Central Middle School, hosting students from grade 10 to grade 12, with Waterloo East and West hosting the eighth and ninth graders.
Waterloo Career Center teacher Tammy Kinnetz teaches K-12 Teacher Prep. She shares “This school can be something so beautiful, I think people just need to accept change sometimes. I am looking forward to the opportunities this will bring.” Kinnetz also shares her hope for the existing programs stating that “in all honesty, things like the WCC can only go up from here.”
For more information about the new high school, you can visit the Waterloo Community Schools website (waterlooschools.org).
