Warsaw High School Entering New Construction Phase
By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — Renovations to multiple facets at Warsaw Community High School are set to begin this September.
During a July 13 meeting, Warsaw Community Schools’ Board of Trustees approved a motion to enter the construction phase of the project, with the overall cost to not exceed $30,492,000.
Jerry Rolfson, senior architect at Performance Services, Indianapolis, presented a brief overview to the board about the scope of the renovations, as well as the projected timeline of construction.
The overall project at WCHS includes: creating a distinct main entry to the building; making improvements to STEM, special education and art spaces; consolidating student services administration to a single area of WCHS; updating corridor space for easier traffic flow; establishing more student common areas; revitalizing the media center; increasing the size of the health clinic; and creating additional parking and a new drop-off lane.
Rolfson also presented the board with renditions of the new main entry and a common space toward the front of the building.
Construction will begin this September. The main entrance, administration offices, guidance offices, and part of the science areas are estimated to be complete in August 2023. Central commons, Project Lead The Way, and media center areas at WCHS are planned to be complete in December 2023. WCHS’s renovations are currently set to conclude in August 2024, with the art, special education and remainder of the science rooms being the final part of the project.
Board Member Mike Coon asked how entry into WCHS will work during the construction.
WCS Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert said the check-in process will not be any different than how it currently is. Hoffert also said WCS will work with its school resource officers and Performance Services to make sure the building stays secure during the construction.
“We know that when the school was built back in the 90s, there was a different idea of safety and security,” said Hoffert. “What this is going to be doing is really limiting our entry points into our building, along with a safe and secure entryway. This will be the only main, public entry for parents and the community to come in.”
Hoffert thanked administrative staff for being involved in the project and working to maximize efficiency while staying on budget.
“This is the continuation of a project that really started four years ago,” said Hoffert. “It’s exciting that we are to this phase and have the approval to put the shovels in the ground.”
In other business, the board approved increases to paid school breakfasts and lunches for the 2022-23 school year. Breakfasts for all grades will increase by 25 cents. Lunch prices will increase by 15 cents for elementary schools; 10 cents for middle schools; and 25 cents at the high school.
Chief Financial Officer April Fitterling said the increases are attributed to labor shortages, wage increases, and increased food costs. Fitterling said the price for breakfast has not increased since 2010, and that lunch prices have not increased since the 2016-17 school year.
Fitterling noted that free breakfasts are still being offered to all students all year-round at Lakeview Middle School, as well as Claypool, Lincoln, Harrison and Leesburg Elementary Schools.
Hoffert also provided a brief update on traffic flow at Eisenhower Elementary School. The City of Warsaw will be creating a third lane on Dwight Drive, with the project being funded through tax increment financing (TIF) funds.
“We’re thankful for the investment in that infrastructure to ensure that area is safe,” said Hoffert.
Hoffert said the two lanes that are currently on Dwight Drive will still be usable during the project.
The board’s next work session will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9. The next regular meeting is at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15. Both meetings will be held at the WCS Central Office.