BIDDEFORD — Construction at Biddeford High School is still ongoing, with the Tiger Gym and the cafeteria scheduled to be completed prior to the start of new school year in the fall. But the majority of the renovations are complete, and on Wednesday a celebration of the $34 million dollar project that began in 2010 will take place.
Prior to the renovations, “I don’t think I could visualize how beautiful the school was going to look,” said Superintendent of Schools Sarah-Jane Poli.
She said she was also pleased to report that the project is currently on schedule and on budget.
Prior to the beginning of the current school year, a new addition was built that includes a new and secure entrance that opens into a bright and spacious lobby. The first floor houses the administration offices and a new library and media center is on the second floor.
On a tour of the school Tuesday, BHS Principal Britton Wolfe showed off the latest round of renovations to the classrooms, the Stephen White Gymnasium and the 330-seat lecture hall.
The students in those renovated classrooms Tuesday seemed excited by the changes.
“I think it’s making the school look really nice,” said Kristen Haycock, a freshman. “Having a nicer school makes me want to come to school.”
Amber Perkins, a junior, has an appreciation of the before and after at BHS, having spent one year in the school before renovations began.
“I think it’s a wonderful thing,” she said, ”the new rooms make kids want to work harder.”
Teachers also have nothing but praise for their like-new classrooms.
“It’s nice to have a new classroom,” said Terry Schang, who has taught health at BHS for seven years. “There’s a better vibe through the student body and staff to have a new facility.”
The new technology that has been installed into the classrooms as part of the renovation is also very helpful, she said. The interactive Eno boards allow her to hook her computer to the board to show movies and use it as large screen when surfing the Internet. Also, when she writes notes on the board, they are saved so students can easily access them.
Gorden Cutten, who has been teaching science at BHS for 39 years, has only been in his newly renovated classroom for two weeks.
Since there’s only five weeks left in the school year, he said “I’m really looking forward to next fall.”
“The way we’ll do experiments in the labs will be totally different,” said Cutten.
Before, there was little counter and cabinet space and “no room to do big experiments,” he said. Now, he said, there’s plenty of room.
In addition, there are new safety features for all the science classrooms, like showers and eyewash stations in each room and a new air exchange system throughout the department.
School nurse Peggy Blood said she likes her new space, which includes a clinic, a private room and a combination office and waiting room.
“It’s a dream,” she said. “I have privacy and space where I can see what’s going on.”
She added that this year no students have come to her reporting illness because of the air quality.
“Everything is done so first class,” said Brian Curit, who has taught Social Studies at the school for 25 years. “Aesthetically, it’s just so pleasing.
“It’s been a long time in coming,” he said. “I’m hoping they take care of it for many years to come.”
When the public approved a $34 million bond to pay for the project, it was because school officials said renovations to BHS were necessary due to disrepair, failure to meet current building and fire codes, and the need for new technology in the classrooms.
Another reason changes were required was because of findings by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, known as NEASC. The association had placed BHS on a warning list both for academic reasons and because of problems with the school building.
In light of the academic changes that have already been made, and once the renovations are completed, the school will be taken off the warning list, said Wolfe.
Then the school has 18 months to complete a self-study for NEASC.
“We want to knock their socks off,” said Wolfe. “We want this report to reflect the great progress we’ve made at Biddeford High School.”
Now that the renovations are nearly complete, Wolfe said, “You feel both more supported and a greater sense of pride being in a school that exudes commitment on the part of the community.
“The people of Biddeford should really be proud,” he said.
The public is invited to the dedication ceremony at Biddeford High School, 20 Maplewood Ave., on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Those who want to attend should call the School Department at 282-8280 to reserve a spot.
— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.
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