WARSAW — The Warsaw Community School Board is wrapping up one school year and looking forward to the next following its regular work session held Tuesday evening, May 10.

Design-build is the hot topic going into the summer months, with major components of all three buildings — Washington and Lincoln Elementary Schools and Edgewood Middle School — moving along and taking shape despite recent rainy weather causing some setbacks.

At Lincoln, the framework is up for the two-story classroom wing and two of the four concrete block walls for the gymnasium are complete. Within the next 30 days, structural steel, joists and deck will be added between the gym and two-story classroom wing, the two-story metal deck will be completed and concrete block walls will go into the gym, cafeteria and kitchen. Work will also continue on mechanical components of the building and roofing will start.

The steel framework for Washington’s STEM lab is now up and concrete slab will be poured as soon as weather conditions are dry enough. Next up will be perimeter wall sheathing; completion of the roof; demolition of the existing interior and beginnign of new infrastructure construction; steel framework over the existing roof; and utility rough-ins.

Edgewood’s addition, including the STEM lab, is taking shape, with completion of the steel frame, joists and roof deck and the science lab renovation is moving along with drywall and utility rough-ins complete and casework installation begun. Over the next month, concrete slab will be completed, perimeter and interior steel stud wall framing, perimeter wall sheathing and roofing are slated for completion, as is the science lab renovation.

Food Services Director Marci Franks requested permission to purchase walk-in freezers at Washington and Lincoln Elementary Schools. With the design-build project going on, she felt it would be a good time to incorporate new freezers. Washington currently has an outdoor walk-in freezer/cooler combination, however it does not provide adequate space for the volume of food needed.

Franks also requested additional tables at Washington and Lincoln and a software program to make keeping track of lunch accounts and meal components easier. All of this, she said, will come out of the food service fund.

IT Director Brad Hagg brought forth a request for a new clock-in system that will allow hourly employees to punch in via a laptop, tablet or mobile device. The software can be programmed to allow employees to clock in from anywhere or only from certain locations. Installation will be $25,000 with a $4,070 monthly fee, paid for out of funds encumbered from last year.

Textbooks for next year have been ordered. Metzger Trucking has agreed to pick up and deliver the textbooks, saving WCS around $33,000.

Other News

• The board discussed renewing its lease for a storage building, currently used for ground equipment.
• Fire alarm testing bids have been received. The board plans to go with the same company as last year.
• Out-of-state travel was approved for several teachers and staff members this spring and summer for training purposes.
• The board meets in regular session at 7 p.m. Monday, May 16.