West Springfield student leadership and principal Michael Mukai enjoy some sunshine during lunch on the first day of school. (From left) Brittany Branch, Grace Duah, Caleb Plott, principal Mukai, Collin Farquhar, Abby Basse and Michelle Park. Photo by Tim Peterson.
Viewpoints
What are you most looking forward to today, this school year?
Unsuspecting underclassmen may have heard rumors of a nonexistent “third floor” at West Springfield High School. Soon enough, principal Michael Mukai pointed out, there will actually be one. A massive renovation is scheduled for this school year, and prominent in Mukai’s mind on the first day of school.
“Just getting everything in order -- it’s a big shift,” he said. There are already trailers set up in the rear of the school to house displaced classrooms. And then there’s the matter of parking: All students and as many as 30 faculty members will lose the spots for their cars on school grounds during the renovation.
Sports practices may not be able to be held in the same place, and school plays might not be able to show in the auditorium. “We have to be prepared to deal with day to day changes,” Mukai said.
But on a warm, sunny first day of school, only two out of all the school’s buses were late, and just by a few minutes, the principal said. He doesn’t have to displace any drivers just yet. “We have a great community, to go with whatever happens and make adjustments.”
