New Elementary School Plans Unveiled for Decorah Community

Our newsroom runs on more than coffee and craft beer — it runs on you. Support Decorah News' local reporting today. DECORAH — Decorah Superintendent Dr. Tim Cronin on Monday presented updated plans for the city's new elementary school, calling it a long-awaited project that has taken more than 15 years to reach this stage. Cronin told the Decorah City Council the proposal "has been about a 16-year process," and expressed appreciation for the council's earlier agreement to sell the western portion of the Heivly Island site for the project. "We're very appreciative that the city council agreed to sell that land," he said, calling it "a turning point." The project, approved by voters in a November 2024 bond referendum, will replace Decorah's aging elementary facilities with a modern building. Cronin introduced architect Nick Hildebrandt of Emergent Architecture and commercial construction project manager Tom Zahalka of Miron Construction, who outlined the building's design, sustainability features, and construction schedule. Hildebrandt said the design process involved "a facility committee with administration, building and grounds, community stakeholders," and incorporated "schematic iterations" and "internal stakeholder collaboration." Teachers and librarians provided input on room layouts and functions, he said. Renderings displayed during the meeting showed a two-story structure emphasizing natural light and durable materials inspired by Decorah's landscape. Zahalka said construction is expected to begin in spring 2026 and finish by fall 2027, in time for the new school year. "The actual bid day is scheduled for January 22," he said. "Once bids are in, the district will finalize the guaranteed maximum price… then we kick off construction." Council members asked questions about fencing, parking, and community access to the site. Council members Emily Neal and Steve Zittergruen expressed concerns that an eight-foot fence and certain layout choices could make the campus feel isolated. "I think it's deeply important that children be educated in the context of the community where they are," Zittergruen said. "I don't want to do it in a way that makes it feel like it's isolated from our community as much as possible with locks and fencing." He said he would prefer a plan that included "a path that connected North Street across the campus to the high school," while acknowledging the engineers' focus on safety and logistics. "I'm less concerned about the safety concerns, unless someone can show me that an eight-foot fence prevents kidnappings that a four-foot fence can't. Though I don't think anyone has that data, because I don't think it exists." Neal said the school should focus on essential needs rather than aesthetic extras. "I love the sustainability aspects of it, but are we adding things because we can, or because we really need them?" she asked, noting taxpayers' shared financial burden for city and school projects. Council member Brent Parker suggested expanding parking near the school. "I always joke with my family that the school 'always plans basketball games, orchestra concerts, all of these things at the high school at the same time,' and sometimes there is no place to park. People are walking long distances at night or in the cold, so having extra parking is a positive thing," he said. While critical of some elements added or changed since the plan's original approval, Zittergruen expressed optimism about the project. "We're almost there," he said. "I'm really excited about an elementary school being built in our town. I hope we all walk away with that takeaway." Mayor Lorraine Borowski said, "It's not easy to fit everything together," but praised the school board's efforts. "We're moving forward, and we've got to continue to do so," she said. City staff confirmed the site plan is under formal review, with zoning and variance considerations expected in November. Cronin closed the meeting by thanking the council for its partnership and reaffirming that both the city and school district "win when we work together for the betterment of the community." Don't miss out on important updates! Subscribe to the newsletter for free and stay informed about local topics that matter most to you.