Building more than just a house


Learning by doing for far-reaching benefits ... Waukon High School students are responsible for the construction progress shown in the surrounding photos of the house currently being constructed on Twelfth Street NW in Waukon. The house is one of seven homes in Waukon that has been built by the construction class over the past 10 years, with the more recent homes built being a cooperative learning and development effort between the Allamakee Community School District, Waukon Economic Development Corporation and the City of Waukon. Submitted photos.

submitted through the
cooperative efforts of
Waukon Economic
Development Corporation and the Allamakee
Community School District

Driving west on old Highway 9 one cannot help but notice the housing development taking place on Twelfth Street NW just south of the Wellness Center. As one looks closer, it appears that high school students are the carpenters building a new house.
That observation would be correct as the students are part of the Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Career and Technical Education program. The students are completing high school course work and at the same time are earning transferable credits from Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) in their construction trades classes.

During the past 10 years, the high school building program has constructed seven new homes and completed a remodeling project. This is the fourth year where a cooperative program between the City of Waukon, which owns the property in the Twelfth Street urban renewal area, Waukon Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and the school district have come together to facilitate the building of a new house. Through the efforts of these organizations, what was once a trailer park in need of significant improvements is now a welcoming residential district which has facilitated an accredited and comprehensive vocational learning experience.

Several hurdles had to be overcome for the program to move forward. State law restricts the school from owning the project, especially the land involved, and limits what funds the school can set aside for the project. This is where WEDC gets involved by acquiring ownership of the property and arranging financing for the house being constructed. In essence, WEDC becomes the general contractor.

As the owner of the property, the City of Waukon developed the land, covering infrastructure costs. Through a development agreement with WEDC, the City committed to selling five lots at market value over a five-year period to WEDC for use by the school to build homes. The agreement further stipulates that any profits derived by WEDC through the sale of completed projects have to be given to the school to help fund vocational education programs.

As a nonprofit corporation, this requirement fits perfectly into WEDC’s business plan. Material suppliers, subcontractors and other businesses further incentivized the program by offering discounts, allowing longer timeframes for payments to be made, and even donating goods and services.

Students have to apply for acceptance into the program.  School administrators and faculty require that students complete a “job application” and are interviewed. This process simulates a real world job application and interview process. Mr. Jed Hemann and Mr. Caleb Ferring are the teachers directly responsible for the class work and directly supervise the actual building. They are also responsible for ordering and receiving all materials and coordinating the project with subcontractors.

Because the student carpenters can only work on the project when school is in session and then only for part of the day because of other class work, the building process takes most of the school year.  This is a longer timeframe than a conventional builder would need to complete a home. Prior to having lots available near the school, the school administration had to arrange for a school bus and driver to transport students to the work site and back again.  This process often took 15 or more minutes each day, which was a significant loss of working time. Now with the project site within easy walking distance to and from the school, the need for a bus was eliminated and students can reach the site in less than 10 minutes. This makes for a much more productive work day.

Shortly after school begins each fall, and the basement is readied for construction, WEDC begins to advertise the home for sale. With plans, a budget, and work started, potential buyers can get a pretty good idea of what the finished product will look like. By purchasing early, the new owner can have input on how the home will be completed. Paint colors, flooring options, trim choices, upgrades in cabinets and many other options can be accommodated. These changes are accomplished by change orders which list the change but also cost decreases or increases so all parties know how changes will affect the final sale price.

Because the school construction course is an ongoing program, options exist for potential buyers who want to utilize the school building program to build their home.  This requires that potential buyers be their own general contractor and arrange their financing. Waukon High School Principal Dr. Mike Hardy or Mr. Hemann would be the best persons to visit with to see if this option would be desirable.

Members of the Waukon City Council are excited to see the area being developed. The school community is glad to have this quality experience available to their students. WEDC is here to help all parties achieve their goals. The whole community can take pride in this innovative and beneficial learning experience.