WVHS Building Renovations Information

Project Proposal:

• This project proposal aims to update and enhance Wyalusing Valley High School, with a focus on several key areas. The proposed updates include improvements to instructional classrooms, restrooms, auditorium, and the administrative offices for high school administrators, guidance, curriculum, and the nurses department. Critical updates will also address HVAC, electrical, plumbing systems, and ensure ADA compliance. The scope of the project has been thoroughly reviewed by the Board of Directors and Administration to prioritize and upgrade the most critical spaces within the school, ensuring a safer, more functional environment for students, staff, and the broader community.

Latest WVHS Building Renovation Presentation : February 10, 2025

Why?

• The inception of this project follows the findings of a comprehensive Building Condition Survey conducted by HUNT Engineering in June 2022. The survey identified key areas within the district that require attention and improvement. The results of this assessment have directly informed the focus of the current project, guiding our efforts toward addressing the most critical issues outlined in the survey. By prioritizing these specific areas, we aim to enhance the overall safety, functionality, and sustainability of our facilities for the benefit of students, staff, and the community.

When?

• Construction is expected to begin in April 2025, pending bid results, starting with the guidance office and auditorium. To ensure minimal disruption, the guidance office will remain fully functional by relocating to another space for the remainder of the school year. Once the school year concludes, work will begin on the front office, nursing office, and bathrooms. During the summer, the front office will temporarily relocate but will remain accessible to the public. The renovated front office, guidance office, and nursing office will be completed and ready for use before the start of the 2025-2026 school year, ensuring a smooth transition for staff, students, and visitors. A more in-depth timeline can be viewed here.

Financial Impacts:

Click Here for the Overview of Project Costs

• To ensure the most critical improvements were addressed, we focused on enhancing the academic environment. As a result, site work, paving, and athletic field projects were removed from the plan. While these areas are important, we prioritized renovations and upgrades that directly impact students’ daily learning experiences. This approach allows us to allocate resources where they are most needed while keeping the overall project cost manageable.
• The bonds used to fund the current elementary school are set to be fully paid off during the 2027 school year, and the new bond payments for the high school renovation could take their place within the existing budget. This means the financial impact on taxpayers because of this would be minimal if any, assuming the new payments align closely with the current ones. Final financing decisions will be based on actual bid results and additional financial considerations. If needed after the bid opening, Audrey, our managing director at Piper Sandler, is prepared to offer solutions to help maintain a budget-neutral outcome.  The current budget breakdown that has been discussed is as follows:
• Approximately $29M in bond financing
• $1M from the Roofing Grant Received
• Approximately $3M from the Committed Capital Improvements Account

FAQ's:

• Question :  What areas of the High School are being worked on?
• Roof Replacement:
• Complete replacement of the existing roof.
• The current roof has reached the end of its service life, resulting in ongoing leaks throughout the building that require immediate attention.
• HVAC Upgrades:
• Replacement of outdated rooftop units that have reached the end of their service life.
• Installation of air conditioning throughout all spaces in the high school to ensure a comfortable learning environment.
• Removal of single, residential air conditioning units currently in use throughout the building for more efficient and centralized climate control.
• Electrical:
• Replacing old, outdated electrical panels throughout the building.
• Upgrading the generator capacity to encompass the cafeteria’s coolers and freezers
• Increasing the number of electrical outlets in each classroom.
• Front Office / Guidance / Nurse Enhancements:
• Consolidation of three distinct spaces into a single, unified area to improve security and confidentiality.
• Addition of a separate exit from the nurse's suite to facilitate emergency medical care.
• Reconfiguration of office spaces to better align with safety regulations, including the relocation of the School Police Officer Suite and enhanced oversight of the In-School Suspension area.
• Installation of a pass-through window to enable secretaries to hand items to outside parties, minimizing unnecessary building entry and enhancing security.
• Classroom Enhancements:
• Upgrades to existing classrooms to ensure compliance with current code requirements.
• Installation of new, modern furniture to support an enhanced learning environment.
• In the science wing, a newly designed collaborative lab space with partitions will provide flexible classroom options, allowing for expanded instructional capacity when needed.
• Additional plumbing has been added to two science classrooms in the 7th and 8th grade wing, addressing the previous lack of water access in these rooms.
• Faculty Room Enhancements:
• Upgrades to existing faculty rooms to ensure compliance with current code requirements.
• Installation of new furniture designed to promote collaboration and communication among colleagues.
• Plumbing has been extended to the lower faculty room, which previously lacked access to water.
• Bathroom Enhancements:
• Installation of new plumbing systems for improved functionality.
• Design of individual, floor-to-ceiling stall bathrooms with sinks located in a shared, open area. This layout proactively addresses potential future Title IX considerations and enhances supervision by providing clear visibility into the handwashing area.
• Auditorium Enhancements:
• Expansion of the auditorium space to increase seating capacity and stage square footage.
• Upgraded lighting and sound systems for improved functionality and experience.
• Cosmetic upgrades to enhance the overall aesthetic and atmosphere.
• Full ADA compliance to ensure accessibility for all.

