Plans for new school still being finalized

By Amber Hovey
Contributing Writer

The West Central school board met at 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 15. 

In the absence of President Chad Ingels, vice president Al Albrecht led the meeting.

One topic of discussion was the new school addition and whether to haul in dirt fill to bring the new addition to the same level as the rest of the school or to ramp the hallway downward. 

“I had a vision of a nice new school that is all one level,” said Albrecht. “We need to give the community what they expect.”

In defense of having a ramped hallway, Principal Stuart Fuhs mentioned that the lower level of the addition might provide more of a shelter for students in emergencies. The board suggested comparing prices of the two options.

Plans for the new addition are still being finalized. The board plans to start taking bids for construction in August.

In other reports, PK-8 Principal Cathy Timmerman presented the board with data trends reflected by the school’s standardized test scores. While at or above the national average in many subject areas, Timmerman emphasized the importance of reading comprehension.

“It is something we continue to work on,” said Timmerman. “We are always striving to get better.”

Activities director Randy Fink announced to the board that the girls’ track team received an academic award for having a 3.4 GPA. 

He also said that West Central has two candidates for the boys’ baseball head coaching position as well as one assistant coach candidate. However, the school is still searching for an assistant volleyball coach.

The last item Fink mentioned was that football camp would be held Aug. 5-7.

In other items, the board moved to offer Chelsea Hill, a recent college graduate, the position of band instructor.

The next board meeting will held Monday, August 12.