Wausa School Board Proposes $4.35 Million Project

Wausa school board members are considering a $4.35 million school expansion and renovation project, which would add more room for high school classrooms and a new industrial arts building.

Plans for the proposed project include demolishing the old 1913 Wausa school building. The building currently houses four classrooms and an office.

Over the last few years, Superintendent Brad Hoesing and the Wausa school board have been looking at the facility for needed improvements and updates.

Hoesing and the school board are proposing renovations to include tearing down the original 1913 building and constructing a new single story building that would replace it. The proposal  also suggests a new 5,500 square-foot industrial arts building and some smaller renovations to rooms in other parts of the school.

The school board members and Hoesing said they are disappointed that saving the original 1913 building is not realistic. The superintendent said the maintenance and utility costs have started to add up and maintaining the old building has become just as expensive as building a new one would be in the long run.

He said the proposed renovation would make more room for high school classes such as English, math, science, social studies and a foreign language, as well as bring the school up to fire code and ADA compliance.

The school board anticipates the project would begin in the spring of 2019 with a completion date of 2021. The total cost of the project is expected to be $4.35 million, which includes a $3 million dollar bond.

Focus groups were held with the local businesses, parents and community groups to determine the best course of actions.

On Monday, July 16, the school board will meet to determine whether the proposed plan will continue to a public vote, which is set for September 11.