DLR Group, an architectural firm that completed the previous facility study for our district in 2004, shared information regarding the 2013 facility study completed for District 145 - Waverly. They examined enrollment, educational programming, and conducted a physical plant assessment. Student enrollment has increased about 1% annually (on average) since 1990 from 1,519 students to 1,827 students in 2013.

The facility analysis identified specific items for short and long term. At Eagle Elementary, identified areas are the southwest portion of the building to complete general finish renovation of classrooms (carpeting, doors for security, cabinets, etc); security/access control of the main entrance; EIFS (exterior insulation finish system) renovation. 

Hamlow Elementary items include hard surface playground area replacement, skylight in media center replacement, remodeling of student restrooms, flooring replacement in gymnasium, lighting upgrades, and security/access control of the main entrance. 

At Waverly Intermediate School, general finish upgrades in some classrooms, HVAC system upgrades, electrical upgrades, telephone and intercom system replacement, upgrade fire alarm system, hard surface playground area replacement and expansion, and parking lot replacement, plus security/access control at the main entrance.

Since Waverly Middle School is the newest facility and opened in 2007, no major items were identified in the short term, with long term needs consisting of network upgrades for technology infrastructure. 

Waverly High School is fifteen years old, and although several moisture related issues have been remediated, there is a need to address the EIFS (exterior insulation finish system) renovation, skylight replacement in the commons area, general finish upgrades (i.e. carpet replacement), canopy renovation at main entrances, south parking lot replacement, and security/access control.

Many of these items mentioned are immediate/short term issues that DLR recommends addressing in two years or less. Depending upon which items from the list are included, the potential short-term cost is estimated to exceed $5,000,000. 

Longer term items discussed at the meeting (5-10 years from now) were estimated to cost an additional $10,000,000. A majority of the longer term costs are related to replacing the HVAC systems at Waverly Intermediate School, and eventually Waverly High School, and upgrades to data network infrastructure. 

School District 145 - Waverly is fortunate to have quality facilities to educate our students. The Board of Education wants to take steps to ensure that we are able to maintain quality facilities, programs, and personnel. 

At the June 26 meeting, it was emphasized that no final decisions have been made regarding facilties. The next steps will be to revise and finalize the scope and costs of the renovations; to form a facility advisory committee; prioritize facility needs; determine funding options; develop recommendations to the Board of Education, and then the Board will determine the next steps to implement the facility master plan. This process will begin during the fall of 2013. Additional information will be shared as we begin to take the next steps.  

As a point of reference, DLR shared the following information regarding the total tax levy of some area school districts from the 2012-13 school year.