Fowler residents will head to the polls Nov. 4 to decide whether to pass a $1.94 million bond issue for a new multi-purpose facility at Fowler High School.
The proposed bond would provide funds to construct, equip and furnish a 13,000-square-foot monolithic dome, which will be connected to the existing high school and industrial arts building.
The building will serve as a multi-purpose facility for the school and the community. It will have a gymnasium with a seating capacity of 600 (50 percent larger than the current gym), two locker rooms, restrooms, a technology/computer center, space for band and vocal music, and expanded common areas and concessions.
Sam Seybold, USD 225 superintendent and grade school principal, said Fowler High School, which was built in 1952, needs to be upgraded and expanded.
"We have not had a major school improvement in 42 years," he said. "Our children are our most important asset. Their education is of utmost importance. Their future and our community's future is at stake."
The last bond issue for the district was in 1966 and was paid off more than 20 years ago. The school district has no existing debt.
Seybold said more space is needed for technology, the music program, physical education and extracurricular activities.
Boys and girls' junior high and high school sports teams currently share one gymnasium, making it difficult to schedule practices and games. Teams practice as late as 9 p.m., as early as 6 a.m. and even during school hours.
The new gymnasium will benefit students at the grade school and high school levels by giving everyone more gym time and more convenient practice schedules.
The size of the gym also affects the school's ability to host tournaments and other multi-school activities.
"Our limited athletic spaces prohibit our community from hosting volleyball matches and post-season basketball tournaments — greatly limiting economic activity for our community and increasing travel expense for our parents and fans," Seybold said.
Space for technology
Seybold said the current computer lab is not sufficient for teaching students to be computer-literate in today's world, and it does not provide enough space for students to take required computerized state assessment tests.
"Our current computer lab is actually a classroom that is used most of the day for keyboarding, business and other classes, making it unavailable to students, teachers and other classes most of the time," Seybold said.
The new facility would create classroom space designated for students so they could have adequate access to computers and other technology.
Seybold said the music department also requires more space.
In the current schools, music classes are located upstairs in the balcony area of the gym. Seybold said this space is too small and suffers from poor acoustics and sound interference from games and practices on the lower level of the gym. This upstairs area is also not compliant with federal standards for handicapped accessibility.
The new facility would create the possibility to expand and improve the music program by giving students an area designed for music instruction.
The design
For this project, the school district has chosen to use a monolithic dome, which is a cost-effective design with unique properties.
The concrete structure is one-third less expensive to build than comparable structures made of brick and metal, according to the school district. It also uses approximately one-third less energy, so the district will save money on utility costs.
The structure has a 100-year life span and is designed to withstand a F4 tornado, so Seybold said the building would also be used as a community emergency center for the citizens of Fowler.
The school in Fowler was hit three years ago by a tornado that took out the west wing of the high school, as well as the industrial arts building.
"We know what happened here," Seybold said. "We all know what happened in Greensburg, Chapman and Manhattan. The safety and security of our students and staff, as well as residents of our community must be a priority. A tornado shelter is a needed asset that would enhance our quality of life and peace of mind in Fowler."
Reach Cherise Forno at (620) 408-9931 or e-mail her at cherise.forno@dodgeglobe.com.
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