Kutztown School Board unanimously approved to create 532 new, 12-inch wide lockers and make the project an alternative bid to the overall high school renovation plans.
The decision came after a follow-up report by architect Justin Istenes of AEM Architects. At the board’s meeting on Sept. 2, they had charged Istenes with pursuing several miscellaneous items brought up in regards to the renovations, including the construction of new lockers and toilet facilities.
The high school’s current set of approximately 814 lockers are only 7.5 inches wide, which is narrow for storage purposes and was raised as a concern at the Sept. 2 meeting.
Another important factor is the school’s enrollment, which is at 484 students this year and projected to decrease next year to around 397 due to a smaller incoming class.
Istenes presented three options for the board to consider for the new lockers’ design. Option one proposed 9-inch wide lockers, which would amount to around 670 lockers throughout the school.
Option two proposed 12-inch wide lockers, totaling around 532 new lockers. Option three was for 15-inch wide, half-height lockers, which would be only three feet high instead of the full six feet included in the other options.
The final element of the locker decision was whether to make the project an alternative bid or compress it into the larger high school renovation project.
After some discussion, board member Karl Nolte made a motion supporting the creation of 532 new, 12-inch wide lockers (full height) as an alternative bid. Member James Shrawder seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
“What made the most sense was the number [of lockers] we could fit in the high school,” Nolte said in an interview with The Patriot. “I think 532 more than covers what the population will be, and it gives the students the proper size to fit what they need to fit into that space.”
Istenes also spoke about his review of the bathroom facilities. In order to refurbish not only the toilets, but also the tiles, lighting and more, Istenes stated that the facilities would lose several toilet fixtures. To make up for fewer fixtures, Istenes proposed looking into transforming some of the building’s storage rooms into new bathrooms.
The board agreed that the idea had merit, but had to be more closely investigated internally before they could consider a motion to turn the storage rooms into toilet facilities.
The board’s next meeting will take place on Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the High School Library.
