Current Projects

In This Section

Exciting facility improvements and expansions are happening across our district. Explore and learn about project statuses here.

Northfield Elementary

Over the next two years our north schools will undergo a big and exciting shift. Sharp Creek Elementary will be torn down, while an elementary wing will be added to Northfield Jr/Sr High. This new addition will be Northfield Elementary and will house students in grades 3-5. Students in grade 6 will join Northfield Junior High.

Northfield Elementary Renderings

Building Features

The addition will be added to the northwest side of Northfield and include roughly 62,000 square feet of new building, with an additional 10,000 square feet of parking lot and outdoor elements. It will feature 16 new classrooms, Main Office, Student Commons, STEM/Robotics room, Severe/Profound classroom, and Nurses Station.

The new elementary addition will be two stories with audio reinforcement in classrooms. The entrance will go through the main office offering the best design for school security.

A new Activity Center will also be added, which will be utilized by both the elementary and jr/sr high school students. This gymnasium space will feature three courts, walking track, and wrestling room. It will be used for student activities, PE classes, extracurricular activities and various competitions.

November 2024 Progress

June-September 2024 Progress

Metro North Expansion

Metro North Elementary currently shares space for their cafeteria and gym. The expansion project will build a separate gymnasium space. Construction is planned to begin Spring of 2025.

Metro North Expansion Rendering

Locker Rooms & Weight Rooms Renovation

Locker rooms and weight rooms at Northfield and Southwood Jr/Sr High Schools are being completely renovated. Phase 1 & 2 are nearing completion, with Phase 3 is scheduled to begin following the winter sports season, with an estimated completion of August 2025.

Locker & Weight Room Progress

FAQs

What is the backstory behind this project?

In 2019, MSD of Wabash developed a strategic plan. One of the strategic priority goals was to provide safe and efficient learning environments. One of the measurable objectives was to optimize utilization and determine the feasibility of current facilities or other possibilities.

After years of discussion and investigation of our current facilities, we decided to attempt a referendum to build one 9-12 high school and move the district to three campuses. It did not pass in November 2022. The vote indicated that we need to keep the two jr/sr high schools separated.

As the decision to keep both jr/sr high schools was solidified, district leadership enacted plans to address the renovation needs across the district. The jr/sr high locker rooms and weight rooms were chosen as an early project.

The district completed an assessment on Sharp Creek Elementary due to the needed repairs. Three ideas were investigated, along with cost estimates.

Repair all aspects of Sharp Creek.
Add onto Metro North Elementary and eliminate Sharp Creek.
Add onto Northfield Jr/Sr High School and eliminate Sharp Creek.

Moving forward, the most efficient long-term plan was to add on to Northfield Jr/Sr High School, while expanding the gymnasium/cafeteria at Metro North.

Where do the projects stand?

These are the steps that have been completed or are soon to begin.

DATE	STEP	DETAILS
January - September 2023	Meetings held in public for the project	In-person Work Sessions and on Facebook Live and YouTube 1/17/23 4/10/23 8/8/23 In-person Regular School Board Meetings and on Facebook Live and YouTube 8/22/23 Sharp Creek Decision was approved - one of three options 9/12/23 Bond Hearing #1 9/26/23 Bond Hearing #2
Spring - Summer 2024	Schematic Design and Design Development Architecture	Conversations included teachers, staff, administrators, and board members
June/July 2024	Northfield Agriculture Wing demolition Temporary roads and parking
Fall 2024	Earthwork - site excavation and grading Building pad and utilities Site Development Rammed aggregate piers
November - December 2024	Foundation work Sanitary piping
Spring 2025	Tennis Courts	Six all-new elevated tennis courts with fencing and windscreens
Spring - Summer 2025	Locker Rooms & Weight Rooms Phase 3	Restrooms, Storage Room, Laundry Room and part of Football Locker Rooms

Where does money come from to finance?

The School Corporation is funding this Project through a lease financing, as it has done with other past construction/renovation projects. Lease financings are used by school corporations across Indiana in order to borrow for renovation and construction. This type of financing does not count against the School Corporation’s Constitutional debt allowance.

The Building Corporation purchased a portion of the Northfield Jr./Sr. High School campus at the closing for at least the appraisal value. The Building Corporation then leased the real estate back to the School Corporation. The lease rental due from the School Corporation will be paid from property taxes. The lease rental will be sufficient to pay the principal and interest due to the bondholders.

The process is similar to having a line of credit from assets you might have, such as collateral from your home.

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