Referendum for re-designing high school set for Sept. 8
But First . . . Do We Really Need a New High School?
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Part One of a Two-Part Series
EDITORS NOTE: This article addresses the explanations concerning the educational environment, including safety, comfort, and teacher recruitment in addition to the infastructure and classroom requirements.
Webster City has talked about replacing its high school for years. The school board seriously considered it in 2017, but lacked the votes to move forward. Now, school administration has confirmed a budget of $43.4 million is needed to rebuild the high school. A referendum scheduled for September 8 will ask voters if the project should proceed. But first, do we really need a new high school? We put that question to WCHS Principal Jason Wedgbury at Monday evening's meeting of the High School Facilities Advisory Committee.
"Number one, is greater security for our students and staff," Wedgbury said. With school shootings occurring across the country, and with one in Iowa in 2024, just 60 miles from here in Perry, the school needs a single, fortified entrance. That entrance needs to have the ability to clearly identify outside visitors before admitting them to the school. This is now a standard feature of new school construction.
Next, Wedgebury turned to classroom size. "Our classrooms don't meet national codes for size." He's right. The high school's 650 square foot classrooms were up to par when built in the sixties, but fall short of the national standard of 900 square feet today. Science classrooms are 1500 sq. ft. today, which would provide enough room for lab benches, technology and storage.
Those cramped classrooms don't just affect student comfort and learning, Wedgbury said, "I went 0 for 3 trying to hire a teacher for one position this year. They take one look at those classrooms, and go elsewhere. Today, teachers are hard to find. They want a quality work environment and up-to-date technology. Our classrooms just don't measure-up."
Larger classrooms would "allow us better use of classroom furnishings," Wedgebury added. "The days of sitting at desks in rows is over. There are lots of times we want students to work collaboratively in teams. And these old rooms are dark; we need much more natural light in classrooms. It's a mood booster and students do better work."
It goes on. Tyler Riley, Vice President of FEH architects, who has been hired by the district to design the new facilities, explained, "showers in the PE locker rooms are not ADA compliant."
Riley called the present-day band and choir facilities "unacceptable," and said replacing them was a "non-negotiable priority." Similarly, he said the entire complex will be climate-controlled with new heating and air-conditioning equipment, replacing systems that have been routinely patched-up over the decades.
Deficiencies continue on the school grounds. Rich Stroner, former school board member, board president and WCHS teacher, commented, "we can't hold a certified track meet at WCHS anymore." Why? The lanes are too narrow and don't meet today's safety standards for runners.
Bob Howard, retired athletics director, stressed "the problem with the track is the base. You can't just re-surface it, it needs to be completely rebuilt," he said.
Not every facility needs replacement, however. It is expected that the Prem Sahai Auditorium, competition gym and P.E. gym, all newer, or recently remodeled facilities, will be part of the new, rebuilt Webster City High School.