Whitko Sees Suggested Renovations
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
PIERCETON - Whitko school patrons and the school board got initial impressions of renovations to the high school and the price tags for three options.
Barton Coe Vilamaa architect Dana Wannamacher presented three versions of facility improvements Monday. James Elizondo of City Securities Corp. gave costs.
Over the last few months, Whitko school district patrons were asked to list and prioritize upgrades to Whitko High School, which was dedicated in 1971.
Over the years, the heating and cooling system has kept some areas too warm and others too cold. Moisture condensation is a problem. A ramp in the "A" wing was not built with wheelchair-bound students in mind; nor are many areas handicapped accessible. Back in the '70s mentally handicapped children didn't attend public schools.
Citizens have waited patiently to exit the gymnasium after events because there are few exits. The wrestling team routinely treks to the Middle School, outside Larwill, to practice.
When patrons enter the building during school hours, the small office is easily bypassed, causing a security problem.
Wanamaker presented option A, which illustrated an office area expanded to the east and flush with the cafeteria. A new entrance would be constructed. Next to it, to the west, a new student commons area would be built with a staircase and an elevator instead of the current ramp. Restrooms would be added to the lower level of A wing.
Classrooms would be added over the gymnasium. New locker rooms for physical education would go on both floors.
In the D wing, the art room, weight (or fitness) room, wood and agricultural classrooms would be reconfigured.
Option A includes brick repairs, new carpeting and floor tile, ceilings and doors throughout the building, gym-divider curtains, heating and cooling upgrades, replacement of all student lockers and restroom renovations.
Option A would cost $12.6 million. Costs to taxpayers were figured as: an additional $32.28 per year for a property assessed at $50,000; $80.16 for property assessed at $100,000; $144.72 for $150,000; and $209.40 for $200,000.
In addition to the list of projects in Option A, Option B includes the addition of a multi-purpose room off the gymnasium to the south, which would house concessions, a training room, restrooms and a fitness area. At 50 feet by 80 feet a small indoor track with plenty of room for wrestling mats would be provided. The ceiling is high enough to allow volleyball games.
The entire D wing would be expanded for metals, wood, ag and art and adds family and consumer sciences. Special education classrooms would be expanded where they are currently.
Security cameras would be added; the media center would be renovated and the lecture hall rewired.
Option B would cost $16.4 million. Costs to taxpayers were figured as: an additional $43.08 per year for a property assessed at $50,000; $97.08 for property assessed at $100,000; $193.08 for $150,000; and $279.24 for $200,000.
Option C includes changes in Option B and moves all the lockers for physical education to the first floor and moves the weight room upstairs.
The front office, cafeteria and media center would be expanded. Renovations would be made to the auditorium and music room.
Option C would cost $18.9 million. Costs to taxpayers were figured as: an additional $50.40 per year for a property assessed at $50,000; $124.92 for property assessed at $100,000; $225.72 for $150,000; and $326.52 for $200,000.
"We think we're making a better space for learning," said superintendent Jeff Hendrix. "The machine shop has one teacher. The welding room is across the hallway. They have to wait to complete a project until he can accompany them."
Hendrix said one teacher pushes a materials cart from room to room because there isn't a classroom set aside for math.
The art room's kiln is in the middle of the classroom, making a safety hazard.
Galen Wilcoxson asked why all the doors, lockers and ceiling panels have to be replaced.
"Hey, Dave," he said to school board president Dave Tranter, "How old is that door to your office? Isn't it about 100 years old?"
Tranter, who owns a commercial printing business downtown, admitted that it was, "but that door wasn't paid for by tax dollars, that's for sure.
"Let's do nothing and in 10 years we'll buy a new high school. This one wasn't built for 'special needs' or for technology."
Hal Trump said several people have advised him to just build a new school.
Hendrix said now everyone could see what's being talked about. The drawings will be on the Internet at www.whitko.org along with a survey for public input.
"You can take away things or add on," he said.
The board agreed to make a decision about the scope of renovations in the next 30 days. The next school board meeting is for administrative reorganization, July 11 at 7:30 p.m. [[In-content Ad]]
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PIERCETON - Whitko school patrons and the school board got initial impressions of renovations to the high school and the price tags for three options.
