Marshalltown has a fortunate and unique opportunity before us.

First, the Miller Middle School building, built in 1925, is a treasure just ready to be rediscovered. The bonuses it has for our school kids and for our community are the historic design, the stately auditorium and the 2nd gym. None of these features would be part of a newly built school.

Second, the location of Miller Middle School is on the same side of town as 65-70% of our students. That is a plus! Transportation will be easier for students and their families. Participation in activities is an important part of education. Students are connected to more caring adults; they learn lifelong skills; they learn valuable lessons of teamwork, self-reliance, and taking responsibility. Proximity to school will allow more students to take advantage of the dedicated sponsors, coaches and instructors of activities.

Conversely, a newly built school on the south side of town would present a challenge to participation for some families, as well as resulting in an annual increase in the cost of bussing, bus drivers, bus maintenance and fuel for the school system.

Third, we have the will of our constituents: everyone familiar with the current Miller Middle School situation is in favor of DOING SOMETHING! A study group was convened. Construction experts and architects specializing in the needs of schools were engaged. After 3 months of study, school visits to other towns, expert evaluations of the Miller facility, and the possibilities of building a new school, the group came to the conclusion that they did not want to “patch up” Miller again. They wanted to do the best job for our students and for our community. Would that be a new building or a ReImagined Miller?

Their study — taking into consideration the advice of the expert engineers and architects and the experience of other schools — was that they would get the best possible school facility by taking advantage of the parts of Miller that were restorable and rebuilding the outdated parts to modern standards.

The Reimagined Miller building will have over 40,000 square feet more than a new school would have had. It will offer double the gym space. It will offer an outstanding auditorium with historic features that could not be replicated in today’s budgets.

In addition to the reimagined improvements to Miller School, Franklin Field will receive new turf and a new track surface. This will represent Marshalltown’s commitment to excellence and to our students as our middle schoolers compete with other area schools. Franklin Elementary will benefit as will the many community activities that occur at Franklin Field every weekend.

In addition, every elementary classroom will receive the updated audio-visual equipment that has already been installed in the high school and Lenihan. This will make teaching more effective, efficient and, most important of all, safer.

Marshalltown has a long history of excellence in education that has added to our quality of life in Marshalltown. Businesses have strived to locate here because the best workers want good schools for their kids. In learning about this project, I have talked with middle school teachers and administrators. I could not be more impressed with the dedication and the innovation of our educators! But, when given a tour of Miller in its current condition, some of our best teacher recruits choose to go elsewhere. Businesses do not view Miller as a boost to their hiring the best workers. We must do better for our kids and for ALL of us! A vote for Miller is a vote for Marshalltown!

With all the benefits the ReImagined Miller Middle School offers to our students and with the knowledge that not only is this the most cost-effective way to prepare our facilities for the next generations, and knowing we can provide more amenities at a reduced cost, it is an easy decision to VOTE YES to ReImagine Miller!

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Carrie Grimes Barr is a member of the Vote YES for Miller Committee.