BOE discusses construction at Talawanda Middle
Theroux said, while he cannot currently go into significant details about what the new front entrance would look like, “We’ve always had a concern about the middle school entrance, the way it was designed.”
The Talawanda School District Board of Education is actively looking for bids on a project that would renovate the front entrance of Talawanda Middle School.
The board approved advertising this project during a special session on April 27.
Superintendent Edward Theroux said the board will begin accepting sealed bids, which will be opened by a committee, including himself, Treasurer Shaunna Tafelski and WDC Group, a design and construction professional group, which will decide on the best bid to recommend that the board accept.
Theroux said, while he cannot currently go into significant details about what the new front entrance may look like, “We’ve always had a concern about the middle school entrance, the way it was designed.”
The front entrance of Talawanda Middle was designed in 1989 and many of the materials are original to the school’s opening, Theroux said.
“We’re looking at addressing that and making kind of what all of the other schools have … so that there would be some more safety and security features,” Theroux said.
He added the updates would include a vestibule and new doors.
Theroux said funding has been set aside in the district’s budget to focus on the project, meaning the board will not have to ask taxpayers for any additional funding to support the new entryway.
While he said the district was originally hoping the project would be completed this summer, it may be slowed down depending on the timing of bids or gaining materials, and the project may continue into the school year. If this happens, he said the district will make additional student drop-off and pick-up plans to accommodate.
The board will meet again on May 14 for a regular session.
