Construction underway at District Office for alternative and special education programs
By Lynn Meadows, JCSD Director of Communications
JOHNSTON, Ia. (March 27, 2025 ) — Construction is underway in the northwest wing of the Johnston Community School District Office to create exciting new spaces for the Alternative High School Program, as well as for special education students in Johnston High School’s 4+ program.
The project consists of an interior renovation of approximately 10,500 square feet of currently unoccupied space in the 66,144 square foot District Office to support two academic programs.
Demolition of existing spaces began March 17 during Spring Break. The project is expected to be substantially completed by the end of July, with furniture delivery in mid-August. Students are scheduled to begin using these new spaces this fall, in the 2025-2026 school year.
Living, learning and working
Enter Door 4 of the District Office, the former entrance to Wallace Elementary, and you will be in the new home of the 4+ program. This part of the building will serve students who receive special education services from the age of 18 to 21. This program is known as the 4+ program or Johnston Launch Program (JLP).
Students attending this program will work on living, learning and working through their Individual Education Plan (IEP). Students will learn what it is like to take care of an apartment, if that is part of their goals. The renovation will also include two additional classrooms to accommodate students as they work on living, learning and working. 
“We are excited to be building a full apartment, which will allow students to work on living skills,” said Shawna Shanahan, Director of Special Education. “This will allow them to learn how to live independently or with some support. Students will have chores to keep the apartment clean, they will learn to make a bed, do laundry, plan and cook meals.”
The district currently has one classroom at Johnston High School that serves students in the 4+ program. The brand new space at the District Office will allow the district to serve students who qualify for the 4+ program at an additional location.
A new home for alternative programming
Enter Door 3 of the District Office, just east of where the 4+ program will be housed, and you’ll find the new space for Johnston’s Alternative High School Program.
This is the larger portion of the project, occupying about 60% of the space being renovated. It includes four general education classrooms, a special education classroom, a counseling office, a small conference room, front office, small work/break room and office space.
The program is expected to serve 40 to 50 students at a time who would benefit from a non-traditional educational environment. When one student finishes graduation requirements, another student could enroll.
“We are excited that the renovation is underway,” said Associate Superintendent Jill Van Woerkom. “Having our own permanent space for the Alternative High School Program here in Johnston will allow us to provide opportunities and serve even more students who need a smaller and more individualized learning environment.”
Alternative High School students have been attending classes this school year in a classroom on the southeast side of the District Office — in the same wing as the therapeutic classrooms and Drop-In School — as the district transitions to offering a wider range of educational supports to serve all students here at home.
Project details
The combined renovation project in the northwest wing of the District Office is being done by Dean Snyder Construction for $1.92 million. The project is being funded through the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) Fund. The space was previously occupied by Wallace Elementary before the school’s move to its current space in August 2018.