Busy Summer For Wayzata Schools

With more than 1.65 million square feet of property in the Wayzata School District, maintaining all that space has kept the district busy this summer—especially since there is such a short timeframe to get things done.

 “Typically, we only have 12 weeks to complete summer construction projects,” said Jim Westrum, district executive director of finance and business. “This summer our projects centered on the prudent maintenance of the taxpayer’s investment in buildings and grounds, energy efficiency improvements and the safety and health of students, staff and visitors."

With 11 school buildings, it is important to note that the district typically addresses these capital and facility issues on a cyclical basis so that buildings not involved in construction projects may be used over the summer months, Westrum said.

“This year [Wayzata] West Middle School had extensive work performed to upgrade its heating, ventilating and air conditioning to be in compliance with current indoor air quality standards,” he said. “As one of the districts oldest buildings, student, staff and visitors will notice a marked change in the environment of this facility.”

Birchvew Elementary School had scheduled roof replacement work performed during the summer. The district has a roof repair and replacement schedule in place to ensure that its buildings remain dry and protected from the elements, Westrum said.

Late last school year there were numerous energy efficiency improvements done to lighting in various schools and during the summer. This was done at a number of elementary schools.

“These improvements pay dividends to the district in the form of reduced utility costs,” Westrum said.

At Wayzata East Middle School there were locker room upgrades and the school’s drives and parking lots were improved. Separate bus and parent drop off areas were created to make things easier.

“The addition of a bus coral will improve the safety of students and other visitors to East Middle school during the school start and end times—the busiest times of the day,” Westrum said.

Several elementary schools had otherwise used spaces converted to instructional spaces like classrooms to accommodate increased student enrollment. 

“Wayzata Public schools continues to see strong student enrollment and moderate residential growth in the northern part of the district,” Westrum said.

Work on the playground and sidewalk areas were done at Plymouth Creek Elementary School. Each school in the district saw small or big changes to it this summer.

“The Wayzata school district and its facilities are ready to welcome back more than 10,000 students this fall,” Westrum said.

The district has been plotting out two-year and 10-year facility plans for alternative facilities projects. These plans must be reviewed and approved by the Minnesota Department of Education, and must be submitted by Sept. 30. Work on the projects approved in the two-year plan will begin in summer 2012.