Warsaw Hears Report On Elementary Building Projects
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By David [email protected]
Monday, the board heard a detailed 2-1/2-hour update on the plans for the new elementary schools and renovated schools from Kovert Hawkins' Jamie Lake.[[In-content Ad]]At the end of the 2003-04 school year, Atwood, Silver Lake and Claypool elementary schools were closed. Since then, students at those schools have been transported to other schools, contributing to overcrowding problems.
On May 21, 2007, the school board approved moving forward with Step 1 of Option A. Step 1 originally included replacing Leesburg Elementary with a new four-section school for $16 million; expanding and renovating Claypool and Jefferson schools for $10 million each; and replacing Madison with a new four-section school for $16 million. The total bond issue for Step 1 was estimated by architectural firm Kovert Hawkins to be $65 million.
The State Tax Control Board approved Warsaw's building project and forwarded a favorable recommendation to Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave in August. Musgrave approved the project in December at $59.16 million.
Monday, Warsaw Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Rob Haworth said the school board has heard for awhile now that the plan for Jefferson Elementary School will be to renovate it to a three-section school instead of a four-section school. A fourth section can be added later. Haworth said the change raised his eyebrows because the project was sold as making Jefferson into a four-section school. The fourth section will be offered to bidders now as an alternate. The main reason given as to the change is because of costs.
Lake said that was the plan. "If the bids surprise us, we'll do a design for a four-section school," he said.
Lake said when the project was sold to the public, there were a different set of state rules. He said what is frustrating is that the state has taken the project out of the hands of the school board. Prices also are out of control, there's inflation and it's a totally different environment than when the project was first proposed.
Lake went over each of the schools, except Claypool as Claypool's plans are still being finalized.
The security at Madison was highlighted, as the security entrance at Madison will be replicated at Jefferson and Claypool. The new Leesburg shares identical design plans as Madison.
"It's an enormous step in the security of these schools," said Lake.
At Madison and Leesburg, the English as a second language classrooms will be next to the special education classrooms, both of which are in the center of the new schools. The lighting and space will be improved for the special education classes.
"It's great to see the special education students in the middle of the school," said Delores Hearn, board member.
Lake said they have a space that is designed for them and their needs.
For the new schools, Haworth said Warsaw School Corp.'s technology department will be pulling all the wire in the buildings, "which is a huge savings for us."
"These buildings will be a showcase from a technology standpoint and not at an extravagant expense," said Lake.
The cafeterias at the new schools will seat about 340 students. The gym capacity is 500 on the bleachers. The bleachers face the stage on the opposite side of the gymnasium.
The new Madison school will be at the intersection of CRs 150W and 300N.
The property will remain in the county until the building project is complete. However, the city of Warsaw is involved in the process so that once the project is completed, it may become annexed into the city limits. Lake said keeping it zoned agriculture and in the county will make the project easier.
The new Leesburg school will be east of Baseline Road and south of Armstrong Road in Leesburg, across from the fire station. Haworth indicated someone was interested in purchasing the wetland on the property from the school corporation. Lake said, if the school system sold it, they had to make sure they got a drainage easement to drain the water from the property to the wetlands.
NIPSCO will provide Leesburg school with its gas and electric. Madison will be supplied with electricity from REMC and gas from NIPSCO.
The Jefferson site was reviewed. The renovation will include building a two-story area to the right of the gymnasium. The first floor will be for first and second grade, the second story will be for third through sixth grade and the computer lab. Kindergarten will be in the 1970s addition to the left of the gymnasium.
When it was asked when they would begin tearing down the old part of Jefferson for renovation, Lake said that would be some time in the spring.
Jefferson Principal Dennis Duncan, Haworth said, is actively working with Grace College to locate Grace classrooms that Warsaw Schools could use to house students while the project is ongoing. Haworth said he found Grace to be very helpful.
Concluding his presentation, Lake touched on the improved food service and cafeteria, and the playground facilities. Lake estimated that the investment for new playground equipment at the schools will be about $850,000. That is included in soft costs, not construction costs.
