Author’s Note: This story is being republished because it is important to the Paullina and surrounding area communities. This second publication also corrects a naming error. My apology to Pastor Don Meyer and the entire Zion Lutheran Church congregation.
Mari

by Mari Radtke
The Zion Lutheran Church congregation gave their approval for a school construction project on their property on Sunday July 14. An initial design and plan was presented and the members of Zion Lutheran Church gave their permission.
The first architectural drawings, to be paid by student tuition, regular church support and perhaps other donations will fund the project, according to Pastor Don Wagner. The proposed building project design is 10,000 square feet being 6 classrooms and a principal’s office. The current estimated cost, which will change with the plans, is $3 – $3.5 million.
Room assignments will be juggled around. The current preschool classroom becomes the secretary’s office, if all plans remain the same. Relocating the offices improves security at all school entries. Existing classrooms, some as small as 300 square feet, in the new area will be as large as 900 square feet. “That creates a better teaching and learning environment,” said Pastor. He also mentioned that classes won’t have to be capped. Some of the existing classrooms may then be converted for special classroom set up such as reading groups or for church use. Pastor shared his hope that there may be one day a music program. He also noted that as more rooms are available, staffing will increase as well.
The trajectory of student count over the past few years is up. When asked, Pastor said the ESA (Education Savings Account) may have something to do with it. It allows families to afford to attend [a private school]. He does expect the trajectory of growth to continue.
Now that the school has permission to build the next step is to get a much more detailed drawing, develop costs and solicit construction bids. If all things work well, he hopes ground can be broken yet this year, 2024. Depending on how things go, there is hope the put kids in the new classrooms in the fall of 2025, but there are many, many variables to reach that date.