Mount Pleasant Community School District Superintendent John Henrickson is seeking to settle confusion and calm concerns following a recent article that misrepresented the district’s intentions for the P.E.O. Memorial Building.
The Mississippi Valley Publishing Group recently published a story suggesting that the district had decided to demolish the historic structure, located on the former Iowa Wesleyan University Central Campus, which the school district purchased earlier this year. However, Superintendent Henrickson emphasized that no such decision has been made.
In a public statement, Henrickson clarified:
“Several weeks ago I met with correspondent Bob Hansen of the Mississippi Valley Publishing Group regarding Mount Pleasant Community School District’s (MPCSD) purchase of the former Iowa Wesleyan University Central Campus. We discussed details of the purchase and how Central Campus fits into the District’s long-range facilities plan. Mr. Hansen produced a well-written article; however, the P.E.O Memorial Building is not set to be demolished as the article’s title states. The MPCSD school board has not ‘moved for its destruction.’ The District continues to evaluate and discuss the best uses of Central Campus to meet the needs of our students.”
At this time, there are no intentions to demolish the P.E.O. Memorial Building. Instead, the district is considering further community input, potentially through additional surveys, to guide the planning process for the Central Campus.
Residents are encouraged to stay engaged in upcoming discussions, as the district moves forward with careful consideration of both educational needs and the preservation of community landmarks.