Returning to a week-long substitute teaching job at the high school, I was full of enthusiasm and excitement for the new year. That was soon quenched after talking to staff and students.

In their voices was apprehension and perhaps a touch of distrust for the planning process for the new high school. After months of giving input to the planning team, many feel that their suggestions for an effective teaching and learning environment might be altered or watered down. Many feel that the board, administration and architects all have their own vision for what this new school should be. A couple staff members have since had new meetings with the planning committee, but many still feel left out of the loop.

The first thought out of my head was, “Please Lord, let’s not make the same mistakes that we have made so many times before.”

I have taught and worked on this campus for 39 years. While subbing, I worked on special maintenance projects when they built the last (sewer plant) high school. It was poorly planed and barely functional when we moved in. It had to be reworked several times before students and staff could attempt to work in the small, odd-shaped classrooms. Nobody will cry when the wrecking ball comes for this one.

That being said, I understand many of the concerns and problems faced by the board and superintendent. I have served on the cemetery board and fire board. My father served 20 years on the school board. I have had untold conversations about facilities in this district.

It still seems that when remodeling or planning a new facility you need to start and finish with high regards for the opinions and suggestions of those learning and teaching in the trenches. Making school facilities work well well for everyone is hard work. The planning committees and architects need to get back with every staff member and fine tune the process for the best possible learning environment. We all know that when the construction dust settles, those at the top will have moved on and the rest of us will have to work with what’s left for decades.

— Skip Green