Monday, the board heard a detailed 2-1/2-hour update on the plans for the new elementary schools and renovated schools from Kovert Hawkins' Jamie Lake.[[In-content Ad]]At the end of the 2003-04 school year, Atwood, Silver Lake and Claypool elementary schools were closed. Since then, students at those schools have been transported to other schools, contributing to overcrowding problems.
On May 21, 2007, the school board approved moving forward with Step 1 of Option A. Step 1 originally included replacing Leesburg Elementary with a new four-section school for $16 million; expanding and renovating Claypool and Jefferson schools for $10 million each; and replacing Madison with a new four-section school for $16 million. The total bond issue for Step 1 was estimated by architectural firm Kovert Hawkins to be $65 million.
The State Tax Control Board approved Warsaw's building project and forwarded a favorable recommendation to Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave in August. Musgrave approved the project in December at $59.16 million.
Monday, Warsaw Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Rob Haworth said the school board has heard for awhile now that the plan for Jefferson Elementary School will be to renovate it to a three-section school instead of a four-section school. A fourth section can be added later. Haworth said the change raised his eyebrows because the project was sold as making Jefferson into a four-section school. The fourth section will be offered to bidders now as an alternate. The main reason given as to the change is because of costs.
Lake said that was the plan. "If the bids surprise us, we'll do a design for a four-section school," he said.
Lake said when the project was sold to the public, there were a different set of state rules. He said what is frustrating is that the state has taken the project out of the hands of the school board. Prices also are out of control, there's inflation and it's a totally different environment than when the project was first proposed.
Lake went over each of the schools, except Claypool as Claypool's plans are still being finalized.
The security at Madison was highlighted, as the security entrance at Madison will be replicated at Jefferson and Claypool. The new Leesburg shares identical design plans as Madison.
"It's an enormous step in the security of these schools," said Lake.
At Madison and Leesburg, the English as a second language classrooms will be next to the special education classrooms, both of which are in the center of the new schools. The lighting and space will be improved for the special education classes.
"It's great to see the special education students in the middle of the school," said Delores Hearn, board member.
Lake said they have a space that is designed for them and their needs.
For the new schools, Haworth said Warsaw School Corp.'s technology department will be pulling all the wire in the buildings, "which is a huge savings for us."
"These buildings will be a showcase from a technology standpoint and not at an extravagant expense," said Lake.
The cafeterias at the new schools will seat about 340 students. The gym capacity is 500 on the bleachers. The bleachers face the stage on the opposite side of the gymnasium.
The new Madison school will be at the intersection of CRs 150W and 300N.
The property will remain in the county until the building project is complete. However, the city of Warsaw is involved in the process so that once the project is completed, it may become annexed into the city limits. Lake said keeping it zoned agriculture and in the county will make the project easier.
The new Leesburg school will be east of Baseline Road and south of Armstrong Road in Leesburg, across from the fire station. Haworth indicated someone was interested in purchasing the wetland on the property from the school corporation. Lake said, if the school system sold it, they had to make sure they got a drainage easement to drain the water from the property to the wetlands.
NIPSCO will provide Leesburg school with its gas and electric. Madison will be supplied with electricity from REMC and gas from NIPSCO.
The Jefferson site was reviewed. The renovation will include building a two-story area to the right of the gymnasium. The first floor will be for first and second grade, the second story will be for third through sixth grade and the computer lab. Kindergarten will be in the 1970s addition to the left of the gymnasium.
When it was asked when they would begin tearing down the old part of Jefferson for renovation, Lake said that would be some time in the spring.
Jefferson Principal Dennis Duncan, Haworth said, is actively working with Grace College to locate Grace classrooms that Warsaw Schools could use to house students while the project is ongoing. Haworth said he found Grace to be very helpful.
Concluding his presentation, Lake touched on the improved food service and cafeteria, and the playground facilities. Lake estimated that the investment for new playground equipment at the schools will be about $850,000. That is included in soft costs, not construction costs.
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