• Question : The proposed renovations seem costly; why wouldn't you just build a new school?
• Rebuilding a new school would likely cost between $80-120 million dollars, a significantly higher investment. The foundation and structure of our current High School building are still in good condition, so it makes more sense to allocate the forecasted $33 million dollars to address the issues within the existing spaces. This approach allows us to make necessary improvements while being fiscally responsible.

• Question : Will the renovation project increase our taxes?
• From the beginning stages of planning, the goal has been to avoid raising taxes to fund the renovations. The Board of Directors, Superintendent, Business Manager and Audrey Bear, Managing Director with Piper Sandler have explored a variety of funding options, including bonds and grants, which will be used to their fullest potential. However, it’s important to acknowledge that, given the uncertainty of future economic factors, it would be unrealistic to guarantee that taxes will not increase at some point in the future, regardless of the renovation project. While we are committed to minimizing the impact on taxpayers, we must remain mindful of broader economic conditions that could influence tax rates in the future.

• Question : What factors contribute to the cost of the auditorium?
• The auditorium expansion and upgrades account for only 21% of the total project cost, making it a strategic investment in our school’s future. The cost reflects essential upgrades and expansions to better serve our students and community. We are increasing seating capacity by 28% to accommodate the entire student body when needed. This requires extensive work including structural modifications. Additionally, long-overdue improvements to sound and visual systems will ensure the auditorium remains a modern, high-quality space for performances, assemblies, and events. This space will also serve as a valuable resource for our community, hosting public meetings, performances, and other events. These updates enhance both functionality and longevity, making this a valuable investment in our school’s future.

• Question : Will any classroom space be lost?
• We will not lose any classroom space. As construction is completed, existing areas will be repurposed. Additionally, with the science wing construction, there is an additional classroom that will be gained, due to the layout of a swing lab space that can be partitioned into classrooms.

• Question : What will you do for classrooms while you have others torn apart?
• The building principal is actively collaborating with teachers to identify and arrange appropriate swing spaces (temporary classrooms or workspaces that will be used during construction). The principal is taking into account the needs of each class, including resources and accessibility to ensure a smooth transition. The goal is to create a flexible and efficient plan that minimizes any impact on the school day, while maintaining a positive learning environment.

• Question : Will the school be handicap accessible?
• Once construction begins, any area touched will be brought up to current code compliance with accessibility requirements addressed.

• Question : Will new security measures be put in place?
• Cross-corridor doors will be added to the classroom wings, enhancing security and safety. These doors can be closed with the push of a single button in the event of an emergency, such as a lockdown or fire, to provide an additional layer of protection.
• Reconfiguration of main office space to better meet safety regulations, including relocation of our School Police Officer Suite, enhanced oversight of In School Suspension Space, and an added pass-through window that will allow secretaries to hand items to outside parties, reducing the need for unnecessary entry into the building.

• Question : My child may have to attend summer school; how will the construction affect that?
• Credit recovery will be held at the Elementary School this summer (2025). Further details will be announced for this program once they are finalized, including dates and costs.