Bond project brings improvements to Wichita West
Culinary arts at Wichita West High School are not the typical home economic classes of the past.
"This is a totally different way of learning now," said Susan Arensman, Wichita Public Schools media specialist. "It's more the restaurant-style, it's more the catering-style - stuff that is more of interest to students. West High has a very popular culinary arts program, and it has won several awards."
The culinary arts classrooms are one of several improvements slated for West High after a more than $12.7 million bond project was approved by the board of education.
"It is about 4 percent below budget, so we're very pleased with that," Arensman said. "Construction will begin in July, and it will hopefully be done by April 2014."
The school will receive a new gym with a walking track, swimming pool and wrestling room. A new music suite will also double as the storm shelter.
"Besides the additions, there will be renovations to classrooms such as art, ceramic, P.E. and culinary art," Arensman said.
The district continues to work on several projects from its 2008 bonds. Several new schools will open this fall.
Arensman said the projects are nearly two-thirds of the way completed.
"We just keep on schedule. We study every project as they come along, and we work to see what we can do to make sure that we can get it all done," she said.
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