Modernization

From Staples High Wiki

An aerial photo of the school during Modernization

Modernization was a construction project at Staples High School that lasted from September 21, 1978 through May 31, 1981, with the purpose of fixing ongoing problems with the campus and to provide additional facilities to conform to the campus's expanding needs at the time. The project, which was to solve all of this was led by Richard O'Shea.

The project was planned out for several years, with a shorter heating pipe project in 1974. However, plans went out, and a community nearly unanimously voted for a $3 million "modernization package".

1 Motivations for the project
2 Work done during the project
3 Life during Modernization
4 Photos
5 Sources

Motivations for the project

1. Inadequate spaces

As many as six different classes crowded into the Gymnasium at one time
The existing Library was far too small
There needed to be more practice space in the Four building
Repeated rejections for a Fieldhouse construction needed to be overcame

2. Inadequate heating

Outfitting the campus's buildings with brick was to help with insulation
Fixing of the entire heating pipe system, which plagued the campus for years

3. Need to connect the buildings

The seperate building approach was not practical
"Unity" was requested

Work done during the project

Construction of the Fieldhouse
Construction of the Pool
New Library, built across the hallway from the old library (original library was turned into classrooms 883, 884, and 885).
Connector Hallways between all buildings, with additional classroom space in those connectors (one of which included a Special Education Center)
Guidance Suite and Deans Office near the cafeteria
Expansion to the Four building to include a smaller third rehearsal room (which is currently an expanded, full-size Band Rehearsal room), and storage space
Brickwork, as well as tan topping on all buildings except the Nine, with the exception of the Auditorium. This was done to increase insulation within the building and to provide a more aesthetic view.
Renovation of the Cafeteria, Seven building (converting Math classrooms to Science Labs)
Installation of ceiling grids in all buildings, as well as full-size lockers

Life during Modernization

Student and teacher life during the project was difficult; throughout much of the project students and teachers had to navigate through improvised paths around the construction and had to endure many hazards, such as mud, machinery and crevasses. Unlike the current construction project, where the construction areas have been always kept seperate from the students, construction was all around the school; workers were making noise with machinery right outside of classrooms. The roofs on many of the new buildings built during the project involved the use of tar, which cause sickening fumes to be sent throughout campus.

Some students, overwhelmed by the conditions, did not react well; fights broke out around campus, fireworks were set off, an outdoor adventure course was vandalized and even principal George Cohan was hit by mud. With nowhere to go, students let out their anger to the detriment of the school.

Delays were also a problem during the project; the Library opened five months behind schedule and the Fieldhouse seven months. Strikes (a truckers strike during construction of the Library), miscalculations, bad weather, and countless other obstacles caused these delays.

However, student life began to improve as the project neared completion; for each new structure that opened, morale upon the students rose. Upon completion, a rededication ceremony occured at the very same site where the project began. Student led tours also accompanied the celebrations.

Photos

Project plans	Conceptual drawings	Groundbreaking Ceremony, 21 September 1978	A worker during the project
Re-fitting the building exteriors	Connector hallway under construction	The incomplete 6/9 connector