Springing into Change by Kyle McLaren
Unlike many of the other middle schools and high schools in the area, the Main Office and Attendance Office were separate offices in Building 1. Fencing around the campus wasn’t installed until a few years after construction finished on campus in 1997. What was originally planned to be a bookstore before fencing went up, the room became the formal entrance to campus once school was in session for the day. For over 20 years, students, visitors, and delivery crews accessed the grounds through the Attendance Office. Through an effort to simplify campus workings and modernize outdated areas, the Attendance Office closed over Spring Break. “I was surprised [with the change]. I don’t mind it, but I’d rather go through the old attendance office,” said freshman Keleigh Reinert.
Ms. Kristie Granholm and her team packed up their decorations and equipment and relocated to the front left corner of the Front Office. “I like it better in here because there’s more open space, and I get to see more people,” said Ms. Granholm. Muscle memory kicked in for many students and parents as they walked towards the Attendance Office, only to remember it was closed. Some students, however, were ready to enter school using the new method of waiting at the gate before a staff member came to let them in. “Honestly, it’s less complicated to get in through the gate. You don’t have to wait at the attendance office for the doors to open,” said junior Victoria Deleon.
The end goal of the renovation was to increase the size of the Attendance Office. The Clinic was also relocated to room 1-137 for the remainder of the school year. Demolition of the wall that divided the Attendance Office, Administrative Storage, and the Clinic would occur over the summer. By the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year, staff anticipated a new office to greet visitors and students and simplify entry procedures. “Having the main office will make things easier, so when parents come to drop things off, they won’t have to come to the main office over here. Everything will be taken care of over there in the new office,” Ms. Granholm said.
Students were also excited for the upcoming changes. “I feel like when you’re checking in, it would be less of a hassle with the metal detectors being moved inside,” Deleon said. “The new setup will be trial and error, but we think it will be a positive change,” said Ms. Granholm. As the school population increased, many changes have occurred on campus to improve student conditions and make the campus modern and efficient. Other projects that would occur were a restoration of the Liberty Bell in the courtyard, and a conversion of a former computer lab in the Media Center into the VyStar Student Credit Union Office.
Caption:
Simple or Complex: Senior Hugh Macdonald waits to be let into campus. Some students find entering the gate much simpler than using the Attendance Office when getting onto campus during lunch. “It doesn’t really bother me, and I like it more walking through the gates, but I don’t like the metal detectors. They haven’t given me much problems, I just feel they take up a lot of time. For me this year it wasn’t really an issue,” said Macdonald.
Photo by Kyle McLaren