Introduction

Unionville High School was built in 1959. At that time, the school housed 750 students. Today the enrollment is 1,350. Renovations or additions were completed in 1965, 1980 and 1994.Most recently, as enrollment increased beyond classroom space, the first modular trailer classrooms were added in 1999. Today, there are 12 trailers behind the school. Classrooms are substandard and because space is so limited, some instructional and office space has been created by using mechanical or storage rooms. Items once put in storage are now kept in hallways and other spaces not designed for these purposes.

The total cost of the project is 62.5 million dollars in 2008 (construction cost are rising at an average of 8 oercent per year). The school board proposes to use funds authorized by an April 22 referendum (up to 30 million dollars) to start the project. The remaining cost would be funded within the limits of spending set out by Act 1, fund raising efforts and grants. In contrast to the original referendum on Novemer 6, 2007, this plan would reduce the burden on taxpayers by authorizing only 30 million dollars of the 62.5 million originlly requested above the Act 1 cap.

Drawings

New construction in blue - click on text or image to enlarge.

First Floor
Second Floor
Third Floor

Overview

The project can be categorized into these areas:

Classrooms - 36 classrooms would be added. Replacing the 12 modular classroom trailers, this would give the school a total of 24 additional classrooms. Added classrooms include badly needed science labs, art rooms and regular classrooms. The addition of these 24 classrooms is based on the current and projected enrollment over the next 20-25 years.

Cafeteria - The cafeteria dining and serving areas would be enlarged to accommodate increased enrollment. There has been no major changes to this area in 50 years when the cafeteria served 750 students. Enrollment today is 1,350.

Athletic Area - The auxilliary gym would be demolished, a new main gym would be constructed and the old main gym renovated to house rooms for various athletic functions (weight room, all-purpose room, etc)

Auditorium - The existing auditorium would be renovated to house technology education and some music rooms. A new 1,200 seat auditorium would be built.

District Office - The current office area would house the main high school office improving security. The new district office would be constucted in the basement of the classroom addition. his area would be enlarged to bring back the offices and meeting spaces that have been moved to other buildings because space was not availalble in the current district office.

Fields - An artificial turf field would replace the current main grass field to extend and multiply the uses that a natural field cannot sustain. Current activities push the natural surface and it becomes unavailable due to overuse.

Parking and Site Access - Additional parking would be added and changes made to site access.