IN West Jefferson Hills Spring 2014 | Page 39

The district has acquired the services of the Allegheny Intermediate Unit to assist with the writing of a Strategic Plan. The plan will ‘map out’ a five to seven year plan that will continue to move the district forward. The plan will include various aspects of the district including, but not limited to, academic offerings, academic issues, facilities, student life, personnel and much more. Community members are encouraged to participate in this important process. Additional information will be forth coming. Other important information: The district continues to have a presence on social media. Please follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/westjeffersonhills) and Twitter (@wjhsd) for updates and the latest news. Spring sports are just around the corner. Please check the district web site for the schedules. The district is gathering information to prepare for the 2014-2015 school calendar. If you have an event that could be included in the calendar please contact the district before April 1st at [email protected]. If you missed the band, orchestra and choral concerts this winter, be certain to check out the spring concerts. The dates will be posted on the front page of the district web site. Talking about the arts, the fall play “The Princess with No Name” was a great success. We hope you did not miss the district musical “Meet Me in St. Louis,” held March 13, 14 and 15. The show left you tapping your toes and singing out loud. Please enjoy reading more about the district in this issue of IN Community Magazine. We are pleased to bring you this information. We are proud of our students, our staff, our schools and the community we serve. Together we will continue to make a positive difference in the lives of children. Thank you so much for your continued support and, as always, Go Jaguars! p.s. Please see the calendar of upcoming events and please visit the schools. Hope to see you soon! West Jefferson Hills | Spring 2014 | icmags.com 37 W E ST JE FFE RSON HI L L S SC HOOL DI ST RIC T NE WS Strategic Planning: The district recently acquired the services of Turner Construction to act as the Construction Management Firm to assist with the development and construction of the new high school. The district received information from several firms interested in acting as the district’s construction manager. The district reviewed all of the information and held two nights of public interviews before selecting Turner Construction. Turner Construction will now assist in the next steps which include the search for an architect and the completion of a survey of the proposed site of the new building. A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) has been developed and will be provided to architectural firms interested in working for the district. Upon receipt of this information, the district will review each prospective firm’s qualifications to complete this type of project. Interviews will be held, and it is hoped that a firm will be selected by May 2014. At the same time, a complete survey of the property must be completed that will include elevations and other important information. The survey should begin sometime in March with the report to be completed and returned prior to the end of April. Of course, other information such as geotechnical studies, environmental studies, water studies, etc. will also be completed. Also, the district assembled a Community Construction Committee. This committee will assist the district in the review of all plans, change orders, design, etc. At least one person from each community (Jefferson Hills Borough, Pleasant Hills Borough and West Elizabeth Borough) will be selected to serve on this important committee. Those selected for this committee will possess experience in construction, engineering, sec