Lack Of Space Projected At Madison
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Art is being moved to a portable classroom at Madison Elementary School this fall because of the projected lack of space.
According to information presented by Warsaw Schools Superintendent Dr. Dave McGuire to the Warsaw School Board Monday, as the administration has looked at the projected number of students for next year, there appears to be a need for another classroom at Madison. The suggested option is to move a portable classroom unit from Jefferson Elementary to house the Madison art program and use the existing art room as a regular classroom. Simply converting the room from an art room to a regular classroom will require the art teacher to move from room to room to provide art instruction. WCS maintenance director Greg Schroeder received a quote of $13,282 for the portable to be relocated.
Cathy Folk, WCS board member, questioned making this decision before they knew what the number of students at Madison were going to be for the 2005-06 school year.
McGuire said the "facilities committee did not want to address this issue." When asked why by board member Deb Wiggins, committee member and teacher Terry Sims said the committee felt their mission statement was to look at the long-range plans for Warsaw Schools and not to address short-term concerns, which the portable classroom issue is.
When board member Dan Robinson asked what the cost included, Schroeder said the quote includes everything needed to get the classroom going, except running electricity. Asked if restrooms were included, Schroeder said the portable has bathrooms, but they did not plan to hook them up in order to save money. The portable is approximately 15-16 years old, he said, so it will be a temporary solution.
Jefferson Principal Dennis Duncan said moving the portable from Jefferson to Madison will enhance the safety at Jefferson. Jefferson currently has four portables, one of which is used for art and music.
WCS has 12 portables total, Schroeder said, across three different school sites. "None of them are in the greatest conditions," he said.
Bathroom facilities for the children, board member Tammy Dalton said, is a concern. Jeff Neumann, Madison Elementary Principal, said the proposed location for the portable is an ideal place. It will be centrally located and enclosed on most sides by the school building. Access to bathrooms is just 15 feet through the side doors. As for actual supervision of the children to use the restroom, Neumann said, "Until it's set, I really can't see a plan."
When Schroeder said the portable would not have running water to keep costs down, board member Chuck Sauders said it sounded like a "half-baked plan." He said he's never known an art teacher who didn't need water. To put electricity, running water and sewer in the portable, Schroeder estimated it would cost another $5,000 to $6,000. Sauders, who had made a motion to approve the relocation of the portable, amended his motion to include adding electricity, water and sewer.
Wiggins suggested that before a request is made to the school board, it would be "advantageous" to present the board with options and their costs. She said it would be nice to know what they really wanted and what was affordable.
Folk questioned where the money was going to come from to pay for it. Director of Finance Kevin Scott said the money would come from a capital projects fund. That's unplanned spending, Folk said, they may not need depending on where students' families move. Because of the high school project, Wiggins said the school corporation already is dipping into the cumulative building fund.
McGuire said they assumed Madison would need additional classrooms because of the size of the kindergarten going into first grade.
Robinson asked if any other schools may need portables, and McGuire said Leesburg potentially may need two.
Schroeder said the New Castle company that can move the portable only has an open window for mid-July.
"Is it feasible to move it and not spend money to hook it up until we have to?" asked Robinson.
When one student walks into the portable, Sauders said, running water is needed in the classroom.
Patron Angela Fulton, during public comments, suggested instead of spending money on portables, the school corporation should consider redistricting. "I think in the long run, it may save money."
Teacher Terry Sims, a member of the facilities study committee, said, "I would disagree with redistricting at this time." It would be catastrophic at this time to do so to the students.
Rick Schooley said WCS had to close three elementary schools and build a sports complex. At that time, McGuire said there was room. Now there isn't. He asked why.
"The growth is uneven," said McGuire. He said WCS has room, just not in the right areas.
Sauders' motion to move the portable from Jefferson to Madison and hook up the water, sewer and electricity to it was approved by a vote of 6 to 1. Board president Ron Yeiter opposed. [[In-content Ad]]
Art is being moved to a portable classroom at Madison Elementary School this fall because of the projected lack of space.
