Make Room for North Augusta High School
February 18, 2010 by Lauren
Filed under Community, Opinions and Views, Uncategorized
When people wake up in the morning on a weekday, what do they think about? Most of NAHS students are probably not excited since they think about going to school. Just another day, walking in the loud, crowded hallways, and being pushed around in the ridiculous, busy intersections in order to get to the next class.
Principal Kyle Smith thinks that the school definitely needs change. On Tuesday, January 19, a facilities meeting was held at the school about some of the changes that might be taking place at North Augusta High School. This includes the so called “space” that the school occupies.
“I am proud of the students and teachers here, but not particularly proud of the building here,” says Mr. Smith. “The conditions are all in disgrace.” The nine portables that sit behind the school, makes “space” for the school, but are in poor condition. However the portables are vital, because it creates more “space” for the main building.
Forty years ago, the school was built to occupy approximately 1,200 students. Today, there are 1,650 students enrolled. The 5th hall was added in 1992 without any plumbing such as bathrooms or water fountains. “And speaking of bathrooms, they need some work,” says Kyle Smith.
Mr. Smith also believes that “the students are aware of the conditions of this school. They know the bathrooms are ‘awful’, the hallways are crowded and the classrooms could be bigger.”
These upgrades are the things that the community or parents hope and wish for.
North Augusta High School’s very own student body president, Emeka Okafor, thinks that “it’s a great idea. There are many things that our school doesn’t have and that could be fixed. We could have better technology for more learning capabilities. It also seems like students are being forced into classrooms, where there doesn’t seem to be space, so added space in the school would definitely be a huge help.”
At the meeting, 150 people met at the auditorium of the school to see the district’s facility plan. The solutions for problems or bad conditions of the school could add up to about $150 million being spent on the upgrades that were suggested.
A new building for North Augusta High School was proposed by Aiken County district officials to solve the overcrowding of the hallways. Parents were concerned when it was said that a new building would cost to at least $75 million, which would only hold 50 more students than what is currently held today.
Chris Mathis, who attended and spoke at the meeting, thinks that “a new school would be great help, but only if it would fit more than 1,700 students. The space is just plain out awful.” Chris also agrees that “everything is wrong with the restrooms. There are leaks, and they are very unsanitary.” Chris also adds that technology is a big issue, too.
It is apparent that people think there should be renovations or major changes made to North Augusta High School.
Of course, with the state our economy is currently in, spending that much money on a new school building or upgrades to the old building will put a definite strain on the county’s school budget as North Augusta High School is not the only school in need of renovations and repairs. However, an investment in education always pays off in the long run. Whichever route the School Board decides to take, North Augusta High School students will reap benefits.
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