With little discussion and no public comment, Warsaw school board Monday unanimously approved the building program that has been under consideration for several months.

The resolution for the Facilities Plan 2002-2011, which was proposed at last month's school board meeting, includes:

• A new three-section school to be built in Prairie Township to replace Atwood Elementary;

• An auditorium and performing arts center at Warsaw Community High School;

• Outdoor physical development facilities at WCHS, including a track; football, softball and soccer fields; band practice area; and "all related infrastructure to support these facilities";

• A weight and wrestling room at WCHS;

• An addition to the central office building to house technology and other support services.

The resolution also includes a plan to set aside $1 million per year to use on facility improvements "designed to promote educational equity in our elementary schools"; and provisions for conducting facility assessments of buildings that were not assessed in the past, and a study on redistricting elementary school boundaries.

The Facilities Plan is to be financed through the school corporation's Capital Projects Fund and Debt Service bonds not to exceed $30 million.

Before the board voted on the resolution, board member Charles Sauders asked where Silver Lake Elementary fit into the resolution, and if the $1 million for "educational equity" would apply to Silver Lake.

Craig Allebach, board president, said, "Not specifically, not any more than any other school. Anything done to Silver Lake would come under the CPF."

The board had originally proposed closing Silver Lake school, but, because of opposition, decided to leave it open but not renovate the building.

Brad Brail, board member, said, "We're not limiting future action on Silver Lake, simply not taking it. We're not eliminating the possibility that Debt Service could be used in the future."

The next step, said school superintendent Dr. Lee Harman, will be establishing a timeline and taking the bond issue through the legal steps.

In other business, the board:

• Heard from business manager Rande Thorpe that the uncertainty at the state level on property tax restructuring and the state deficit has led to uncertainty at the local level.

"Right now I cannot tell you how these things might or might not affect Warsaw Community Schools," he said.

However, he said, it is nothing new to the corporation. "This is pretty much what our financial position has been for several years. ... We have tried to plan and prepare for an adverse situation."

• Heard a report from Dick and Nancy Rooker on the March 16 EdCom Expo, which they described as a "community-wide celebration of learning."

Last year 300 students were involved in the Expo; this year there were approximately 700 students. Some people mistakenly believe the Expo is only about technology. "It is not a technology fair - it is a learning celebration," Nancy Rooker said.

They would like the size of the Expo to continue to grow, and would also like community participation.

• Heard from Washington Elementary principal Tom Ray that summer school classes will be similar to those in the past, but the corporation will not offer enrichment classes this year because the state will reimburse only half the cost of those classes. Remedial classes will be offered.

• Approved requesting new bids for the first phase of air conditioning installation at Lakeview Middle School. Bids for this phase already were received and all were above what was budgeted, said Greg Schroeder, director of buildings and grounds. Schroeder revised the project and will seek new bids.

• Approved the school calendar for the 2002-03 school year. The year will begin for students on Aug. 20, with Dec. 23 through Jan. 3 off for Christmas break and April 7-11 for spring break. Last day of school will be May 16.

• Heard that enrollment as of Monday was 6,292 students in all schools, compared to last year at the same time, which was 6,295.

Warsaw school board members are Craig Allebach, Brad Brail, Larry Chamberlain, Cathy Folk, James Folk, Charles Sauders and Roy Szymanski. Superintendent is Dr. Lee Harman and assistant superintendent is Dr. David McGuire. [[In-content Ad]]