Amity School District
Dedicated To Excellence In Education
Bond program
The Amity School District Capital Bond project is aimed at renovating and upgrading the facilities of Amity High School and Amity Middle School, as well as implementing new security measures at Amity Elementary School. The project will help in creating a shared-use facility for both the high school and the middle school, and will also provide much-needed additional space and modern amenities for students and staff.
Amity High School Renovation: This phase of the project will involve a renovation of the existing high school. The renovation will include the addition of new spaces such as a library, a competition gymnasium, locker rooms, a team room, art classrooms, science classrooms. This will significantly enhance the learning environment and provide students with the latest in technological and instructional resources.
Amity Middle School Replacement: In this phase, the middle school will be joined with the high school campus to create a shared use facility. This will enable the district to better serve students in grades 6-12 and will also provide additional capacity for students. The project will include the addition of eight new classrooms, science lab and the existing high school gymnasium.
The Elementary School will receive new security updates, including door access controls and a secured vestibule at the front entry. This will ensure a safe and secure environment for students, teachers, and staff. Additionally, a two-classroom modular will be installed at the Elementary School to allow for additional capacity.
The Amity School District Capital Bond project is a crucial investment in the future of Amity’s students and the community. It will provide state-of-the-art facilities, modern amenities, and a safe and secure learning environment for generations to come.
Live Stream updates
Click the link below to see live stream updates and photos of the construction progress!
Amity MS/HS - Renderings
Click on the images below to view panoramas of renderings.
Renderings by
Video Updates
Amity High School -
Capital Bond Program 2022
Amity Middle School + Elementary School -
Capital Bond Program 2022
Groundbreaking
September 29th, 2023, marked a new beginning for Amity School District 4J with the groundbreaking of the upcoming middle and high school project. This event, celebrated with community members and project teams, symbolized the start of an exciting journey towards enhancing our educational landscape. The scope of work for the Amity bond project includes renovating Amity High School, adding new spaces like a library and a competition gymnasium, and amalgamating Amity Middle School with the high school campus to form a shared-use facility. This merge will also introduce eight new classrooms, a science lab, and additional capacity for students Thank you to all who participated. The future looks bright!
Bond Update
As we advance in refining the design process for our bond project, our architects have been providing budget estimates for each iteration of the plan. Recently, we found ourselves around five million dollars above our construction budget. While this may sound concerning, both our architects (IBI) and project management firm (HMK) assured us that this is quite common and even on the lower end of what they typically see at this stage.
To meet our highest priority bond objectives, we must continue to modify, refine, and make reductions where necessary. With every project, the wish list tends to be longer than the available funding. One quick decision for change was to remove the relocation of the 5th grade to the MS/HS campus. This proposal was initially made to accommodate growth at the elementary school, which currently utilizes all available classrooms.
Amity is a town projected to experience growth in the coming decade, with the anticipated housing likely to bring in a significant number of school-aged children. While this is a positive challenge for our school, it can be addressed in various ways. By keeping 5th graders at the elementary school, we can save approximately $600,000 on the construction project, bringing us closer to our maximum affordable construction cost.
It’s also important to mention that the 5th-grade relocation was likely the least popular aspect of the bond proposal. The board decided to make this change during their last meeting, after considering input from IBI, HMK, and school administrators.
Our ultimate goal throughout this bond process is to create an exceptional learning environment for our students for many years to come. We aim to be responsible stewards of the funds and facilities entrusted to us as a district. This change does not compromise that objective and helps us maintain our financial principles. We’re grateful for the incredible community support we’ve received so far in this process.
Projects
Info and updates
Amity Elementary School
- New Security Updates Including (but not limited to):
- Door Access Controls
- Secured Vestibule at the Front Entry
- Install a two-classroom modular to allow for additional capacity
Current Activities
We’ve completed the core of the renovation of the Elementary School, and now we’re finalizing key items like security cameras and intercom systems.
We’re also reviewing final change requests and handling billing to close out the project.
Amity Middle School Replacement
- Grades 6-8 join the High School campus to create a shared use facility
- Add student capacity through:
- Eight new classrooms
- Renovated science
- Renovated gymnasium
- Renovated existing classroom spaces
Coming soon!
