SYRACUSE - A demographic study is the first step in upgrading buildings in the Wawasee school system.

Upon superintendent Mark Stock's recommendation, the school board Tuesday approved hiring two consultants to conduct the study. The last demographic study was done in 1990.

Stock said the study would provide information on birth rates, housing starts, past enrollment, enrollment projections, a facility analysis, a financial analysis, and a study of year-round education. This information will help the board determine what improvements are necessary and whether to consider a building project.

Stock said a new law requires the study of year-round education; he doesn't believe the corporation will have to go this route. "Our problem is not overcrowding, but updating," he said.

The study will cost $11,000.

While the demographic study is being conducted, questionnaires will be sent to several architectural firms. After the questionnaires are returned, Stock and two others will narrow the field to three or four candidates, who will be interviewed by the school board in April.

In the meantime, citizens committees will be formed in each town in the Wawasee system. Core groups from each committee will meet to tour the schools and find out the concerns each community has. "The whole program has to be supported by the entire Wawasee community," Stock said.

Community approval is important because of the remonstrance process, which can halt any plans to upgrade or build. Stock wants as much input as possible so the corporation knows what people want for their school buildings.

The board agreed. "We can sit here and say there are needs, but those folks out there are the ones who have to say" what they are, said Marion Acton.

In other business:

• The board recognized Lucas White, who finished second in the state in the Daughters of the American Revolution essay contest. White, an eighth-grader at Wawasee Middle School, finished first in the DAR's county essay contest and went on to compete against 92 other county champs. His essay topic was "Santa Fe Trail."

• Permission was granted to advertise for bids to replace the gym roof at North Webster Elementary.

• Clark Jones was appointed to the Milford Public Library Board.

• The corporation renewed its agreements for latchkey programs with New Beginnings Child Care, North Webster Day Care and Lakeland Community Services Day Care.

• Wander Wawasee is set for 3 to 8 p.m. April 17.

Because of spring vacation, the April school board meeting was moved to April 22. [[In-content Ad]]