Warden brings bonds to voters

State to match funds with $3.4 million

WARDEN — The Warden School District is bringing voters a bonds proposal in March to fund several renovation projects in the schools.

The $9.34 million bonds sale would fund an expansion and modernization of the district's cafeteria-kitchen and support services building, a new music suite addition to the cafeteria and a renovation of the high school gym, with the possibility of other projects paid for with state matching funds.

Ballots are being mailed to voters March 13.

"Basically, it addresses the most immediate needs of the school district," Committee Co-chair Doug Skone said.

Skone said the public is invited to attend a committee meeting Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Corral Restaurant in Warden, where they can learn more about the proposal.

The state is providing $3.4 million in matching funds, which the district hopes to use toward any extra costs of the project, a locker room expansion and possibly a new gym, Skone said. The district has two gyms, and there is scheduling difficulty between high school wrestling and the girls and boys basketball teams, he said.

The cafeteria is identified as one of the biggest needs of the district, he said.

Built in 1959, it was intended to prepare 300 lunches.

"Today they have 1,000 breakfast and lunch meals that are prepared there and served," he said.

Due to a lack of space, kindergarten and first grade students each lunch in the classroom, he said.

Co-chair Aaron Golladay agreed the cafeteria is a district priority, adding the project needs to be done regardless of whether the bonds proposal passes.

"It's definitely a have-to, has to happen," Golladay said.

If the bonds fail, the district still has to spend money to provide a temporary fix to the cafeteria, in which the roof is beginning to leak, he said.

Skone said central air conditioning would be added to the cafeteria.

The project includes a music suite addition to the cafeteria, which can be used for band practice and for performances. The only band room in the district is located at the elementary school, where both middle school and high school music students practice. This forces the elementary school students into a portable, Skone said.

Golladay said when the state visits the district to identify needed improvements, a band room for older students is at the top of the list.

The high school gym project includes new flooring, bringing bathrooms up to Americans with Disabilities Act standards and the installation of a sprinkler system, Skone said.

The heating system in the gym was updated previously, but the concession stand and locker rooms need to be updated, he said.

"As far as the concession area and locker rooms, they're still on a boiler system," Skone said.

The pipes in the boiler system are old and corroding, he said.

"This project will never get cheaper, and the longer we wait the more expensive it will get," Skone said.

Superintendent Sandra Sheldon said the bonds proposal would cost $3.44 per $1,000 of assessed home value.

Clubs and organizations can schedule a presentation from the bonds committee by contacting Doug Skone at 509-349-2425.