Santa Barbara High School is in the midst of construction as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are being installed in the 60s, 70s, and 80s classroom buildings. While the upgrades are expected to bring much-needed heating and air conditioning, the current work is causing significant disruptions for classes in those areas. 

In addition to the HVAC installations, major construction is being done on the 70s rooms after the area flooded last winter break, causing considerable damage. Teachers were relocated from the 70s to other classrooms around campus after last winter and have been teaching there since. Repairs from the flood have contributed to delays in the HVAC installation for that area. Principal Fred Razo acknowledged the inconvenience, noting that construction workers have been putting in extra hours on weekends and evenings to stay on track. 

The HVAC system in the 60s building is progressing on schedule, but work on the 70s and 80s buildings has been delayed. According to Principal Razo, the installation is now projected to be completed by mid to late October. This is largely due to a delay in the HVAC units coming in for the 70s and 80s. “It’s not uncommon for large projects like this to experience setbacks,” remarked Razo. 

Teachers have been patient but express frustration with the constant noise. “It’s really hard to give instructions or even hold conversations in class,” said Tania Viscarra, an English teacher in room 84. “I think we’re able to make light of it because we know that we’re going to get AC and heating, which we really need, so I always have that in mind,” she said, adding, “I have learned to really appreciate quiet.”

Patricia Ruth, another English teacher affected by the construction, noted how the disruptions have affected her students. “It has definitely impacted my students’ ability to participate in the learning process,” she said. Ruth added that although construction must be done during school hours, she wishes the summer work could have been sped up to reduce disruption. She also faced a challenging first week with her 0-period class, during which the noise was particularly disturbing. Ruth proposed moving that class to the Alumni Conference Room in the main building, which Principal Razo approved, providing a much-needed solution for that class. However, her other classes during periods 1 and 2 have continued to be disrupted by noise from both the roof and ground floor.

Despite the challenges, Ruth reflected, “Every cloud has a silver lining, and once this is done, we will all be happy.” Like many teachers, she emphasized the importance of better communication throughout the process. “In the future, I would like to see better communication among all the parties involved. From the manufacturers, to the shippers, to the purchasers at the school district headquarters, to the administrators downtown, to the construction companies and their workers, to our administration here, and, finally, to us teachers. That is a complex web of communication, but I’d like to see it done better. I think part of the problem is that administrators themselves get mixed messages,” she said.

In addition to the noise disruption, many teachers were inconvenienced with the task of moving everything out of their classrooms before summer and moving it back in just a few days before school, taking away from their time to prepare for the start of the school year.

Despite the challenges, the school administration is optimistic that the end is in sight. “There’s always a little pain before progress,” said Ed Gomez, the assistant principal in charge of facilities. “When the project’s done, the memories of the noise and dust will soon be forgotten,” remarked Razo.

Construction vehicles and equipment block the entrance to the MAD Academy, having been stationed there for months. [Image Credit: Ashley Lemons]