by Bill Heimann, Superintendent

It is time for facility projects in District 145 to begin. Voters approved a bond issue in November 2014, paving the way for several phases of improvements over the next three years. 

The Board of Education approved the low bid from Commonwealth Electric ($221,575) to lay fiber optic cabling under ground to connect Waverly Middle School and High School to Hamlow Elementary and Waverly Intermediate School. The school district will own the fiber network, which will be more cost effective over the long term than leasing. This will greatly enhance our technology network infrastructure. Currently Hamlow Elementary and W.I.S. are connected by a wireless signal from the high school, which has much less communication capacity than the new fiber connection.

This is the first part of the network upgrade. New technology hardware will be installed at schools to take advantage of the greater connectivity speed. The network connection between Waverly and Eagle Elementary will be upgraded, but we will utilize existing fiber lines and continue a lease agreement that will provide greater network speed. The enhanced network will allow for future security system and communication upgrades, as well as significant educational benefits in classrooms. The fiber in Waverly will be installed over the summer. 

The Board of Education approved the low bid from T.I.J. Construction ($2,169,586) to complete facility projects at Eagle Elementary and Waverly High School. The summer remodel project at Eagle Elementary includes the 1974 portion of the school. The administrative office will have a direct line of sight to the main entrance. The health office and office work space will be improved, as well as remodeling student restrooms. Flooring will be replaced in the 1974 portion of the building, plus in the cafeteria/commons, hallways, media center, and 5th grade classrooms. Lighting will be upgraded that is more energy efficient. The exterior EFIS (external insulation finish system) will be covered with cement fiber board.

As part of the contract with T.I.J. construction, the roof on the original portion of Waverly High School will be replaced, with the pitched roof portion receiving a metal roof.  The EFIS at WHS will also be covered with cement fiber board. 

The combined cost of the bids approved by the Board of Education for the first phase of projects is over $320,000 under budget. The cost savings will be applied to the future projects associated with the bond issue. 

Additional updates will be provided as these projects progress.