Talking with the teachers, it is clear that the facility is having an impact on what and how they teach, as well as having limited how the students learn. Here are three examples:
Jay Chandler is a chemistry teacher who says that lack of space means he has eliminated most of the complex lab demonstrations that he used to do 16 years ago. When his class is full, he does not have enough electrical outlets for the computers his students need to use. The facility is directly impacting the advanced placement chemistry students.
“The declining condition of the facility has had a large impact on my teaching throughout the years. Lack of space and overscheduling of science labs has resulted in the elimination of most of the complex lab demonstrations that I used to do when I first came here 16 years ago. Physically, the labs are small, not well ventilated and lighting is an issue. One recent lab set off the fire alarm and the Fire Department recommended NOT using the fume hood because it was ventilating back into the room, not outside. When there is a full class of 20-24 students there are not enough outlets to plug in computers or data collection devices. With AP Chemistry tests putting more emphasis on labs, I am concerned that our AP students will be missing some of their lab experiences. Furthermore, overcrowding is limiting our ability to add additional science electives.”
- - Jay Chandler, Chemistry Teacher
Trish Gavett set up the Academic Center 3 years ago where students can gather to work together, or meet with tutors. She complains that there are only 2 electrical outlets in the entire center. Extension cords run the length of the room, one to a computer cart holding multiple laptops. But her biggest frustration is the overcrowding.
“Over my 12 years at WHS, the facilities have become overcrowded and decrepit. I started the Academic Center less than 3 years ago and due to overcrowding there are blocks when, for safety reason, we ask student to find somewhere else to study. In the entire center there are only two electrical outlets which requires multiple extension cords, one to a computer cart holding multiple laptops. Students are being tutored or working in groups, but due to overcrowding I am turning them away or asking them to be quiet. That is when I really feel bad for the students.”
- - Trish Gavett, Director Academic Center
Finally, Kevin Delaney is the Department Chairman for Social Studies & Business. As a department head, one of his frustrations is that over the past few years the deterioration of the facility has made it much harder for him to recruit top candidates to teach at WHS. As for the technology,
“As a Department Head, over the past 3-4 years it has become much harder to recruit our top choices to accept an assignment at WHS. The small and inadequate classrooms, technology and general deterioration of everything are definitely turning folks away. As for technology, we have two power outlets in a room and more than a handful just don't work. The internet drops in the classrooms were strung by community volunteers ten years ago and look like a rat's nest of wires heaped in the corner. Honestly, the immense frustration with the setup, slowness and unreliability of the technology, on the whole, results in teachers simply deciding not to use it. So that's a load of bad news for our 21st century students.”
- - Kevin Delaney, Department Chairman, Social Studies & Business
