Posted: Sept. 22, 2009

Greenfield — By all accounts, the new Greenfield High School is a far cry from the old one, and not just aesthetically.

Among the many examples, the old building had an unreliable climate control system, which could leave students shivering at times when they had more important matters to worry about.

Senior Derek Buyan recalled the chill that came over him during a trigonometry test last year.

"It was like five degrees outside and about 50 degrees inside," he said. "I was just sitting there shivering the whole time. You can't leave because it's an exam - you can't go out in the hallways. I was just freezing."

This year, he's not expecting any such problems.

Erasing the old, chalking up the new

For students of the new Greenfield High School, their new building is well-worth the long walks to their cars and the noise tied to the long construction process.

The public will have their first chance to look at the new high school, 4800 S. 60th St., during a grand opening from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday. Voters approved the $42.1 million project in a 2007 referendum that called for new additions to the high school and renovations to some of the old building.

From an aerial view, the school looks drastically different than it did a year ago.

Much of the old building was knocked down and only the western part of the school remains, which was then renovated. The 2009-10 school year is the first full year students will occupy the school after moving in at the end of last year.

Passing the lithmus test

It took some time to find her way around the new digs, but senior Sarah Meleski said the new building's bigger classrooms and better technology has made learning easier.

Smart Boards have been a welcome addition in many of the classrooms, and unlike in the old building, classes no longer compete for computer lab space, junior Tiann Nelson-Luck said.

"Separate departments have a computer lab," she said. "Classes aren't really fighting anymore to get into the room."

Buyan, a band student, said he was most looking forward to the completion of the Fine Arts Center, near the main office. The old auditorium lacked many amenities the new one will have, such as a genuine pit area, he said.

A brand new gym is large enough that curtains can separate it into three sections.

Superintendent Conrad Farner said during the district's Sept. 14 annual meeting that school officials are pleased with the progress of the project, which has remained on schedule and on budget.

School work yet to done

The high school portion is mostly finished, though construction on other aspects of the project still remains.

The new natatorium, which was approved by voters in a separate referendum in 2008, is on track to be completed late this fall.

The new district administration building, on the north side of the facility, is scheduled to be finished in June 2010 while new bleachers at the football field will be installed next summer.

The ongoing construction has created headaches for students, Meleski said. Students have temporarily lost their parking lot and now park their cars at Konkel Park, 5151 W. Layton Ave.

But they have mostly gotten used to the natural hassles construction creates, she said. And any problems are well worth a brand new, state-of-the-art facility.

"In the long run, I'm happy and glad that we have it," she said. "I can't wait until it's completely done … overall I think we all love it."

FYI

WHAT: Greenfield High School grand opening

WHEN: 9-11 a.m. Saturday

WHERE: 4800 S. 60th St.

CONTACT: (414) 529-9090 ext. 5817