Out with the old, in with the new

When students at Pope John Paul II High School return to class, many will be walking into brand new classrooms.

Begun earlier this spring, the building is the first phase of a two-part construction plan. The expansion was prompted by the school’s growing enrollment, which for the last two years has averaged about 400 students. The 8,000-square-foot facility replaces three portable classrooms used by the school for the last 12 years.

“Those portables had really exceeded their lifespan,” said Annemarie Furphy, head of development and alumni affairs. “They’re normally good for maybe 10 years, at the most.”

Members of both the football team and the Student Council were recruited Friday to assist with moving furniture, books and equipment into the new classrooms. A few finishing touches remain, such as locks and window glass in the classroom doors. Lockers will also be installed as the student population continues to increase.

In addition to six new classrooms, the building will house staff offices, restroom facilities and a storage room. The Jaguar marching band will now have space to store its instruments as well, a first for the organization.

“They used to put them in my office, and I had to navigate around these huge instruments,” said Furphy. “This is a win-win situation for both of us.”

Phase II of the construction plan will include improvements to the cafeteria, kitchen and gymnasium and a new façade for the front entrance.