Voters face WCHS facilities question next week: Do they know enough?
Freeman Journal Editorial
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For the past six months, the Webster City Community School District Board has shared with the community the need for improvements at the Webster City High School facility.
There are many issues we can agree upon; take, for instance, the crucial need for an updated HVAC system to assure comfort during all seasons of the school year.
To its credit, the school system has provided multiple public opportunities to explore the needs and wants with architects and administrators. At those sessions, some members of the community witnessed the need first-hand.
The Daily Freeman-Journal has been present and reporting because we know this is a critical decision all taxpayers face together in this community.
We are nearing the time to vote. Some people have already voted.
Matt Berninghaus, superintendent of the WCCSD, vows our property taxes in Webster City will not go up if the measure to fund school improvements is passed by voters on September 8.
Today, on page 7 in the DFJ you will find opinions from a group of individuals who propose the establishment of a Long Range Planning Committee that would be involved with the school facilities project. It may be the missing link, a link that would create a separate committee that would help guide the administration and school board. That makes sense. The reason it makes sense is because despite the efforts to inform the public of the need, many of us still feel the nagging question:
Do we know enough?
Here are some things we don’t know:
What will the building look like?
Are new classrooms going to address the needs expressed by teachers?
If the existing classrooms could have always been enlarged, why hasn't it already been done?
Why have we not updated the HVAC before now?
How is the proposed "Wellness Center" going to be managed and who will pay for the management?
If students are using the Wellness Center, when is the community time?
Can the work be done in phases?
We already have gymnasiums -- Jefferson Gym, two at the Webster City Middle School, one at Fuller Hall, two at the existing Webster City High School; why can't the competition and Jefferson gyms be used more? Why do we need additional gyms in the proposed project?
This is what we do know:
The existing classrooms are not large enough for today’s standards.
The HVAC is not adequate; air conditioning is needed for older sections of the existing high school.
The spaces for band and chorus are not large enough.
There is a need for storage space.
The existing courtyard seldom has been used as was anticipated; it will be enclosed and used for band/chorus or classrooms.
Today’s electrical needs are much greater than when the building was constructed more than 60 years ago. Rooms need improved wired access.
The construction of the competition gym, the upgrading of Prem Sahai auditorium and other recent renovations mean those facilities do not need to be replaced.
Some existing walls in the classroom areas can be removed, making some classroom space more adequate.
We applaud the efforts of Berninghaus and WCHS Principal Jason Wedgbury for taking the time to show and tell us about the needs.
And we applaud the teachers and staff who make the school system tick.
We don't know what the school board thinks about all this. At its meetings, very little is said publicly. We would like to know more about their thoughts.
The September 8 vote is critically important to Webster City and all the students in Hamilton County.
It is essential to get this right.