by Nick Walker, Red & Blue Staff Writer
Those driving by Kokomo High School South Campus lately may be wondering what the heck is going on? The 21st Century plan is being put into effect, and it includes many renovations to the South Campus building.
The building's north side will include the addition of the Kokomo Area Career Center (KACC). Classes are currently held at the Downtown Campus. "I think the new building will help our enrollment because students can stay in one place," said Mike Miller, KACC marketing teacher. "It is also good to have all classes in a centralized location."
Another renovation being made, is the addition of a 500-seat gymnasium. This will be used to create more Physical Education classes to work around student's schedules. As well as the gym, brand new locker and weight room facilities will be added.
The east side will have additional classes and labs added, which will include several English and Special Education classrooms. The band area will also have some additional classrooms.
One might ask, Why are all these changes being made? The 21st Century plan includes some restructuring in the lower grades. Eighth graders will return to the middle schools and freshmen will come to South Campus.
The old Downtown Campus building will be razed. However, Memorial Gymnasium will still be used to house Wildkat basketball games.
Although the ground breaking took place in March, the project is not scheduled to be finished until the fall of 1998. So it is still a question as to when the freshmen will be at South Campus.
Due to the construction, the parking situation has been very confusing at times. The loading zone for the buses was moved from the west drive to the south drive. The north drive is the only drive in and out for students. A road in the back of the parking lot has been added for easier access to Lincoln Road. Harold Canady, principal, recommends that students should allow themselves extra time to get to school in the morning to avoid traffic problems.
"They should take a different approach with the parking lot, because there is always heavy traffic," said Ashleigh Warner, sophomore.
The construction may seem like a lot of trouble now, but in the end the school will be bigger and better equipped to fit the needs of the students. "The key to all of this is we have to be flexible and patient," said Canady.
Last updated on June 3, 1997