One word that describes all of the changes for 2018 school year: excited. Principal Richard Cook and science teacher Diane Brooks use the word “excited” when describing the changes for the 2018 school year.

“I’m excited. We are doing things so that they largely aren’t together. We are also very sensitive to the age difference,” Cook said when asked about the integration of the 7th grade to the high school building. “There is a junior high here that needs it’s own atmosphere.”

The updates and additions, including a new gym, new science classrooms and new computer labs, to the school are scheduled to be completed in late August.

“The vast majority of the school will be closed until it is completed sometime in late August,” Cook said.

The state no longer requires starting the school year after Labor Day, but the requirement for 180 days in a school year still is a standard.

“I’d rather have it start earlier than go later,” earth science and wildlife biology teacher Diane Brooks said. “It’s hard to keep kids on task in the summer.”

All of these changes could be stressful on the teachers. They have to continue to teach while also clearing out their rooms.

“I’m excited about having a science classroom. I’ve never had a real one before,” Brooks said.