Huntingburg Elementary expansion part of $19.7M in projects

With an increase in the student population at Huntingburg Elementary School, the Southwest Dubois County School Corporation is planning more than $19.7 million in new construction and facility updates.

A public hearing on the creation of a building corporation and the appropriation of $19.7 million will be held at the regular Southwest Dubois County School Corporation board meeting on March 21 at 5:30 p.m. at the corporation office.

According to a 2022 study conducted by McKibben Demographic Research, LLC, Huntingburg Elementary School is expected to continue adding students. Currently, the elementary school has about 780 students enrolled, and that number is expected to increase again in 2025.

With so many students, the elementary school is adjusting classes to accommodate the numbers. It is making plans to increase the number of classrooms from 40 to 48 while adding a larger gym and other support areas. See the image below from the presentation made last August.

Along with the upgrades and additional classes, the corporation plans to upgrade the turf and track, add lighting to the soccer field, and potentially renovate the City Pool for year-round use with the addition of the temporary dome.

According to the corporation’s financial advisor, Stifel, with debt rolling off the corporation’s books, the potential $23 million debt would not increase the property tax levy.