The West Central School Board members took action Thursday night to move forward with the secure entrance and utilization of space construction project.
Superintendent Don Street said the board held a public hearing on a proposed lease agreement. No public comment was given concerning the lease agreement and if it is fair and reasonable for construction or improvements. An additional appropriation for the bond was approved following a hearing.
Street said the project will entail some real estate to ensure safe entry in to the schools.
“The project consists of reconfiguring the building office areas for the purpose of making the entrances more secure,” said Street. “In other areas of the building we would renovate to utilize the existing space for our current needs in the corporation.”
Street explained that if a visitor comes to the school that person is buzzed into the school by the office staff, but then that visitor has to wander a distance to check in at the office, which is a mandatory action.
“Schools today are design where once you buzz in you traditionally go into an office so we are designing our buildings. A guest would have to enter into the office prior to having permission to enter into the buildings. This will make a more secure entrance and we’ll obviously utilize some of the space.”
The board approved the issuance of bond anticipation notes and multiple series of property tax first mortgage bonds. Superintendent Street noted that no additional taxes will be needed for this project.
“Our middle school bond would be paid off as this bond would be coming on so it would be pretty much a tax neutral situation.”
The project is expected to begin in 2018.
