School boards get tour of renovated Gilford High School

Members of the Gilford and Gilmanton school boards were led on a tour of the renovated Gilford High School last evening by principal Ken Wiswell. Scheduled as part of the boards' joint meeting, the excursion followed along the maze of hallways that have been carved out of the 30-year old building, which when first opened offered an open concept environment devoid of partitions.

Now there are an estimated forty enclosed classrooms and countless offices and storage rooms that take on some unique shapes and sizes. Where carpet once absorbed the sound, but also the dirt of the thousands of feet that tramp through the building daily, vinyl tile now covers the surfaces, gleaming in the combination florescent and natural light.

Most of the classrooms have ample window area, and hallways and stairwells are illuminated by the judicious use of skylights. Wall surfaces are bright, the new furniture utilitarian, and the abundance of computer equipment a constant reminder that technology plays an essential role in today's instruction.

"I really like the tile floors," observed Gilford School Board member Margo Weeks. "It's looks cleaner and it has to be easier to keep clean."

According to Wiswell, students and teachers alike are raving about the new environs, and former students have been complimenting the look of the structure. "Alumni are gawking at the building, amazed at how great it looks," Wiswell reported. "The students are happy, the faculty's happy, it's really been well received."

If there are any drawbacks at all, from Wiswell's perspective, it's the lack of adequate storage space. "We're having to use the shower areas in the locker rooms for storage," he told board members, noting that since students rarely shower after physical education anyway, they didn't seem to mind.

Senior class president Nick Farruggia confirmed Wiswell's assertion that students are happy with the transformation. "It's easier to get things done," he said. "There aren't as many distractions now that the open concept is gone."

Natasha Furbish, the senior class secretary agreed. "It was like an office building," she recalled. "You were always aware of everything going on all around and it was more difficult to focus."

Yet students were not universally pleased with the altered environment. "You don't see people as much anymore," complained Katherine Petrozzi, senior class treasurer. "With the open concept, you saw everyone all the time."

"And the way everything is spread out, it takes longer to get between classes," Furbish pointed out. "The three minutes we're allowed isn't enough."

Teacher Lorienne Valvanie, who is the senior class advisor, seemed to concur. "It's a long way between some classrooms," she acknowledged. "I always have at least one student per class arrive late."

Farroggia said that to adapt, he can't take time out between classes to run to his locker. "If you have to have something for class, you'd better have it with you," he said. "Three minutes isn't enough time."

Overall, however, the students preferred the renovated building to the previous configuration. "It was really hard last year when it was under construction," Furbish recalled. "This is a lot better."