The first construction meeting for the renovation and addition at Newton’s Aurora Heights Elementary School is set for next week. Graphite Construction Group of Des Moines has been awarded the construction contract with a low bid of $12,895,000.  

Dirt work is underway at the school and ceiling tiles are being removed from the interior of the building so a new sprinkler system can be installed. District Maintenance Supervisor Jack Suttek says his staff will be working with the contractor to get different interior areas cleared for work. The first construction meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 12th.

Newton’s Aurora Heights and Thomas Jefferson Elementary Schools are being equipped to handle up to 500 pre-kindergarten through 4th grade students, as the district transitions from four to two elementary schools in the fall of 2026. The change is being made due to a continual decline in enrollment. Newton School Board President Robyn Friedman notes this year’s enrollment has been no different.

“Not that it’s a positive thing. But it validates all of our transition conversations last year and why we are moving forward with it. Overall, our enrollment is still trending negative.”

The addition and renovations at Thomas Jefferson Elementary will cost $5,378,349, and Bi-State Contracting in Burlington submitted the lowest bid for that project. The first construction meeting for that project was held on Wednesday, November 27th, and the next construction meeting is scheduled for December 18th.