Warsaw Schools Spells Out Building Plans
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
A resolution that spells out general plans for Warsaw schools' proposed building project was read to the public for the first time Monday night.
The resolution will be read a second time at the March 18 Warsaw Community School Board meeting, and is expected to be approved at that time.
The resolution, presented by board president Craig Allebach, says the facilities plan, to be accomplished between 2002-2011, includes:
• A new three-section school in Prairie Township to replace Atwood Elementary;
• An auditorium and performing arts center to be added to Warsaw Community High School;
• Outdoor physical development facilities, including a track; football, soccer and softball fields; a band practice area; and supporting infrastructure to be built at WCHS;
• A weight and wrestling room to be added to WCHS;
• An addition to the administrative office building for the technology department (already included in the 2002 budget);
• A goal of $1 million per year to be set aside "for the purpose of supporting facility improvements designed to promote educational equity in our elementary schools";
• Proposals for conducting facilities assessments of schools that have not yet been assessed;
• Proposals for a redistricting study of elementary school boundaries.
Funding for the above projects will include a bond issue that will not exceed $30 million.
Board member Roy Szymanski asked for details on the board's plans for Silver Lake Elementary.
Allebach said it was not part of the resolution, but "we'll do whatever it takes financially to keep it in good working order."
Board member Larry Chamberlain said that once various architects are assigned to the projects, the board will take a closer look at the costs, which they hope will be lower than the estimates.
Approximately 50 people were present at the meeting, but there was no public comment on the proposed resolution.
In other business, the board:
• Heard a report from Ken Surber, of the WCHS vocational department, on various programs in that department, including the health occupations program and competency-based curriculum.
• Heard from Harman about the process individual schools are going through to comply with Public Law 221, the state-mandated school improvement program. Schools will turn in their plans to Harman first, who will make suggestions and send the plans back. They will then send their revised plans to the school board, and after that, to the state.
"A tremendous amount of work has been involved in this that is coming to an end of sorts," Harman said. The process will be continuous from now on, he said.
• Got the first draft of next year's school calendar. The 2002-03 school year is expected to begin for students Aug. 20, with two weeks off, Dec. 23 to Jan. 3 for Christmas vacation and April 7-11 for spring break.
The board will meet next at 7 p.m. March 18.
Board members are Craig Allebach, Brad Brail, Larry Chamberlain, Cathy Folk, James Folk, Charles Sauders and Roy Szymanski. James Folk was absent Monday. [[In-content Ad]]
A resolution that spells out general plans for Warsaw schools' proposed building project was read to the public for the first time Monday night.
The resolution will be read a second time at the March 18 Warsaw Community School Board meeting, and is expected to be approved at that time.
The resolution, presented by board president Craig Allebach, says the facilities plan, to be accomplished between 2002-2011, includes:
• A new three-section school in Prairie Township to replace Atwood Elementary;
• An auditorium and performing arts center to be added to Warsaw Community High School;
• Outdoor physical development facilities, including a track; football, soccer and softball fields; a band practice area; and supporting infrastructure to be built at WCHS;
• A weight and wrestling room to be added to WCHS;
• An addition to the administrative office building for the technology department (already included in the 2002 budget);
• A goal of $1 million per year to be set aside "for the purpose of supporting facility improvements designed to promote educational equity in our elementary schools";
• Proposals for conducting facilities assessments of schools that have not yet been assessed;
• Proposals for a redistricting study of elementary school boundaries.
Funding for the above projects will include a bond issue that will not exceed $30 million.
Board member Roy Szymanski asked for details on the board's plans for Silver Lake Elementary.
Allebach said it was not part of the resolution, but "we'll do whatever it takes financially to keep it in good working order."
Board member Larry Chamberlain said that once various architects are assigned to the projects, the board will take a closer look at the costs, which they hope will be lower than the estimates.
Approximately 50 people were present at the meeting, but there was no public comment on the proposed resolution.
In other business, the board:
• Heard a report from Ken Surber, of the WCHS vocational department, on various programs in that department, including the health occupations program and competency-based curriculum.
• Heard from Harman about the process individual schools are going through to comply with Public Law 221, the state-mandated school improvement program. Schools will turn in their plans to Harman first, who will make suggestions and send the plans back. They will then send their revised plans to the school board, and after that, to the state.
"A tremendous amount of work has been involved in this that is coming to an end of sorts," Harman said. The process will be continuous from now on, he said.
• Got the first draft of next year's school calendar. The 2002-03 school year is expected to begin for students Aug. 20, with two weeks off, Dec. 23 to Jan. 3 for Christmas vacation and April 7-11 for spring break.
The board will meet next at 7 p.m. March 18.
Board members are Craig Allebach, Brad Brail, Larry Chamberlain, Cathy Folk, James Folk, Charles Sauders and Roy Szymanski. James Folk was absent Monday. [[In-content Ad]]