November, 2000: Voters

approve a $65 million bond referendum that includes construction of Whitewater

High School and three elementary schools.

July, 2002: The Board

of Education awards a construction contract for Whitewater High School.

The cost estimates for completing the building come in under expectations,

allowing for plans to build an auditorium on the campus to be included

in the overall project.

August, 2002: Based

on a study of systemwide facilities and "school equity," the

Board of Education instructs staff to come up with a timeline and plans

to expand the core facility at McIntosh High School to accommodate a projected

student body of 1,800. This will include an expansion of the cafeteria,

kitchen renovation, an expanded band room, an expanded physical education

facility, and an expanded fine arts facility that would be housed in the

retrofitted space that is now the gym. At the same time, staff was directed

to come up with a timeline and plans to build a fine arts performance

facility/auditorium at Sandy Creek High School.

March, 2003: Saying

time was of the essence, facilities staff gives the Board of Education

a timeline for getting the construction projects at both McIntosh and

Sandy Creek started as soon as school ends in May. Crucial to both projects

is renovation of the school parking lots. Funding for the construction

itself hinges on whether or not the state comes through with designated

capital outlay funds. The Board agrees to take a gamble and proceed with

planning for the projects, though the funding remains uncertain.

June, 2003: School system

work crews begin tearing up the McIntosh High parking lots to make room

for a new gymnasium

Tuesday, Aug. 5: The

School Board votes to award construction contracts for both the Sandy

Creek auditorium and the McIntosh High gymnasium, including the complete

renovation of the McIntosh campus and conversion of the old gym into a

fine arts theater, even though it is $1.56 million short in funds to complete

the work. Construction is expected to start in early fall, though completion

of the McIntosh renovations isn't expected for 30 months.

J. Frank Lynch