Recently, classrooms in the social studies hallway of the main building have relocated due to what the school says are “simply renovations.”

 

But students and teachers have speculated that the renovations are not random, but are an effect of the appearance of rats in that hallway. 

 

This rumor is only partly true. The suspicion that there are foundational problems on the first floor of the main building is correct. The rumor about rats is not true, mice got in, not rats.

 

While students claim they saw rats, staff such as Mr. Craddock said, “It’s become a whole situation but most of it is hearsay.” 

 

Staff particularly believe in the mice with some reporting seeing mouse droppings in their rooms.

 

The mice problem started because of the foundational issues in the floor of the main building. Classrooms that got renovated had construction done on the floor and some of the walls.

 

Some of the relocated classrooms include Devita, Travagline, Craddock, Adams, and Enghdal.

 

Affected rooms moved to empty classrooms upstairs, and others had to have class in the library. 

 

Craddock’s class was in the library for an entire week. Craddock said, “[moving to the library] definitely caused chaos because [he] had to shift assignments and lesson plans.”

 

Moving rooms impacted the learning processes of the students affected. Jack Hedgepeth, junior, said, “I couldn’t focus as much.”

 

Being in a different environment disrupted students’ ability to learn. Lila Doxey, sophomore, said, “When I move classrooms, I get distracted by the different environment, and it makes it harder for me to pay attention.”

 

This week, all students and teachers are back in their own classrooms. Every student interviewed said they noticed nothing different with the floor or walls of the room that were renovated. 

 

Craddock said, “[I only noticed a difference in the floor] once they pointed it out to me, but it was just a small line.”

 

Even though no one notices a difference, the renovations were real. On Wednesday, September 24, students and staff heard a high pitch banging sound in the hallway. Once investigated, it was found to be construction workers chipping away at part of a wall. 

 

The floors in both Craddock and Adams’ room were fixed. While in Craddock’s room for an interview in the middle of the renovations, his tile floors were torn up on the side of the room’s exterior wall. After the renovations, you can see a noticeable difference in Adams’ room.