In the spring of this year, construction began on the extended library, which is projected to be completed by the fall of 2012. The construction of the library has eliminated the outdoor walkway that students used between passing periods and causes distractions and disruptions during class.
“I hear them working daily. Sometimes I hear them squirting water on the windows and other times I can hear them yelling to each other,” Cheryl Klingensmith, social studies teacher, said. “Sometimes they drill the walls while I’m lecturing.”
Klingensmith said she deals with the construction by ignoring the noise. Last year, however, she would sometimes take her classes to the Commons to work. Klingensmith said the administration has been very helpful and understanding.
“The administration tries to get the drilling to stop during testing and they are being great,” Klingensmith said.
Another teacher who experienced trouble with the noise last spring was Katy Drissel, world language teacher. Last year, she would take her classes to the Flex Room to take tests or quizzes.
“I think a library is worth being put out, but I thought they would have had more done over the summer,” Drissel said. Amy Doyle, social studies teacher, agreed that a brand new library is worth the disruptions.
“The library is worth the trouble,” Doyle said. “Anytime there is a major project, things have to be sacrificed, to see the outcome.”
Doyle said many of her classes haven’t heard the construction, but the administration is very good about warning teachers about what’s going on with the library construction.
Sharon Mai, sophomore, said she can feel the floor vibrate a little during construction.
“It doesn’t always happen or I can’t always feel it but when I feel it vibrate in my third floor classes, it’s very strange, “Mai said.
Sophomore Principal Carl Hudson said he receives a comment every other day about library construction. The administration is working with the construction company to schedule noisy projects before or after school.
“We can’t stop construction, but we can try to help people out,” said Hudson.