Board Offers Alternatives on Wheaton and Edison Modernization

The Board of Education approved two additional options for the modernization of Wheaton and Edison High Schools Monday, after hearing testimony from students and residents.

Superintendent was to keep Wheaton and Edison in the same school under separate names, but with Edison's programs sharing some space with Wheaton, and run under an assistant principal. Weast's recommendation attempted to cut costs, but his proposal concerned both residents with ties to the school and students who came to testify in front of the Board.

One student was brought to tears in her testimony in support of Edison, the Gazette reported.

The Board will now consider two options alongside Weast's recommendation: one recommendation will create two separate buildings on the current site, one for each school. The other will create one building with facilities that would meet each school's educational requirement. The proposal calls for shared facilities as appropriate, but that the two schools have separate and identifiable spaces and entrances.

Any difference between the second Board option and Weast's recommendation will likely come down to details on staffing and the percentage of shared space in a single building.

All three options will be on the table during the March 15th public hearing. The Board of Education will make their final recommendation on March 28th. 

More information about testifying can be found at the bottom of this page.