West Liberty-Salem dedicates new school building

The restrooms in the elementary wing have been modified so the sinks are outside the restrooms. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

The restrooms in the elementary wing have been modified so the sinks are outside the restrooms. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

The West Liberty-Salem school district celebrated their new and renovated K-12 building with a dedication.

Local voters passed a bond levy in August of 2013 and construction began in the spring of 2015. The 2.5 year project has maintained and upgraded the existing building originally constructed in 1988 and it has added approximately 23,000 square feet of new elementary classrooms and a high school science wing.

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“This work involved the collaboration with many different parts of the community and local businesses that supported the levy and provided input on the design,” Superintendent Kraig Hissong said. “Without the communities input and support, we would not have results or the building that we have today. Many priorities of the Board and district were addressed by the $30 million project of which the local share was about $10 million.”

Included in the renovation was improved efficiency of the building including HVAC, the replacement of the roof, windows and doors to improve the building envelope. It also addressed reprogramming of approximately 70,000 square feet of classroom space that enlarged many classrooms and provided new technology infrastructure that supports future network demands.

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A new second drive provides improved access to the school site and a new parent and bus drop off area provides much safer drop-offs of students. Superintendent, Kraig Hissong, spoke about the project and thanked everyone who helped to make the project a reality.

The dedication, held Tuesday, was attended by school district staff, community members, OFCC State representatives, the architectural firm, OHM, and construction manager, Ruscilli Construction.

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