Webster City school officials make case for new high school
Principal Jason Wedgbury: Security is the No. 1 issue
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WEBSTER CITY -- Webster City has talked about replacing its high school for years. The school board seriously considered it in 2017, but lacked the votes to move forward.
Now, school administration has confirmed a budget of $43.4 million is needed to rebuild the high school. A referendum scheduled for Sept. 8 will ask voters if the project should proceed.
But first, does Webster City really need a new high school?
Webster City High School Principal Jason Wedgbury addressed that question last week at a meeting of the High School Facilities Advisory Committee.
"Number one is greater security for our students and staff," Wedgbury said.
With school shootings occurring across the country, and in 2024, 60 miles from here in Perry, he said the school needs a single, fortified entrance with the ability to clearly identify outside visitors before admitting them to the school. This is now a standard feature of new school construction.
Next, Wedgebury turned to classroom size.
"Our classrooms don't meet national codes for size," he said.
The high school's 650-square-foot classrooms were up to par when built in the 1950s, but fall short of the national standard of 900 square feet today. Science classrooms are 1,500 square feet today, which would provide enough room for lab benches, technology and storage.
Those cramped classrooms don't just affect student comfort and learning, Wedgebury said.
"I went 0 for 3 trying to hire a teacher for one position this year," he said. "They take one look at those classrooms, and go elsewhere. Today, teachers are hard to find. They want a quality work environment and up-to-date technology. Our classrooms just don't measure up."
Larger classrooms would "allow us better use of classroom furnishings," Wedgebury added. "The days of sitting at desks in rows is over. There are lots of times we want students to work collaboratively in teams. And these old rooms are dark; we need much more natural light in classrooms. It's a mood booster, and students do better work."
Tyler Riley, vice president of FEH, architects hired by the district to design the new facilities, said, "Showers in the PE locker rooms are not ADA compliant."
Riley called the present-day band and choir facilities "unacceptable," and said replacing them was a "non-negotiable priority."
Similarly, he said the entire complex will be climate-controlled with new heating and air-conditioning equipment, replacing systems that have been routinely patched-up over the decades.
Deficiencies continue on the school grounds.
Rich Stroner, former school board member, board president, and Webster City High School teacher, said, "We can't hold a certified track meet at WCHS anymore."
He said the lanes are too narrow and don't meet today's safety standards for runners.
Bob Howard, retired athletics director, said, "The problem with the track is the base. You can't just resurface it; it needs to be completely rebuilt," he said.
Not every facility needs replacement, however. It is expected that the Prem Sahai Auditorium, competition gym and P.E. gym, all newer, or recently remodeled facilities, will be part of the new, rebuilt Webster City High School.