According to information presented by Warsaw Schools Superintendent Dr. Dave McGuire to the Warsaw School Board Monday, as the administration has looked at the projected number of students for next year, there appears to be a need for another classroom at Madison. The suggested option is to move a portable classroom unit from Jefferson Elementary to house the Madison art program and use the existing art room as a regular classroom. Simply converting the room from an art room to a regular classroom will require the art teacher to move from room to room to provide art instruction. WCS maintenance director Greg Schroeder received a quote of $13,282 for the portable to be relocated.
Cathy Folk, WCS board member, questioned making this decision before they knew what the number of students at Madison were going to be for the 2005-06 school year.
McGuire said the "facilities committee did not want to address this issue." When asked why by board member Deb Wiggins, committee member and teacher Terry Sims said the committee felt their mission statement was to look at the long-range plans for Warsaw Schools and not to address short-term concerns, which the portable classroom issue is.
When board member Dan Robinson asked what the cost included, Schroeder said the quote includes everything needed to get the classroom going, except running electricity. Asked if restrooms were included, Schroeder said the portable has bathrooms, but they did not plan to hook them up in order to save money. The portable is approximately 15-16 years old, he said, so it will be a temporary solution.
Jefferson Principal Dennis Duncan said moving the portable from Jefferson to Madison will enhance the safety at Jefferson. Jefferson currently has four portables, one of which is used for art and music.
WCS has 12 portables total, Schroeder said, across three different school sites. "None of them are in the greatest conditions," he said.
Bathroom facilities for the children, board member Tammy Dalton said, is a concern. Jeff Neumann, Madison Elementary Principal, said the proposed location for the portable is an ideal place. It will be centrally located and enclosed on most sides by the school building. Access to bathrooms is just 15 feet through the side doors. As for actual supervision of the children to use the restroom, Neumann said, "Until it's set, I really can't see a plan."
When Schroeder said the portable would not have running water to keep costs down, board member Chuck Sauders said it sounded like a "half-baked plan." He said he's never known an art teacher who didn't need water. To put electricity, running water and sewer in the portable, Schroeder estimated it would cost another $5,000 to $6,000. Sauders, who had made a motion to approve the relocation of the portable, amended his motion to include adding electricity, water and sewer.
Wiggins suggested that before a request is made to the school board, it would be "advantageous" to present the board with options and their costs. She said it would be nice to know what they really wanted and what was affordable.
Folk questioned where the money was going to come from to pay for it. Director of Finance Kevin Scott said the money would come from a capital projects fund. That's unplanned spending, Folk said, they may not need depending on where students' families move. Because of the high school project, Wiggins said the school corporation already is dipping into the cumulative building fund.
McGuire said they assumed Madison would need additional classrooms because of the size of the kindergarten going into first grade.
Robinson asked if any other schools may need portables, and McGuire said Leesburg potentially may need two.
Schroeder said the New Castle company that can move the portable only has an open window for mid-July.
"Is it feasible to move it and not spend money to hook it up until we have to?" asked Robinson.
When one student walks into the portable, Sauders said, running water is needed in the classroom.
Patron Angela Fulton, during public comments, suggested instead of spending money on portables, the school corporation should consider redistricting. "I think in the long run, it may save money."
Teacher Terry Sims, a member of the facilities study committee, said, "I would disagree with redistricting at this time." It would be catastrophic at this time to do so to the students.
Rick Schooley said WCS had to close three elementary schools and build a sports complex. At that time, McGuire said there was room. Now there isn't. He asked why.
"The growth is uneven," said McGuire. He said WCS has room, just not in the right areas.
Sauders' motion to move the portable from Jefferson to Madison and hook up the water, sewer and electricity to it was approved by a vote of 6 to 1. Board president Ron Yeiter opposed. [[In-content Ad]]