Godwin Heights — Godwin Heights voters will consider on Tuesday, Nov. 4 a $44.5 million bond proposal to fund improvements and renovations across all district school buildings.
Approval of the bond, which comes with no tax rate increase over current rates, will fund districtwide improvements, including enhanced safety and security measures and updated learning spaces.
Superintendent Chad Conklin said the bond focuses on three key areas: safety and security, updated learning spaces and districtwide improvements, all identified through input from students, staff and parents during community engagement sessions.
“This bond is for everyone,” Conklin said. “It impacts every building in our district, bringing much-needed modernization and aligning our schools with the latest trends in education.”
Security areas that will be addressed through the bond are at the high school and the early childhood center.
Conklin said the main and athletic offices at the high school would be combined and relocated to the southwest side of the building along 36th Street. The new location would serve as a connection between the academic wing and the physical education building, offering a single entrance for students and families during and after school hours.
The Early Education Center would also receive a renovated entrance, with office space relocated closer to the main entry for improved accessibility and security, he said.
Focus on Student Needs
Conklin said much of the bond is centered on meeting the needs of students, with a major focus on upgrading learning spaces to support 21st-century teaching strategies, foster collaboration in the classroom, and expand opportunities in science, technology, engineering, arts and math.
While a 2020 bond funded renovation of the middle school, Conklin estimated about 95% of the district’s learning spaces have not been updated by previous bonds. He noted that many rooms are showing their age with cracked cabinets, worn countertops and plumbing fixtures in need of replacement.
“We are landlocked as a district, so it is really important to maintain the facilities we have and modernize the spaces,” he said.
Assessments were done at all of the district’s five buildings to determine needed improvements. Along with classroom upgrades, all the buildings will benefit from bathroom renovations, new public address and clock systems, electrical and mechanical upgrades, and technology in addition to specific facility needs.
For example, the ECC’s kitchen does not have the capacity to feed all its students, Conklin said, so the kitchen would be upgraded to be able to prepare food on site rather than having it transported to the school.
Assessments also revealed that both West and North Godwin elementaries require roof restoration, and both schools would receive new playground equipment and redesigned outdoor spaces to enhance safety if the bond request is approved.
Renovated Spaces for Learning, Training
From the 2020 bond, the middle school received new carpet, paint and windows in its corridors and classrooms, but classroom fixtures and cabinetry were not touched, Conklin said. The current bond proposal calls for updating and modernizing those spaces along with a roof renovation, Conklin said.
Additionally, the auxiliary gym at the middle school would be transformed into an indoor turf facility, Conklin said.
“The current gym floor is in need of resurfacing, and adding turf will create a versatile space that supports all of our athletic programs during the winter months. With a strong soccer program, our vision is to use the space for futsal and other training opportunities that benefit athletes across multiple sports.”
The middle school’s cafeteria, often crowded during lunch, and media center also would be renovated.
The high school will receive renovated science and culinary classrooms and updated concession areas.
Since the high school marching band is an important part of the community and the district provides instruments free of charge to students, the bond would include funds for new uniforms, instruments and band trailers, which need to be replaced, Conklin said.
“The arts are extremely important at Godwin Heights. We want to ensure that our students are provided the opportunity and the resources to participate in that program.”
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