A new look for the school
As part of the recent bond the passed during the 2013-2014 school year, the school will begin many extensions and renovations. Pictured above is the Fine Arts extension.
February 18, 2015
As spring approaches, so does the time frame for expansion of the high school to begin as construction crews will begin breaking ground at the end of the month, with the new additions expected to be ready for the start of school in August 2016.
“There are three areas that are going to begin breaking ground, or what they call ‘moving dirt’ at the end of February to the middle of March,” principal Chris Mayfield said. “The three areas are the expansion of B-Hall, one is going to be out on the west side out by band and fine arts, and then the press box by the indoor facility. They’re going to start moving dirt, taking stuff out, and moving stuff around.”
With construction set to begin, excitement is growing as the school will look more complete and will have facilities fit for everyone.
“I am really excited for a couple of different reasons,” Mayfield said. “One, I know new facilities and growing and expanding is exciting and we are going to finish out the school so it looks the same on both sides from the street. I mean, I know that’s not the most important reason but I’m excited about that. Also, we really are growing and so as we start thinking about next year and the year after that and classrooms and teachers and where they’re going to be, I’m really excited about growing and having the facilities to fit everyone. The STEM area (Science Technology Engineering Math) is really going to be cool and good for kids and learning.”
The area designed for STEM will have major advancements dedicated to robotics and engineering.
“There will be a large robotics area, many work areas, a shop with tools, 3D printing capability, large whiteboards floor to ceiling for brainstorming, electronics design area, two lecture areas and two large storage areas outside for big projects,” STEM teacher Brian Lidington said. “It will be totally new diggs!”
The Majestics will also have a new facility in the fine arts wing with an area specifically for dance and their own locker rooms.
“It will actually be big enough for all of the Majestics to fit in,” Majestics advisor Jenny Willis said. “We have 41 on the team next year, so the space that we are working with now is too small for us to actually dance in. So that’s why we have to go to gyms and share space with athletics, but the new studio will give us our own space, and we won’t have to compete and share space with athletics so it’s nice.”
With these projects and construction starting during the school year, there will be some disruptions as far as noise, but the school hopes to minimize this as much as possible.
“There is going to be some noise, but some soundboard will help reduce some of the noise to make it more manageable,” Mayfield said. “And also, when we do AP testing in May, they won’t work and they will shut down. Also on days like SAT and ACT so there won’t be any noise distractions.”
