MAQUOKETA, Iowa — For 26 years, Andrea Dostal has been a teacher at Cardinal Elementary School. It's been the building that she's made many memories at throughout her teaching career.
"There's no place like Cardinal Elementary," Dostal said. "When it was built years ago, it had an open classroom concept which was kind of the newest thing to attempt back then. A lot that you see today is how it looked back then."
After careful consideration of various factors — including student enrollment data, safety needs within the facility, budget considerations and the goal of providing a high-quality learning space — the district's facilities committee has recommended closing the pre-K through second-grade elementary school.
If the decision is finalized, the district will move its students to Briggs Elementary, which currently teaches third through fifth grade. To do this, a $15 million expansion project would take place at Briggs.
Maquoketa Community School District's Tara Notz says the staff is excited about the change.
"The committee believes this is the best decision for a better education for our students," Notz said. "We are really in a fortunate position in our district where we don't have any debt, and we are not planning to go out for a bond referendum for this project."
Notz added taxpayers would not be asked for additional funding for the project.
Dostal said there are mixed emotions towards the decision but it also leaves her excited for the new opportunities.
"We are being told there will be no reductions in staff and it will be added to Briggs," Dostal said. "We're also getting new classrooms and who can say no to that."
On Wednesday night, a public hearing will be held at Cardinal Elementary. Tours will be given of Cardinal and an open discussion will be held regarding the building's fate. All are encouraged to participate and give their input. A decision is expected to be made that same evening.