General Program Update
The Amity School District Bond Program reached a major milestone this summer with the completion of the 1965 wing renovation at the high school. The project was completed just in time for the start of the school year, thanks to the extraordinary efforts of our construction partners, who worked tirelessly to meet the tight deadline. Their dedication ensured that students and staff returned to an upgraded and modernized facility that is now better equipped to meet today’s educational needs. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the school staff for their remarkable flexibility and understanding throughout the renovation process. The project required adjustments to the usual start-of-school routines, and staff members adapted seamlessly to these changes, ensuring that students were welcomed back into a refreshed learning environment with minimal disruption. Their patience and cooperation were instrumental in the success of this phase of the bond program. While the renovation of the 1965 wing is complete, other major projects continue to move forward. The middle school addition and the high school competition gym are both progressing according to schedule, with structural work advancing steadily. These ongoing projects will address critical capacity needs and provide enhanced athletic facilities,
Current Activities
With the completion of the 1965 wing renovation behind us, the focus of the Amity School District Bond Program has now shifted to ensuring the middle school addition and high school competition gym are “dryed-in” before the onset of winter. This is a critical step that will allow interior work to proceed during the colder months without weather-related delays. Efforts are currently centered on completing the exterior framing, installing roofing systems, and sealing the buildings to protect them from the elements. Both the middle school addition and the high school gym are advancing steadily, with crews working diligently to finish the exterior structural work. Achieving a fully dry facility is essential for
staying on schedule and enabling the next phase of construction—interior work on classrooms, gym spaces, and supporting infrastructure.
Alongside this, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems are being roughed in where possible, laying the groundwork for the integration of essential building services. Our teams are coordinating closely to ensure that all these systems will be ready for final installation once the buildings are sealed. The next few weeks will be crucial, as we focus on weatherproofing the structures before the winter rains begin. Successful completion of this phase will keep the project on track for an interior build-out through the winter and spring months.
Activities Scheduled for Next Period
In the upcoming month, the focus of the Amity School District Bond Program will remain on ensuring that both the middle school addition and high school competition gym are completely “dryed-in” before winter weather sets in. Completing the exterior work, including roofing and sealing, is critical to maintaining the project’s timeline and preparing for interior construction.
The construction teams will continue to concentrate on:
• Finalizing the exterior framing and roofing installations to secure the buildings against the elements.
• Installing windows and exterior doors to complete the weatherproofing process.
• Continuing rough-ins for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems to keep progress steady on the internal infrastructure.
Once these facilities are weatherproof, interior work, such as drywall installation, flooring, and final system installations, can move forward without interruption during the winter months. The successful completion of this phase will ensure the project remains on schedule for a smooth transition into interior construction through the winter.
Highlights, Challenges, Solutions
CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS
Manpower and Coordination: Coordinating the extensive manpower needed to complete the 1965 wing renovation on time has been a significant challenge. Ensuring that all teams work efficiently and that there are no delays or overlaps in the schedule requires meticulous planning and execution.
SOLUTIONS
Close Collaboration with Contractors: We maintain close communication and collaboration with our contractors to ensure that everyone is aligned with the project goals and timelines. Regular meetings and updates help address any issues promptly and keep the project on track.
Amity High School Renovation
- Add Middle School to the campus to create a shared use facility
- Renovate existing HS
- Add square footage with new spaces including:
- Library
- Competition Gymnasium
- Locker Rooms
- Team Room
- Art Classroom
- Science Classroom
- General Education Classrooms
Coming soon!
