Out of all the topics affecting students this year, the construction on the high school roof is one that many talked about. Whether it is the smell that emanates from the work, or the effects the tasks have had on Homecoming, everyone has their own opinions on the topic and the changes it has caused. As this work extends into the current month, progress on the project is quite visible.

To refresh, this project kickstarted on June 5, as soon as students were out of the building for the summer. The building had several leaks throughout the year, and the roof needed to be properly repaired and tarred. While the work has had a steady pace, delays pushed the job into the school year, extending all the way through October.  Students and faculty have seemingly adapted to the temporary setbacks and pushed through the school year.

For those who have been negatively affected by these changes, they may be delighted that the construction should be finished by the end of the month. Among those appreciative of the conclusion are teachers and staff. The cafeteria parking lot has been blocked off for the majority of the year, preventing others from having a closer spot to the building. As construction has begun to dwindle, parts of the lot have been opened up for teachers. 

“Parking in the cafeteria parking lot has been more convenient, but it is my first year so I have nothing to compare to,” Mr. Brendan Wiatrak said.

While this is good news for most, the construction has majorly affected one of the events most looked forward to by the student body: Homecoming. As a result of the ongoing project, Homecoming was restructured to accommodate. The food was shifted to the cafeteria, cornhole and photos were placed in the student center and the gym became the dance floor. For Homecoming commoners, this change was not a welcome one.

Jesse Reinhardt, a junior who has attended Homecoming since entering high school, believed that the move of the dance floor to the gym was too big for “such a small school.” 

“The music and lights were not it this year. The gym was too dark and spread out, really killing the mood,” Reinhardt said.

Soon, for the average student and teacher, the changes brought to fruition as a result of this scenario are thinning out. The high school will function as it once did, now with a fixed roof and air conditioning in some areas. Only time will tell the long-lasting effects of this event. The high school may be in a better condition than it once was and the adjustments made by the project will be pushed to the backs of everyone’s minds.