Wawasee Eyes Future Building Plans
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
SYRACUSE - Facility options took precedence Tuesday during the Wawasee Community School Corp. board meeting.
The board members discussed several important aspects of their options.
One important part of any option they undertake is the possibility of site acquisition. If the board decides to build a new school, more land may need to be acquired. The board said a possibility of acquiring property around the North Webster school should be considered if they want to renovate or expand the current building.
Several of the board members said they would like to keep the school within city limits, making site acquisition more probable.
Architect Gary Watkins began the discussion by presenting several items which the board asked him to complete. The first item was how the board might go about site acquisition. Watkins said he did not have anything definitive at the time, but it should be a consideration the board should think about.
Watkins also presented to the board comments that other school corporations gave about building renovation experiences. Some of the comments were positive about their experiences. Superintendent Mark Stock said some of the schools he talked to personally did not have a choice about renovation of their schools but lived with the process.
The board wanted information on other schools to help them decide whether to renovate the North Webster school or build a new one.
The oldest part of the North Webster school was built in 1917, Watkins said. Other areas of the building were built in 1955 and the last addition was in 1972. Watkins said age might be a consideration as to whether the board wants to renovate or build a new school.
"Yes, we can add a new building to that site, but it doesn't leave a lot of site left," Watkins said.
Other concerns the board discussed were land acquisition, Ind. 13, traffic and the problems of conducting class while construction is taking place.
In other news, the budget, capital project fund and bus replacement plan were adopted. The budget reports and financial report were also discussed and approved.
The board also gave approval for an overnight FFA trip.
"I think it's outstanding that we have several students competing at this level," board member Carol Swartzendruber said. [[In-content Ad]]
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SYRACUSE - Facility options took precedence Tuesday during the Wawasee Community School Corp. board meeting.
The board members discussed several important aspects of their options.
One important part of any option they undertake is the possibility of site acquisition. If the board decides to build a new school, more land may need to be acquired. The board said a possibility of acquiring property around the North Webster school should be considered if they want to renovate or expand the current building.
Several of the board members said they would like to keep the school within city limits, making site acquisition more probable.
Architect Gary Watkins began the discussion by presenting several items which the board asked him to complete. The first item was how the board might go about site acquisition. Watkins said he did not have anything definitive at the time, but it should be a consideration the board should think about.
Watkins also presented to the board comments that other school corporations gave about building renovation experiences. Some of the comments were positive about their experiences. Superintendent Mark Stock said some of the schools he talked to personally did not have a choice about renovation of their schools but lived with the process.
The board wanted information on other schools to help them decide whether to renovate the North Webster school or build a new one.
The oldest part of the North Webster school was built in 1917, Watkins said. Other areas of the building were built in 1955 and the last addition was in 1972. Watkins said age might be a consideration as to whether the board wants to renovate or build a new school.
"Yes, we can add a new building to that site, but it doesn't leave a lot of site left," Watkins said.
Other concerns the board discussed were land acquisition, Ind. 13, traffic and the problems of conducting class while construction is taking place.
In other news, the budget, capital project fund and bus replacement plan were adopted. The budget reports and financial report were also discussed and approved.
The board also gave approval for an overnight FFA trip.
"I think it's outstanding that we have several students competing at this level," board member Carol Swartzendruber said. [[In-content Ad]]