General Program Update
The Amity School District Bond Program reached a major milestone this summer with the completion of the 1965 wing renovation at the high school. The project was completed just in time for the start of the school year, thanks to the extraordinary efforts of our construction partners, who worked tirelessly to meet the tight deadline. Their dedication ensured that students and staff returned to an upgraded and modernized facility that is now better equipped to meet today’s educational needs. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the school staff for their remarkable flexibility and understanding throughout the renovation process. The project required adjustments to the usual start-of-school routines, and staff members adapted seamlessly to these changes, ensuring that students were welcomed back into a refreshed learning environment with minimal disruption. Their patience and cooperation were instrumental in the success of this phase of the bond program. While the renovation of the 1965 wing is complete, other major projects continue to move forward. The middle school addition and the high school competition gym are both progressing according to schedule, with structural work advancing steadily. These ongoing projects will address critical capacity needs and provide enhanced athletic facilities,
Current Activities
With the completion of the 1965 wing renovation behind us, the focus of the Amity School District Bond Program has now shifted to ensuring the middle school addition and high school competition gym are “dryed-in” before the onset of winter. This is a critical step that will allow interior work to proceed during the colder months without weather-related delays. Efforts are currently centered on completing the exterior framing, installing roofing systems, and sealing the buildings to protect them from the elements. Both the middle school addition and the high school gym are advancing steadily, with crews working diligently to finish the exterior structural work. Achieving a fully dry facility is essential for
staying on schedule and enabling the next phase of construction—interior work on classrooms, gym spaces, and supporting infrastructure.
Alongside this, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems are being roughed in where possible, laying the groundwork for the integration of essential building services. Our teams are coordinating closely to ensure that all these systems will be ready for final installation once the buildings are sealed. The next few weeks will be crucial, as we focus on weatherproofing the structures before the winter rains begin. Successful completion of this phase will keep the project on track for an interior build-out through the winter and spring months.
Activities Scheduled for Next Period
In the upcoming month, the focus of the Amity School District Bond Program will remain on ensuring that both the middle school addition and high school competition gym are completely “dryed-in” before winter weather sets in. Completing the exterior work, including roofing and sealing, is critical to maintaining the project’s timeline and preparing for interior construction.
The construction teams will continue to concentrate on:
• Finalizing the exterior framing and roofing installations to secure the buildings against the elements.
• Installing windows and exterior doors to complete the weatherproofing process.
• Continuing rough-ins for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems to keep progress steady on the internal infrastructure.
Once these facilities are weatherproof, interior work, such as drywall installation, flooring, and final system installations, can move forward without interruption during the winter months. The successful completion of this phase will ensure the project remains on schedule for a smooth transition into interior construction through the winter.
Highlights, Challenges, Solutions
CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS
Manpower and Coordination: Coordinating the extensive manpower needed to complete the 1965 wing renovation on time has been a significant challenge. Ensuring that all teams work efficiently and that there are no delays or overlaps in the schedule requires meticulous planning and execution.
SOLUTIONS
Close Collaboration with Contractors: We maintain close communication and collaboration with our contractors to ensure that everyone is aligned with the project goals and timelines. Regular meetings and updates help address any issues promptly and keep the project on track.
community details
- Amanda Grove
- Current Chair
- Tim Haarsma
- Current Vice Chair
- Ryan Jones
- Jennifer Leppin
- Ray Bottenberg
Amity SD Board Meeting Notes – March 9, 2022
Amity SD Board Meeting Notes – May 10, 2022
Amity SD Board Meeting Notes – May 17, 2022
Amity SD Board Meeting Notes – August 21, 2022
Amity SD Board Meeting Notes – September 21, 2022
Amity SD Board Meeting Notes – October 12, 2022
Amity SD Board Meeting Notes – November 10, 2022
Amity SD Board Meeting Notes – December 14, 2022
Amity SD Board Meeting Notes – March 9, 2023
Amity SD Board Meeting Notes – May 10, 2023
Amity SD Board Meeting Notes – August 9, 2023
Amity SD Board Meeting Notes – September 20, 2023
- Mary Matocha
- Principal
- Jeff Clark
- Superintendent
- Jeanna Bottenberg
- Ryan McKinney
- Melinda Wallace
- Mike Ludwig
- Karl McShane
- Becky Prevett
- David McKay
- Program Director
- Paul Chamberlin
- Project Manager
- Rebecca Stuecker
- Principal, IBI Group
- Levi Patterson
- Associate Principal, IBI Group
- Andrew Werth
- Architect, IBI Group
- Chris Daniel
- Principal
- Jeff Clark
- Superintendent
- Tashi Haarsma (AD)
- Amanda Grove
- Jed McMullen
- Lauren Sawyer
- Craig Wilson
- David McKay
- Program Director
- Paul Chamberlin
- Project Manager
- Rebecca Stuecker
- Principal, IBI Group
- Levi Patterson
- Associate Principal, IBI Group
- Andrew Werth
- Architect, IBI Group