The Roseville High School 700 wing is soon to undergo an interior remodel to improve class functionality.

     According to RHS assistant principal Jon Coleman, the district has construction funds that have been budgeted for quite some time, which will be used to pay for the renovation.

     Construction is targeted to begin and finish in the summer of 2010.

     “Our goal is to have it ready to go and if the board allows us to continue, we will,” said Christopher Grimes, director of Roseville Joint Union High School District facilities.

     Due to the size of construction, there is some worry as to whether it will finish as scheduled.

     “There’s always a concern, but if it starts on time, it will be done on time,” said Coleman.

     To minimize demolition as much as possible, the foundation of the building will remain intact. However, the interior of the building will be changed.

     “They really do have a good plan,” said RHS science teacher Mike Purvines. “I still can’t believe it’s happening. It’s pretty exciting.”

     The 700 wing has five classrooms. There are three classrooms on one side of the hallway and two on the other side. In between the classrooms, there is a storage area. Both of the current storage areas will be taken down, increasing the size of the surrounding classrooms.

     The current hallway will be converted into a teacher office space. The current office space will remain, and a part of it will be used as a chemical storage area.

     Also, to comply with the current building code, more exits will be added to the building.

     “It is a true building wide renovation,” said Purvines.

     In addition to the increase of the size of the classes, a green design is being incorporated into the construction plan. More natural light will be available, reducing operating costs, and the interior walls will be insulated improving heating and air conditioning.

     “It will be a better use of the building as a whole,” said Coleman.

     This will be the first major renovation since the initial construction of the building. However, there have been minor improvements made over the years. According to Grimes, Lionakis, the company that will be renovating the 700 wing, stated that there was a minor renovation in the mid 1980s.

     The desire to have a remodel was brought to Grimes attention in 2003. Since that time, Grimes has been working alongside RHS science teachers taking into consideration their ideas.

     “I’ve been working with Mrs. Granucci for probably five years,” said Grimes.

     Grimes has had three meetings with the RHS science staff so far.

     “We talked about how Roseville teaches science, [and we] walked through every classroom and made changes to the plan as we worked with the staff,” said Grimes.

     Purvines is pleased with the amount of collaboration there has been with teachers.

     “It’s a very open communication process,” said Purvines.

     Each classroom is going to be a little different.

     “A chemistry classroom is very different from a biology room,” said Purvines.

     The budget is a big factor in this project.

      “There are some things that aren’t going to happen because of the budget,” said Purvines. “Instead of pulling the lab tables out, they are going to sand them and paint them.”

     More lab stations will be incorporated within the rooms. The sinks and the electrical wiring will still be connected to the wall. However, the rest of the lab station can be mobile. 

     “We believe this will give more area to work in the classroom,” said Grimes. “Our goal is to create as much flexibility in the room as possible.”

     According to Purvines, the addition of lab tables will benefit students learning.

     “It’s going to have a huge impact to have more lab stations,” said Purvines. “I will have the opportunity to do a lot more things.”

    This construction has been long awaited.      

    “We appreciate the board seeing the need in making this happen,” said Coleman.