In December of 2019, the Urbandale Community School District approved the demolition and renovation of Olmsted Elementary. Originally built in 1952, the school building was old and outdated. In June of 2019, the school was demolished in order to start the reconstruction of the school. The UCSD predicts that the new school will be able to accommodate up to 650 students.
Construction started in June of 2019, and was expected to be finished in May of 2021. However, construction finished up in the middle of August, just in time to welcome students in for the 2021-2022 school year. The new school is now a two-story building, featuring state of the art classrooms, kitchen, cafeteria, and gyms. The cost of construction was $28 million out of the $59 million budget plan which included construction of the new fitness center, Olmsted, and the upcoming reconstruction of Valerius Elementary.
While Olmsted was being demolished and planned, students that had planned on attending Olmsted Elementary were temporarily relocated to other UCSD elementary schools for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school year. The UCSD had planned to temporarily relocate Olmsted students to Jensen and Karen Acres Elementary. Teachers that were faculty of Olmsted Elementary also were to be split between Jensen and Karen Acres. Although the class sizes were going to be bigger, the teacher-to-student ratio would be more rational, with two teachers per classroom.
The UCSD school board projects that the demolition and reconstruction of Valerius Elementary will start in the summer of 2023, and be open to students and staff for the 2025-2026 school year.
While Olmsted was being demolished and planned, students that had planned on attending Olmsted Elementary were temporarily relocated to other UCSD elementary schools for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school year. The UCSD had planned to temporarily relocate Olmsted students to Jensen and Karen Acres Elementary. Teachers that were faculty of Olmsted Elementary also were to be split between Jensen and Karen Acres. Although the class sizes were going to be bigger, the teacher-to-student ratio would be more rational, with two teachers per classroom.
The Newly Renovated Olmsted Elementary.
urbandaletimes.wordpress.com 