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Changes at HNHS could pave way for 'communities'

Possible renovations at Huntington North High School could pave the way for the creation of "small learning communities" at the school.

Members of the Huntington County Community School Corporation, meeting on Monday, June 22, discussed basic maintenance needs at HNHS, such as heating and cooling in the gym and auditorium and air ducts and ventilation issues in the locker room areas.

In addition, the board is looking into creating "small learning communities."

The school would be split roughly into four parts to develop these communities, Dana Wannemacher, a renovation representative from the engineering and architectural firm Barton Coe Vilamaa, told board members.

To do this, school administrators are looking into moving the media center and/or the science labs to be able to have open space to collaborate.

"I should ... clarify that these discussions have not progressed far enough that we've talked with the media specialist or anyone in the science department. It's just at the administrator level so far," says Wannemacher.

HCCSC Superintendent of Tracey Shafer agrees with Wannemacher, saying that the board is in the "early phases" and in "brainstorming mode."

Shafer goes on to say that to be responsible when looking at renovating a building at such age and condition as the high school is the board has to look at the school's "future use in a curricular standpoint."
He says he has seen a handful of high schools make this move to "small learning communities," but any such move for Huntington North is down the road anywhere between one to four years.

At Crestview Middle School, a renovation plan calls for widening the back driveway corner where the buses drop off and pick up kids.

At the turn that goes behind the school, near the football field and tennis courts, two buses cannot pass through at the same time because the path is not wide enough, says Dave McKee, assistant superintendent for business and classified staff in the corporation. The turn is blind, which causes additional problems, he adds.

Updates on both renovation projects should be presented at the July 13 Board of Trustees meeting.