Before beginning the interviews with architectural firms Wednesday, the Warsaw School Board and Superintendent Dr. Robert Haworth discussed interview and selection processes.

The firms are not making their presentations to sell a particular project, Haworth said, but to sell themselves to the board for whatever building projects the board decides to take on, and to help sell any such projects to the community. Moake Park and Scearce Rudisel/Schmidt Associates made their presentations Wednesday. Tonight, the firms of MSKTD, Odle McGuire & Shook and Kovert Hawkins make their presentations.

In September 2003, the previous Warsaw School Board voted to close the Atwood, Claypool and Silver Lake elementary schools, citing budget concerns. Students at those schools have since been bussed to other Warsaw School Corp. elementaries.

Haworth said Wednesday that classroom instructional time at some elementary schools is now being held in basements, storage areas, lockerrooms, hallways and other places where classes were not meant to be held. Some of the schools also have heating, cooling and lighting issues, while one particular school has plumbing needs. In an attempt to address the needs, the interviews with the architectural firms were set up.

Haworth then told the board how he wanted the process to flow.

Each firm is given time to set up and get comfortable. Haworth introduces himself, followed by Chief Financial Officer Kevin Scott, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Sandra Hess and each board member. The architectural firms then introduce their firms and anyone they brought with them. Haworth said the presentations should last 30 minutes or less.

For each firm, Haworth prepared a list of his own questions so at least part of the interview process is consistent from one firm to the next. During those questions, he asked the board to hold their own questions. When his questions are completed, the board then will ask their questions. After all the questions are exhausted, the firm is thanked and then the same process is used for the next one.

Haworth then requested the board hold a special meeting the first full week of August at Leesburg Elementary School to choose a firm. He said he wanted the meeting to be at Leesburg because the school needs the most attention and so the board can start demonstrating to the public what the needs of the schools are.

The board split up into committees to investigate each firm's references and past projects. Looking into Moake Park will be Scott, Ron Yeiter, Tammy Dalton; Scearce Rudisel/Schmidt Associates, Hess, Gene England, Chuck Sauders; MSKTD, Haworth, Cathy Folk, Dalton; Odle McGuire & Shook, Scott, Dan Robinson, England; and Kovert Hawkins, Scott, Robinson and Deb Wiggins.

Haworth said the reporting mechanism on the firms should be given at the meeting where they name the firm. "It will be an open meeting," he said.

Robinson asked if discussion on the firms could be held in an executive session. Haworth said he reviewed the laws and found that they could not. Wiggins said she wasn't comfortable with discussing the firms and making the decision on the same night. Haworth said they could discuss the firms at Leesburg and then make the decision at the regular Aug. 21 meeting. Wiggins suggested hearing the presentations and then decided whether or not one or two meetings were necessary, but they could go ahead and set up the meeting at Leesburg.

Robinson said depending on what the board thinks they might be doing, more than one architectural firm may be needed. He asked if the board was selecting someone to help them plan or prepare to plan. Haworth said the firm(s) selected will help the board plan what to do and help demonstrate to the community the schools' needs and to gather input on how best to address those needs.

"We want someone, a firm to help us demonstrate the need and help us collect the information to solve (the need)," said Haworth. The board will decide the scope of the project(s). Beside looking at how to address the maintenance needs and overcrowding at the elementary schools, Haworth said, "We are going to have to address what the governor is telling us is going to be full-day kindergarten in our project."

Haworth said one way to alleviate the overcrowding at the elementary schools is deciding what to do with the sixth grade. Also, other capital projects such as carpet replacement and sewer to Leesburg Elementary need addressed, as well as whether those issues should be included in the scope of the project. Haworth said if all the issues are tackled in one bond issue, the people will know the school board plans to address their area.

Folk said the question is how big the bond issue will be. The bond issue can be remonstrated against, and if the remonstrators win, the project will be on hold for a year.

Dalton said many seniors are on a fixed income. The board needs to show taxpayers why the projects are needed and let their concerns be voiced. She suggested having open houses so the community can see the schools for themselves. Robinson suggested having all the elementary schools' PTOs together for a group meeting to tour the different schools.

As Moake Park began setting up for their presentation, the school board decided to have a special meeting at Leesburg Elementary Aug. 10 at 7 p.m. to discuss findings on each of the firms. [[In-content Ad]]