The Decorah Community School District is pleased to report that construction of the district’s new elementary school remains on schedule and significant progress continues on site, including the recent installation of precast concrete wall panels. The new elementary school project, approved by voters in November 2024, will replace the current John Cline Elementary School and is scheduled to open for the 2027-28 school year.

Construction continues to make significant progress. Early site work and utility relocations were completed this spring, followed by the successful installation of rammed aggregate piers ahead of schedule and a community groundbreaking celebration in May. Throughout June, crews completed the building’s footings and foundations, laying the groundwork for vertical construction. In July, the project achieved another major milestone as precast wall panels were erected and the first structural steel components arrived on site, bringing the future facility into view.

The district is still awaiting final approval of project plans from the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office. Project plans were originally submitted to the State in January of 2026. Since that time, the District’s architects, Emergent Architecture, and the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office have maintained communication throughout the review process.

The remaining discussions are not related to the structural integrity, safety, or overall design of the building. Instead, they focus on occupancy and operational considerations and ensuring the State has a complete understanding of how specific spaces will be used so that the appropriate life-safety requirements can be applied. Emergent Architecture continues to work closely with the State Fire Marshal’s Office, providing additional information and discussing potential solutions, and is confident the remaining items can be resolved through continued collaboration and clarification of the building’s intended use.

Decorah Superintendent Tim Cronin said the District appreciates the constructive dialogue with the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office.

“We appreciate the ongoing communication with the State Fire Marshal’s Office as they work to fully understand how the building will function and how each space will be used,” Cronin said. “We look forward to completing the approval process and moving this important project forward.”

The City of Decorah has worked closely with the district, design team, and construction team to evaluate the project and determine how work can proceed safely while awaiting the final state review. Project partners have confirmed that any additional modifications required through the review process can be accommodated without impacting completed work.
At this time, district officials do not anticipate the ongoing state review will affect the overall project schedule.
“We appreciate the community’s continued support and patience as we work through this process,” Cronin said. “The progress taking place on site is exciting to see, and we remain focused on delivering a state-of-the-art learning environment for the students and families of Decorah.”

Additional project updates will be shared as information becomes available on Decorah’s District website at: https://www.decorahelementaryupdates.org/