By Charlie Boss, Westerville City Schools
While students are out for the summer break, maintenance, information technology and operations crews are in the middle of routine upgrades across the District. Their goal: to make buildings safer, more energy-efficient and more aligned with the teaching and learning needs of the WCS school community before doors reopen this fall.
From upgraded heating and cooling systems to fresh asphalt pavement, here is a breakdown of how the District is investing in its facilities this summer — and how those projects are being funded.
Permanent improvement projects: Long-term savings
Funded by the District’s permanent improvement budget, which is set aside strictly for capital needs of the District, including planned and unplanned facility maintenance, replacement of buses and MYVans, as well as IT equipment and other non-operational components. These upgrades focus on lowering utility bills and cutting long-term repair costs. They also align with the maintenance and repair program for the District’s facilities.
- Classroom upgrades, including new furniture and tables at various schools.
- Computer, server and other technology equipment upgrades at all schools.
- Roof repairs for four buildings, including all three high schools.
- Repaving of parking lots at five locations, including the Transportation bus garage.
- School Safety & Infrastructure
- Safety upgrades to the auditorium at Westerville South.
- New fire alarm equipment at Westerville South.
- Aging sewer pipe replacements at Blendon and Hanby.
- Masonry cleaning/repairs at Genoa and Heritage middle schools and Longfellow.
Maintenance department projects: Addressing immediate needs
Covering 16 projects through the District’s maintenance department to address immediate building needs.
- Boiler and HVAC repairs at three schools.
- Plumbing upgrades at three schools.
- Replacing doors at three schools.
- Stage floor work and other auditorium updates at Westerville Central and Westerville South. Auditorium enhancements at all three high schools.
Information technology department projects: Equipment upgrades
Covering scheduled hardware refreshes and equipment updates across the District.
- Scheduled computer updates at five schools.
- Classroom interactive display board additions at seven schools
- Wi-Fi, networking, storage, software and security upgrades at all buildings.
2019 Bond Projects: Stretching your tax dollars
A handful of final projects are being covered by the remaining funds from the 2019 voter-approved bond issue. The bond paid for projects in the District’s Facilities Master Plan, which included the construction of Minerva France Elementary and Minerva Park Middle School; renovations and additions to Annehurst, Whittier and Hawthorne elementaries; and security upgrades across elementaries.
This summer, contractors will complete the last bond project — masonry cleaning and repairs to Longfellow Elementary. By stretching these dollars, the District can also cover maintenance needs such as HVAC replacements at four schools.
