WUHSMS Facility Issues Reflect a Building That Has Outlived Its Useful Life
WOODSTOCK, VT , NOVEMBER 17. 2019 – Since 2017, the WCSU (Windsor Central Supervisory Union) Board, working with a team of planning experts for education facilities , WCSU faculty, staff and community members, has been engaged in ongoing planning to develop solutions to concerns related to the condition of the Woodstock Union High School and Middle School. Through detailed facility studies and analysis conducted by experts in the field, site visits to other schools around the country, and preparation of a master plan for a new middle and high school facility, Board members have processed the extent of the challenges. A recent guided tour of the building prior to their October 14th Board meeting underscored the urgency in addressing these challenges and to finding a solution to the WUHSMS facility issues.
The current facility was constructed in 1957, is now over 60 years old, and (while code compliant by virtue of being grandfathered in) does not meet current standards for health, safety, or learning – including such items as ADA compliance; fire safety; septic system; HVAC, security, and structural codes. The district is faced with annual costs related to the inherent energy inefficiencies of a 1950s era building along with the replacement costs of systems that are obsolete and at risk of failure. Given the magnitude of structural, operating and programmatic challenges facing the building, band-aiding the myriad of issues is no longer a viable solution and does not appear to make good economic sense.
Additionally, the 1950s era configuration of the WUHSMS does not meet the programmatic needs of current learning and teaching standards. Many of the spaces in the existing school are inadequate for the activities that take place in them: closets turned into offices, makeshift spaces, classrooms that are undersized and inflexible, and arts and athletic spaces that over the past 60 years have become obsolete. Further, methods of learning and teaching continue to evolve to enable students to develop the skills and dispositions they need to attain in order to be well positioned for future plans and aspirations. Modern teaching and learning spaces are flexible and student centered and designed to foster collaboration and connectivity. Learning is visible and celebrated in designated public spaces. Designs include places for students to work in small and large groups; integrate across content areas; digitally connect with outside resources and experts; and connect to the outdoors. These environments foster a sense of purpose, value, confidence and safety for all students and educators.
Given these issues, at the end of the last school year (June of 2019) , the Board voted unanimously to explore the financial viability, including public, private and other funding sources, of building a new middle and high school as part of a district-wide facility improvement plan. The resolution included a recognition that improved facilities are necessary investments to support the attainment of Portrait of a Graduate outcomes and the proposed district strategic plan. This strategic plan identifies learning environments as a critical focus area and sets forth a vision that “Our facilities serve as an exemplar for Vermont and meet or exceed national best practices for school design.”
To better inform community members of the current facility issues facing WUHSMS and plans for addressing those issues, a series of guided building tours and follow up conversations have been scheduled for the dates and times listed below. All tours will begin in the school lobby.
Thursday, November 21st from 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Wednesday, December 4th from 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Thursday, December 9th from 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm (note time change to accommodate Board meeting at 6:00 pm)
Thursday, December 19th from 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
All tours will begin in the school lobby promptly at the time indicated. For planning purposes, it would be greatly appreciated if you would RSVP if you plan to attend.