Forks to begin studying what to do with aging high school

FORKS – The Quillayute Valley School District is beginning a study soon of whether to remodel or rebuild Forks High School.

A planning committee will map strategy for a possible bond issue and even recommend where students would go during construction on campus, Superintendent Frank Walter said.

Parts of the building, constructed about 80 years ago, are essentially worn out, Walter said.

“It is really elderly in terms of insulation, heating, electricity and so forth,” he said.

“It runs off of an old steam boiler, which includes the steam pipes.

“It’s a real challenge in terms of having to provide an adequate learning environment.”

Costs of the project are not known because the committee of citizens and district officials, to be formed this month, must analyze renovation costs versus rebuilding costs to see which strategy is most feasible, Walter said.

In addition to the fixes on the high school, the middle school will need a new heating system because it is now heated by the same steam boiler.

“The board will also have to consider whether they want to add the stadium to this, and whether that is something that we can do financially,” Walter said.

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