By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorThe Warren County R-III School District has started work on a long-range plan that identifies a number of improvements to its facilities.The proposed list features security upgrades, parking, lighting, HVAC improvements and a number of other projects.District officials will now spend the next several months reviewing the plan and making any adjustments by adding or eliminating projects from the list. The district also is considering placing a no-tax increase bond issue on next April’s ballot.“It will be a matter of going through the process and seeing the projects and deciding what direction we want to go in,” Superintendent Dr. Jim Chandler said. “By starting early, it gives us a jump by the time fall rolls around to decide if we want to go in April or need more time.”The total conceptual cost to complete the number of projects on the proposed master plan is $16.8 million, of which $15.2 is the estimated construction costs. That number also includes a 20 percent contingency expense, which officials noted is the high end for any work.In addition, the preliminary cost includes $1.5 million in miscellaneous expenses, such as architectural and engineering fees, field testing and permits.Projects totaling $8.1 million have been identified for Warrenton High School. Of that amount, the most costliest upgrade includes a $4.3 million practice gymnasium proposed to be built east of the existing gym.HVAC upgrades are expected to cost $2.2 million, with a large portion of the project list related to the athletic facilities, such as lighting for the baseball and softball fields, and resurfacing the track.Other projects under consideration include converting the wood floor gym at Black Hawk Middle School to an auditorium and relocating the library at Daniel Boone Elementary and creating a multipurpose area. Both are estimated to cost $1.8 million.Projects also have been identified for Warrior Ridge Elementary, Rebecca Boone Elementary, the bus garage, data center, maintenance facility and the central office/early childhood center.The master plan was prepared by Hoener Associates, Inc., a St. Louis-based architectural firm, and presented at the April 9 school board meeting.Facility improvements have been a focus for district officials for several months. In January, the school board decided against a bond issue in April once it was determined that the district’s bonding capacity would increase if it waited a year to proceed with a ballot measure.“It’s nice to be working with a district where you are thinking well in advance,” said Mark Reuther, of Hoener Associates.Chandler said a group will be formed this summer comprised of school board members, staff and community members to review the master plan. Members will prioritize the projects and determine if the list needs to be revised.“We were pleased with the information we got and looking forward to getting with the group and go to the next level and prioritize and see if we can get a plan together and have a bond issue next April,” Chandler said.Master PlanningHere is a breakdown of estimated construction costs by facility in a long-range master plan presented to the Warren County R-III School Board.Rebecca Boone $1,305,000Warrior Ridge $137,000Daniel Boone $2,344,000Black Hawk $2,346,000Warrenton HS $8,168,000Data Center $103,000Central Office/Early Childhood $300,000Maintenance Facility $137,000Bus Garage $450,000Total $15,290,000R-III reviews long-range facility plan