Exciting renovation project plans were discussed at the Wayne County Board of Education meeting
Wayne County Schools continue to move forward with an exciting renovation project that will enhance learning for future preschoolers and kindergartners at Walker Early Learning Center.
Design plans are underway to bring the oldest school 1960s building into the 2020s, according to DECO Architect Derek Phillips, during Thursday (March 16) night’s meeting. He shared an informal presentation in order to keep the board in the loop, while in the midst of the design development phase.
With improvements to the infrastructure of the building by GRW Engineering, there will be room for a gymnasium addition to meet the needs of small children. The entire building will get a facelift updating the front façade and the interior. The inside will be divided into biomes decorated in different themes that support species that live in that location, similar to an interesting children’s museum. The front entry of the building that faces Main Street will be revamped.
During next month’s meeting, DECO Architects will present a more detailed plan for the board to consider, as the process continues.
In other business:
* Approved The Cardinal Way Portrait of Success, a Pathway to Passion and Purpose, based on surveys taken to determine what the community, students, parents, and school employees believe to be the vision for instruction and opportunities for students in the future.
*Approved a $251,197 pay request for the high school gymnasium indoor air quality improvement project. The project is currently underway.
*Board Chairman Larry Muse made a motion to go into executive session, which was seconded by Jarrod Criswell. When the meeting resumed a half-an-hour later a representative from GRW Engineering reported on the design development package for the Bell Elementary HVAC renovation project which was approved, as well as an invoice payment of $12,855 to the engineering firm for professional services.
*The board made a final decision on whether to approve the final scope of the Guaranteed Energy Savings contract. A team from Energy Optimizers, USA presented a line-by-line itemized cost breakdown to allow for energy savings across the district. Based on a motion made by Chairman Larry Muse and seconded by Jarrod Criswell, the project was canceled during a split vote. Board members Muse, Criswell, and Joe Hancock voted in favor of canceling the project, and board members Melissa Upchurch and Benton Sloan were opposed.
*Declared a box trailer previously used at Monticello Independent School Band Program as surplus property.
