Groups want SWHS on list
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on March 10, 2015 1:46 PM
Representatives from Southern Wayne High School Advisory Council and Saints Booster Club have petitioned the Board of Education to consider including the school in the next round of facilities projects.
More than 40 residents from the southern end of the county turned out for the board's March meeting, presenting a preliminary drawing of a new multi-purpose building at the school.
Lynn Williams, secretary of the Booster Club and a member of the Advisory Council, served as spokesperson for the contingent.
"A group of us on the Advisory Board, in 2012 we started talking at that point, 'What does Southern Wayne need as far as facilities?'" she said.
After consulting with staff and the principal, Dr. John Boldt, a "wish list" was developed, with one of the most glaring needs being some type of multi-purpose building.
"One of the biggest issues we have at Southern Wayne is we don't have any locker room space for Southern Wayne girls' sports," Mrs. Williams said, explaining that the situation forces students to change "in restrooms and classrooms or wherever they can find."
Not only is that a "serious issue" for those in the southern end of the county, but a violation of Title X provisions requiring parity for men's and women's athletic programs, she said.
The decision was made to develop a plan for a second gymnasium at the school, making it large enough for a stage, Mrs. Williams said. The move also lends itself to the possibility of holding the school's graduation on the campus, she said.
"We are the only 3-A high school in the county without two gyms," she noted.
In December, the Booster Club authorized up to $1,500 to have a preliminary schematic drawing of a multi-use facility. Since that time, the group has spent a total of $1,750 on the effort.
According to Mrs. Williams' research, it has been years since Southern Wayne was the recipient of any renovations or upgrades to the facilities.
Since its construction in 1965, the school has had renovations in 1977, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1986, 1992 and most recently in 2008, when the Diesel Engine Academy was added. The school was not part of the district's long-range facilities plan created in 2006, which is currently nearing completion.
When the county commission hired Evergreen Solutions to compile a report of the schools' needs and finances of both boards in 2006, one of the recommendations it contained was a second gym at Southern Wayne, Mrs. Williams pointed out.
"You guys are nearing the end of the facilities plan," she said. "We have been very patient. We realize the needs around this county are very great. But we would certainly like to put our name forward."
As the school prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary next years -- while still maintaining its original bleachers and restrooms -- such functional and aesthetic changes are in line for students and staff, Mrs. Williams said.
The "very basic, nothing fancy" schematic would have the building situated on Walter Fulcher Road, where the current tennis courts are located.
Board vice chairman Arnold Flowers asked if they had an estimate of how much the project would cost.
"We have a ballpark (figure) of $3.3 million," Mrs. Williams said.
Board member Eddie Radford said that the tennis courts are still in good shape, having just been built a few years ago.
Mrs. Williams agreed, but said in order to have the new building properly positioned, it would be less disruptive to simply relocate the tennis courts.
Board member Jennifer Strickland asked if the pricetag on the project included soil samples, parking and related items.
Mrs. Williams said those were not included.
Board member Dr. Dwight Cannon, who represents District 2, which incorporates Southern Wayne, was absent from the meeting.
Radford, who taught at the school for more than 30 years and was a former principal, shared his understanding about the school's history.
"Southern Wayne has always struggled with good facilities," he said. "The facilities that are there now are, I don't want to say dilapidated but they have been used.
"They need a safer place. They don't have mats on the walls all the way up. The cheerleaders need a place to practice where they can be in a place by themselves."
He hinted that the school was overdue for some attention.
"I think Southern Wayne has probably been left out on other things," he said. "We're beginning to work on other schools. I would hope that my fellow board members would look at it."