FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2015 Contact: Susan Stern Communications Consultant DCWest.org Office: (402) 212-7489
[email protected]
DC West Community Schools Looks to the Future Facilities Modernization Update! (Valley, Nebraska) -- A plan of action remains in the works to resolve our ongoing facilities improvement needs despite the $45.8 million construction bond issue's non-approval at the ballot box, which lost by merely 150 votes. "Since the November 2014 election, we've listened to the community at large, parents and guardians, and we are learning. We now know that we need better communication to secure our growing district's bright future. We have been, and will continue in the next couple of months, to study a scaled down plan. We are listening to the community. We intend to present an option that is sensible for all and is in the best interest of our children," said Melissa Poloncic, Superintendent of DC West Community Schools. The district serves about 840 students combined at the preschool, elementary, middle and high schools located within a 4-mile radius of one another in western Douglas County cities of Valley and Waterloo, Nebraska. But the buildings are old and need renovating and rebuilding, including some demolition. "We're diligently working with an outside architectural firm and construction management at risk company to identify ways to reduce the existing bond dollar amount. There's no doubt that the facilities need improvement for the health and safety of children and staff while maintaining our excellent education in an environment that is conducive for all," added Poloncic.
Current | DC West Middle School & Preschool in Waterloo, Nebraska
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DC West's revised bond issue would fund much-needed repairs, including building remodeling, bringing schools up to fire code, re-aligning grades while making the facilities handicapped-accessible. The school district formed over a decade ago when Valley and Waterloo districts merged.
Current | DC West High School & Elementary School in Valley, Nebraska Logistically, the facilities modernization plan would bring the middle and high schools together onto the Valley campus, while pairing the preschool and elementary schools in Waterloo. Presently, high school and elementary students reside in one deteriorated building located in Valley that was originally built in 1952. Preschoolers and middle school children share an outdated building in Waterloo, which was initially constructed in 1954. DC West hopes to bring the revised facilities modernization plan to the public this fall via a special mail-in ballot. "This time we hope that with improved communication and a lower dollar amount, that the majority of voters will see the value of an updated schools infrastructure for our neighborhood kids," said Poloncic.
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