Barton Coe Vilamaa architect Dana Wannamacher presented three versions of facility improvements Monday. James Elizondo of City Securities Corp. gave costs.
Over the last few months, Whitko school district patrons were asked to list and prioritize upgrades to Whitko High School, which was dedicated in 1971.
Over the years, the heating and cooling system has kept some areas too warm and others too cold. Moisture condensation is a problem. A ramp in the "A" wing was not built with wheelchair-bound students in mind; nor are many areas handicapped accessible. Back in the '70s mentally handicapped children didn't attend public schools.
Citizens have waited patiently to exit the gymnasium after events because there are few exits. The wrestling team routinely treks to the Middle School, outside Larwill, to practice.
When patrons enter the building during school hours, the small office is easily bypassed, causing a security problem.
Wanamaker presented option A, which illustrated an office area expanded to the east and flush with the cafeteria. A new entrance would be constructed. Next to it, to the west, a new student commons area would be built with a staircase and an elevator instead of the current ramp. Restrooms would be added to the lower level of A wing.
Classrooms would be added over the gymnasium. New locker rooms for physical education would go on both floors.
In the D wing, the art room, weight (or fitness) room, wood and agricultural classrooms would be reconfigured.
Option A includes brick repairs, new carpeting and floor tile, ceilings and doors throughout the building, gym-divider curtains, heating and cooling upgrades, replacement of all student lockers and restroom renovations.
Option A would cost $12.6 million. Costs to taxpayers were figured as: an additional $32.28 per year for a property assessed at $50,000; $80.16 for property assessed at $100,000; $144.72 for $150,000; and $209.40 for $200,000.
In addition to the list of projects in Option A, Option B includes the addition of a multi-purpose room off the gymnasium to the south, which would house concessions, a training room, restrooms and a fitness area. At 50 feet by 80 feet a small indoor track with plenty of room for wrestling mats would be provided. The ceiling is high enough to allow volleyball games.
The entire D wing would be expanded for metals, wood, ag and art and adds family and consumer sciences. Special education classrooms would be expanded where they are currently.
Security cameras would be added; the media center would be renovated and the lecture hall rewired.
Option B would cost $16.4 million. Costs to taxpayers were figured as: an additional $43.08 per year for a property assessed at $50,000; $97.08 for property assessed at $100,000; $193.08 for $150,000; and $279.24 for $200,000.
Option C includes changes in Option B and moves all the lockers for physical education to the first floor and moves the weight room upstairs.
The front office, cafeteria and media center would be expanded. Renovations would be made to the auditorium and music room.
Option C would cost $18.9 million. Costs to taxpayers were figured as: an additional $50.40 per year for a property assessed at $50,000; $124.92 for property assessed at $100,000; $225.72 for $150,000; and $326.52 for $200,000.
"We think we're making a better space for learning," said superintendent Jeff Hendrix. "The machine shop has one teacher. The welding room is across the hallway. They have to wait to complete a project until he can accompany them."
Hendrix said one teacher pushes a materials cart from room to room because there isn't a classroom set aside for math.
The art room's kiln is in the middle of the classroom, making a safety hazard.
Galen Wilcoxson asked why all the doors, lockers and ceiling panels have to be replaced.
"Hey, Dave," he said to school board president Dave Tranter, "How old is that door to your office? Isn't it about 100 years old?"
Tranter, who owns a commercial printing business downtown, admitted that it was, "but that door wasn't paid for by tax dollars, that's for sure.
"Let's do nothing and in 10 years we'll buy a new high school. This one wasn't built for 'special needs' or for technology."
Hal Trump said several people have advised him to just build a new school.
Hendrix said now everyone could see what's being talked about. The drawings will be on the Internet at www.whitko.org along with a survey for public input.
"You can take away things or add on," he said.
The board agreed to make a decision about the scope of renovations in the next 30 days. The next school board meeting is for administrative reorganization, July 11 at 7:30 p.m. [[In-content Ad]]