Independence Middle School

What an incredible evening at our Spring Choral Concert! From the Treble Makers opening the night to our combined 7th/8th grade choir performance, our students truly shined on stage. Their talent, confidence, and hard work were on full display, and we could not be more proud of them. A very special thank you to Mrs. Obrovac for her dedication, passion, and all of the time and effort she pours into our choir program each and every day. Thank you for creating such a memorable night for our students and families! 🎶👏

This week, in 8th Grade Science, students took time to review the proper vocabulary and steps to complete an experiment. They were able to come up with their own question & hypothesis to test…& had some fun trying to blow the biggest bubble!

Huge thank you to our amazing PTO for treating our staff to the BEST dirty soda bar today! 🥤✨ From the fun flavors to the little details, it was such a thoughtful way to make our staff feel appreciated and celebrated. We are so grateful for all you do for IMS and the joy you bring to our building. Thank you for always spoiling us! 💙

Thank you again to our amazing PTO for always making our staff feel so appreciated and celebrated! A thoughtful surprise gift followed by some hilarious piñata fun made our Wednesday even better. We are so grateful for all you do to support and spoil our IMS staff! 💙

A huge THANK YOU to our incredible PTO for providing such an amazing lunch for our staff today. We truly appreciate all the time, effort, and care you put into making us feel valued. It did not go unnoticed—and it was delicious! We are so grateful for your continued support of our IMS family!

Teacher Appreciation Week is off to a muy delicioso start! We kicked things off this morning with breakfast, and it was the perfect way to celebrate the incredible staff who make IMS such a special place every single day. We are so thankful for our amazing team—their dedication, energy, and heart do not go unnoticed. This week is all about YOU, and we can’t wait for all the fun ahead

For those residents who were unable to attend yesterday's tours, we want to share a look inside Independence Middle School and highlight key areas of concern discussed during the visit:

Stop #1: Main Entrance & Security

Our current entrance does not include a secured vestibule, limiting our ability to properly screen and monitor visitors before they enter the building.

Stop #2: Cracks in Floors & Walls

Cracking throughout parts of the building, including areas built just 20 years ago, reflects the facility’s aging condition and may point to underlying structural concerns.

Stop #3: Windows & Classroom Spaces

Original single-pane windows from 1961 are still in use. They are inefficient, difficult to repair, and make it challenging to maintain consistent indoor temperatures.

Stop #4: Courtyard Pipe Issue

A cracked sanitary pipe beneath the courtyard and building requires ongoing maintenance every 5–6 months. Repairs would be costly and highly disruptive.

Stop #5: Home Economics Room

This classroom is outdated, with aging equipment and limited resources, reflecting the need for modern, functional learning spaces.
Stop #6: Gym Roof & Water Leaks
Active leaks in the gym have caused visible damage and raise concerns about long-term structural integrity and interior conditions.

Stop #7: Air Handling Units

Aging HVAC systems struggle to properly circulate air and bring in fresh air, impacting efficiency and overall indoor air quality.

These stops highlight ongoing challenges within the IMS facility. We are committed to keeping our community informed as we continue planning for the future of our schools.

More details: https://aptg.co/nxL_MQ

Enrollment in Independence Local Schools has fluctuated over time. In the 1980s and early 1990s, total enrollment was at its lowest point, reaching 671 students. Enrollment increased through the late 1990s and 2000s, peaking at over 1,100 students. In recent years, enrollment has remained around 1,000 students.

Stop by our Primary and Middle School from 2–4 PM today!

We welcomed a special visitor who attended fourth grade here during the building’s very first year in 1956. He returned to walk the halls and relive cherished memories.

As you walk through today, you’ll see spaces that have served generations of students over many decades. This is an opportunity to reflect on our district’s history and observe the current condition of our facilities.

Join us TOMORROW, Sunday, May 3 from 2-4 at IPS and IMS for building tours. Bring your neighbors...bring your questions!

Happy National Principals Day to Mrs. Haley Mueller! Mrs. Mueller’s leadership, positivity, and dedication make a lasting impact on our middle school students and staff. She works tirelessly to create a supportive environment where students can grow, connect, and succeed.

Thank you, Mrs. Mueller, for everything you do for IMS. We are grateful for you! 💙💛

Join us TOMORROW - Thursday, April 30 at 7 p.m. at the Civic Center. What's the format? Q&A . . . we will answer the questions submitted over the past several months from our residents and any new ones. Hope to see you there!

What a great night at our Paint & Sip event! From creative masterpieces to our fancy dirty soda bar, it was the perfect mix of fun, laughter, and quality family time. Events like this truly showcase what makes our school community so special. A huge thank you to Ms. Bloam for organizing such a memorable experience, and to our amazing PTO for their continued support in making nights like this possible! We loved seeing so many families come together—already looking forward to the next one!

If the bond passes, the district will begin a formal postapproval planning process starting with an Owner–Partner Kickoff Meeting. This includes district leadership, school safety staff, police and fire departments, city engineering, traffic professionals, operations and maintenance staff, and design and construction partners. This ensures safety, emergency access, utilities, and daily operations are built into the project from the very beginning.

Have you watched? Take a moment to view the proposed PreK-8 school building fly around.

https://youtu.be/gtiO5GRVgAo?si=ljN0U_zKncifszrB

If approved by voters:

May 2026 approval
» Design: June 2026 – June 2027
» Construction: April 2027 – May 2029

The site plan is being shared to help the community understand how a new PreK–8 building could fit on the existing campus. It is part of the district’s commitment to transparency and early communication showing feasibility, relationships between site elements, and planning considerations before any final decisions are made.

https://youtu.be/gtiO5GRVgAo?si=F4I9B2DDJDYRmzJE