Warsaw Community High School's renovations and additions moved one step closer to reality Monday with the school board's approval of the 1028 resolution.

The resolution gave the maximum cost of all the projects as $30 million.

Projects included in the $30 million are: at the high school - additional office space and student dining space in the cafeteria, a 990-seat performing arts auditorium, an outdoor marching band area, a larger wrestling and weight room, a new track and football field with public seating, softball and soccer fields, and fire alarm and heating and air conditioning upgrades.

At the administration building, the heating and air conditioning systems will be upgraded and classroom and storage space will be added for the technology department.

Modifications also will be made to the east end of Lakeview Middle School, where Ivy Tech formerly was located and where the Alternative Learning Center will be, to allow for handicapped accessibility.

According to Jim Elizondo of City Securities, the maximum bond amount will be $30 million, with repayment spread over approximately 19 years. Because previous debt for two new elementary schools will be paid off in 2003 and the high school bonds will be paid off in 2010, Elizondo said, and because the district's assessed property valuation is increasing, the $30 million can be funded with no property tax increase.

During the public comments portion of the hearing, several parents echoed Steve Krim's support of the project: "I think it's an investment in the kids and an investment in the community... ."

Dana McAfee, WCHS theater teacher; Mickey Ratliff, WCHS band director; and Scott Avery, WCHS choral director, all spoke of the difficulties posed by using the auditorium at Lakeview Middle School for programs and plays.

"Safety issues are a huge concern," McAfee said of transporting students to Lakeview.

Ratliff and Avery emphasized that the projects would simply be a "continuation of what should have been done the first time around."

Their comments, as well as those of Scott Erba, WCHS health and physical education teacher, and Lee Walker, former student, were met with applause by the almost 50 patrons and faculty also supporting the project.

The board's vote on the 1028 resolution met with some opposition by board member Brad Brail, who was the lone vote against the resolution.

"When we started this process, we started with a balanced approach to improve facilities at the primary and secondary levels," Brail said. "I'm disappointed that we've moved away from literally all the projects at the elementary level. It ignores some equally important needs at the elementary level."

While he supported the projects included in the resolution, Brail said he voted against it to "reinforce the message that there are needs at the elementary level and they're basically being ignored by the plans that are before us this evening."

Jerry Gibson, the construction manager, said the estimated schedule would be to have designs done by mid-May, final estimates by mid-September, bids by mid- to late October, with construction starting in mid-November 2003. He estimated all the work would be done by November 2005. Gibson is an employee of Construction Control.

The board also approved an additional appropriation bond of $5.87 million, according to business manager Rande Thorpe, to "transfer unfunded contractual retirement and severance liability from the General Fund to the Debt Service Fund."

The board also:

• Approved temporary loan warrants for the Indiana Bond Bank. Thorpe said each year the school corporation borrows money for operating expenses because funds are received from the state only twice a year. He said the amount borrowed will probably be approximately $5 million, but the exact amount is not yet known.

• Denied an appeal of a student who had been expelled for disciplinary reasons. The case was discussed in executive session before the public board meeting, and no details were given for the public.

• Heard that enrollment at all schools was 6,438, up 75 from last year, according to Dr. David McGuire, superintendent.

• Unanimously passed board policies on civility, report of threat or intimidation against school employees, use of Automated External Defibrillators, standards of conduct for coaching staff, staff professional ethics, board meeting process and public participation at meetings and board organization.

Board members are: Craig Allebach, Brad Brail, Larry Chamberlain, Cathy Folk, James Folk, Mark Minatel and Roy Szymanski. Superintendent is Dr. David McGuire. The school board meets in the administration building at 7 p.m. the third Monday of each month. [[In-content Ad]]