Construction Update

By Tooba Ghias, Staff writer

 “Construction is over—for the most part,” says Principal Herzfeld. “All that\’s left is Mr. Bivens\’ class (Room 241) in the A bungalows.”

 Other than finishing Mr. Bivens\’ room, district and maintenance staff will have to check for errors and make finishing touches.

 “Construction crews,” says Principal Herzfeld, “will be putting in the last of the baseboards, moving cabinets, or changing the electrical outlets.”

 Offices in the boys and girls locker room still need air conditioning units installed, but once they are, coaches will finally be able to comfortably relax when the team finishes training. With the removal of the A bungalows scheduled for mid-February, PE students and coaches will have more room, one of the many upgrades that the athletics department needs. Basketball or volleyball courts will be installed in the bungalows’ place, depending on the decisions of the PE teachers and athletics director, Mr. Hollinden.

 The B bungalows, however, are here to stay as the need for extra classrooms grows.

 “We are also looking into getting a synthetic track and field,” says Mr. Herzfeld. “Those projects are up to the district and are presently on hold because of the economy\’s current state. The district is also busy fixing the stadiums at Westminster and Huntington Beach high schools.”

 Sophomore Phoebe Bui says, “It will be great if we can get an all-weather track. Our dirt track is too dusty, and it turns to mud when it rains.”

 Keeping the FVHS campus clean is also one of Mr. Herzfeld\’s top priorities, so the district has placed an order for fifty new trashcans.

 “Now, my main concern is to get students to throw their gum into the trashcans instead of on the cement,” says Herzfeld.

 The last development will be the replacement of the old fiber glass picnic tables with blue metal mesh tables. Upon completion, students will be able to eat on cleaner tables which aren\’t cracked or off balance.

 “I think it\’s a great idea,” says junior Mariyam Ahmed. “I\’m always either wondering if I\’ll get a stomachache from all the dirt or fall off because of a missing table leg.”

 With what seemed like endless construction, students and staff can finally breathe a sigh of relief, though still crossing their fingers just in case, as the sound of screeching saws and pounding hammers draw to a close.