The purpose of this communication is to provide for you an update on the WPRSD construction project.  Up to this juncture in time, the construction project has been proceeding as expected with project bids being issued and then awarded with still more to come. We have had a few bumps in the road with some of the regulatory agencies but nothing that would put us significantly behind schedule…up to now. Unfortunately, we have been officially notified that one of the unsuccessful bidders on the Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC) project has filed a protest on the bid award with the courts. The court date has been scheduled for May 20^th. This means all work on the ECLC project has to be halted until the case is adjudicated. Once things go into court, it becomes very difficult to predict timelines. Accordingly, in the case that the process would delay the opening of the ECLC, the administration will be formulating a contingency strategy. We will keep everyone appraised of such as we move forward in the event that this ends up being a protracted delay. (Please know that because this case is now in litigation, as per advice of counsel, I am precluded from offering any further information regarding the specifics of the case.)

As for the High School/Middle School renovations and additions, all plans have been finalized and approved and we expect to award bids this week. Actual construction work is scheduled to begin in mid-May. The first portion of the work will start with the renovation of the current ag  building into science/ag science rooms. Classes currently utilizing the building are scheduled to relocate on or about May 15^th.  Classes are expected to be able to continue regular instruction in their new locations. Some light site work in preparation for construction staging will also be commencing and the public will be duly notified of any change in traffic or parking patterns at that time. It is expected that this phase of the project will last through the summer with the Middle School multi-purpose room continuing into the fall.

We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and patience as the construction phase begins to commence. We intend to keep the public fully informed with timely updates as it progresses. To that end, we will be creating a “Construction Projects” webpage on our website for the public to access the latest information. We will send e-mail notifications when the new updates are posted. If you haven’t done so already, please sign up for our “District” E-Alerts on our website so that you receive these e-mail updates. We will also be posting the updates on Facebook, so “friend” us for that communication.  Please note that we used all three schools' e-alert e-mail lists for this communication to make sure we reached everyone because not many people have signed up for the district distribution list.  This may have resulted in you receiving multiple copies of this communication.

We hope that the aforementioned communication strategies will keep everyone informed and updated.  As always, if you have any questions now or as we move forward, please do not hesitate to contact me or the respective Principal(s) of the school(s) your child attends.

Tom Coleman, Superintendent