At a special meeting Thursday evening, the Washington School Board established the upper limit on the proposed building program that would include safety and security improvements at all the system’s schools and address overcrowding in the face of continuing student growth by building a new middle school.
School Superintendent, Dr. Dan Roach, talked about a variety of options. Those options came with price tags ranging from, what Roach called an “impractical $53 million to a low cost of $37.9 million. Board member Mike Traylor offered a motion to cap the project’s expense at a maximum of $38 million. The board did vote unanimously for the cap.
Some of the additional items that may be part of the grade 5 through 8 middle school complex and may push the project price above the maximum amount could be a track, football field, and a practice gym and field house. Board member Randy Bouchie lobbied to give priority to the track and football field citing the poor conditions and lack of facilities at the current track and Hatchet Hollow. Bouchie told the Board the track and football programs have more students participating than all the other sports and they deserve the upgrades.
The public can view the plans and ask questions at two scheduled public hearings to be held at the Washington High School Auditorium. The first is scheduled for 6 pm, Thursday, June 20. The second will be held at 7 pm Monday, June 24.
The Board also voted to set up a referendum on the project.
In other business, Sara Graber and Leanna Larkin we’re hired as elementary teachers, and Zach Waggoner was named Elementary Dean of Students.
