News

Westhope School District holds public forum

By Scott Wagar

11/12/2013

The Westhope School District held a public meeting on Nov. 5 to discuss the renovation and addition plans of its school with the general public, which saw an attendance of over 50 individuals.

The public meeting started out with John Gruenberg, superintendent of the Westhope School District, giving a 20 minute presentation of the district’s plans for its rehabilitation of the school, which was followed by a tour of the school.

Gruenberg led the group through the school showing them in detail what areas of the school need to be cared for overall function, safety, security and energy issues.

Through the presentation and tour of the facility, Gruenberg was pleased with the evening.

“Our evening was outstanding and the tour went better than I could possible imagine,” Gruenberg said. “The people who were on the fence that came to the tour and the public forum have a much better understanding of why we want to do what we need do in the future.”

According to the Westhope Public School’s website, the school was constructed in 1948 with additions and renovations in 1967 and 1984. Although rehabilitation work has been conducted in the school, the district has not focused on major issues of the school, which included mechanical and electrical systems in need of upgrades, materials with asbestos in the school and architectural finishes are dated.

Numerous areas of the school do not function efficiently, too, which includes administration offices are not on the first floor causing security concerns, lunchroom and commons area is too small and needs to expand for the current increase in enrollment, the building is not ADA and does not have an elevator to its second floor.

Additional classroom and commons areas are also needed due to enrollment numbers increasing.

The additions and renovation plans include:

• The administration offices are relocated to the main entrance. The new location will allow better access for students, staff and visitors. It will also provide a main secure entrance into the building.
•  A new kitchen allows for the additional space needed to serve lunches to the students. Storage space is now in one kitchen with easier access for kitchen staff.
•  A larger commons will be developed off of the gymnasium and new kitchen. It will accommodate seating for students during school and for visitors after school events.
•  A library/media center will be in a central location accessible to all students. The location at the main entrance will allow for after hours use if needed.
•  A fitness center will be created at the main gymnasium. It will allow for weights to be moved out of the bus barn. The space will have a separate entrance to provide the community with access to the space.
•  There is a need for a VoAg Classroom. The classroom will be added next to the shop, allowing students to have easy access to the classroom and the shop.
•  A music room will be created.
•  A preschool classroom will be added, as there is a need to have this space included within the school curriculum.
•  The classroom space will be reallocated and remodeled to create additional learning spaces for the students.
•  The Special Education and Title I spaces will be taken out of the smaller spaces below the older gymnasium. Renovated spaces will be created to allow for a better environment for staff and students.
•  The mechanical and electrical system will be upgraded, including better temperature control and new lighting, to meet modern code and efficiency standards.

“The interior remodel of the existing classroom spaces will allow for finish upgrades. Building codes related items will be addressed, including accessibility items such as updating door hardware, remodeling rest rooms and upgrading interior signage and case work,” stated the school’s website. “An elevator will also be added and toilet rooms remodeled to meet ADA requirements.”

The total cost for the projects is $4.5 million.

The next step for Westhope is Nov. 19 when the district will have another forum to give updates on the plans and to answer any questions the public will have. The forum will start at 7 p.m. at the Westhope Public School.