Were you freezing in your classrooms last year? Did you notice some things unfinished around the school after returning this Fall? Over the summer, Loy Norrix received construction that was needed, but not fully cleaned up by the time students returned to school.
The building received construction to the J and K wings. Ceilings, lighting, and AC were added to both wings and HVAC systems were added to the K wing. Both Loy Norrix and Kalamazoo Central also received new sports fields.
Sophomore Michael Harrison, a JV football player, has firsthand experience with the new football fields. It gives the team motivation knowing the city funded the construction for their needs.
“It’s different from last year because it gives the team perspective every time we go out there,” said Harrison. “We want to go out there and do good for the city because they funded this.”
Loy Norrix received 7.6 million dollars from the district for the many improvements. Some things were necessary, especially for the classes in the lower K wing that received new AC and heating systems.
Math teacher Rachel Wagner feels that the construction was essential.
“Getting working and reliable AC and heating in the K wing and J wings is something that needed to be done,” said Wagner. “The updating of the lighting is also really nice, as we can adjust the brightness without having to have them all the way off and use secondary lights.”
However, the construction came with downsides. Wagner was still unpacking her classroom when students started school. Not only that, but there were also some technical difficulties.
“There was an issue with the projector and it being able to connect to the computer or Apple TV, so I had to buy my own extra-long HDMI cord to connect,” expressed Wagner. “I also still do not have a projector screen, which was originally removed.”
Psychology teacher James Johnson also had some technical difficulties starting this Fall.
“Between the construction and technology updates over the summer, a lot of things around the building, including in my classroom, weren’t working for the first few weeks,” said Johnson. “I didn’t have a working projector for the first few days, and then I got it fixed, but now it’s broken again.”
While the school initially wasn’t ready for teachers or students, most can agree that the construction was needed. Norrix is now fully prepared to continue the school year with new HVAC systems, AC, lighting, ceilings, and a new football field.
