The extension of the science building, which administrators hope will be completed September 2020, will be the most recent addition to Palo Alto High School, adding to a growing list of construction upgrades including the recent completion of the library and gym.
The $14 million construction project, which started in August, surprised many.
“It was a shock to me on the first day of school,” sophomore Iris Li said. “It used to be easier to get dropped off between the tennis courts and lacrosse field but [on the first day] I couldn’t go through because it was blocked and I was frustrated.”
As the construction is blocking off access to many science classrooms, students now take the inner hallways to get to class.
“It’s difficult to get to my chemistry class as the hallways within the science building are always super crowded,” Li said.
One concern was that of noise, distracting to nearby classes. However, chemistry teacher Ashwini Avadhani said she appreciates efforts of the administration to mitigate this potential issue.
“Whenever it [the construction work] becomes loud, the administration has stepped in,” she said. “Like on the exam day, the construction was halted.”
Science classes currently conducted in the portables will eventually move into the expanded science building.
“They [the science classrooms] will be equipped with all the lab stations and requirements very similar to what we have in the older classrooms,” Avadhani said.
Assistant Principal Jerry Berkson said the portables will remain for the foreseeable future to house programs displaced by upcoming construction projects including the renovation of the Tower Building.
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