WAYNESBORO – Waynesboro High School has a structural problem.
“We struggle with a bit when we give tours,” explained Superintendent Jeffrey Cassell. “People who may want to come [work for] Augusta Health and Northrop Grumman or other local businesses and industries, they want to tour the schools. I have a little joke – take them to the elementaries, take them to Kate Collins, run out of time when you get to the 30s and 50s part of the high school. Just don’t make it to the 70s.”
Waynesboro’s city council and school board discussed the school for over an hour on Monday night, looking to the future of the high school. According to a Powerpoint presented to council Monday evening, Waynesboro High School is the largest publicly owned building in the city, with over 1,000 students and staff coming in and out on a regular basis.
A 2015 study found over half of the building components and systems in the 1974 addition had exceeded “their average expected useful life.” The building has “experienced significant settlement and damage from thermal expansion.” Finally, many of the classrooms are undersized compared to the guidelines published by the state and the gymnasium is “under-sized for the student population.”
The study also gave the board a goal for renovation. A new classroom wing would be built. The old wing would be in use until the project is done, then demolished.
“I don't have to tell you that companies like Northrop Grumman, which are the highest level of technology in the world, some of the highest, expect their children and students to attend schools with quality facilities, particularly in the math and science, I would say,” said Cassell.
A new gym would be built with locker rooms, bathrooms, offices, and concessions that can serve the outside sports fields. The football field would need to be moved slightly farther away from the school
“There's been discussion regarding this need for 26 years, that's documented in facility studies,” said Cassell. “I don’t find there’s a lot of disagreement that new facilities are needed. Everybody has an opinion and I recognize that, but I don't think you can argue, if you're informed or you've been in the building, that a new facility is needed. … The barrier is the cost.”
The 91,200 squarefeet of new construction and 38,300 squarefeet of demolition could cost the district between $46 million and $56 million. Delaying will likely make this worse – the presentation notes construction costs are increasing with inflation, going up 4.5% to 5% each year.
If the project were to begin now, city staff’s recommended timeline would see construction begin in 2027.
“So what are you trying to say?” joked Short after Cassell’s presentation.
“We need a new wing,” Cassell responded.
Waynesboro’s representatives were open to the project.
“I spoke to Mr. Allen earlier today and he fully supports moving forward with the staff’s recommendations, and I do as well,” said Mayor Lana Williams. Councilman Bruce Allen was not present for the meeting. Councilmembers Kenny Lee and Short also voiced support for the renovations.
“I don’t think there’s anybody on city council that disagrees that the work needs to be done,” said Vice Mayor Jim Wood. “It’s just the process of going through and getting it done.” He continued, telling Cassell, “I was convinced the day you showed me the big crack on the side of a wall in there. That scared the life out of me for our kids.”
Lyra Bordelon (she/her) is the public transparency and justice reporter at The News Leader. Do you have a story tip or feedback? It’s welcome through email to lbordelon@gannett.com. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.
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