Jim Brita of the Strahm Group Inc., Fort Wayne, does drywall work in one of the C wing rooms at Wawasee High School. Eventually the walls will be painted in this room and others in the C wing as part of summer construction or renovation projects within the Wawasee Community School Corp. (Photo by Tim Ashley)
Every year something needs to be renovated, repaired or replaced in one of the Wawasee Community School Corp. buildings. Capital projects funds from the yearly budget are used to pay for these projects typically completed during the summer months when classes are not in session.
This year, nearly all of the work is being done in Wawasee Middle School or Wawasee High School. In the middle school, the learning resource center is receiving interior doors and glass walls to enclose it and give students more privacy. Also at WMS, the alternative to suspensions and expulsions room is being modified.
And the gym will get new HVAC units capable of providing air conditioning and the duct work is being upgraded. Motion sensors are being installed in hallways to reduce hallway lighting after normal school hours. In addition, the back driveway is being repaved.
Work at the high school includes both floors of the A section being painted, ceiling tiles being replaced, carpet replacement and installation of vertical window blinds. In the C section, permanent walls are being installed, painting is being done, carpet is being replaced and there will be electrical upgrades. The carpeting in this wing had dated back to when the building opened in 1968.
In the main gym, new bleachers will be installed in the upper sections with the exception of the three-row bleachers, painting will be done and the remaining glass safety rails installed. New scoreboards will be installed, too. New portable bleachers will be installed and painting done in the auxiliary gym, as well as new wall padding put in the wrestling room.
Also on the high school campus, Center for Academic Progress will receive a new roof and minor interior modifications and the career and technical building will have a major roof replacement. A new roof has already been installed on the central office.
A major portion of the roof will be replaced for Milford Elementary School.