Transitioning to trailers
Cedar Shoals will soon be undergoing significant renovations to improve conditions for both students and staff alike. During this period of renovations, the Freshman Academy will be relocated temporarily to modular units in the student parking lot.
“When we come back to school in January, the Freshman Academy students will go out to what we call the modular units. Currently teachers are beginning to pack and we’ll have more follow up conversations about what to expect soon,” Associate Principal of Operations Dr. Utevia Tolbert said.
Freshman Wesley Whitehead believes that the choice to move freshmen into modular units is disappointing but understandable.
“I don’t really see how moving students into the trailers is fair. But to be honest I don’t really care since they’re redoing the Freshman Academy, which is going to pay off for students in the long run,” Whitehead said.
The use of portable classrooms is a practical solution while renovations are occurring, having been used by Clarke County during past projects. While the Hilsman Middle School building was being renovated, sixth-grade students were moved into portable classrooms. Cedar’s modular units are located outside the main building next to the student parking lot and will include a new plumbing system.
“Currently, it looks like we’re moving ahead of schedule. It’s to my understanding that the Freshman Academy will remain in the modular units until the renovation is completed,” Tolbert said. “While they are in the modular units, we will continue to move other grades into the renovated Freshman end of the building until we are done.”
The Clarke County school district has undertaken several renovation projects in the past, including the renovation of Clarke Central High School in 2016.
Freshman math teacher Logan Garrett believes that the transition to the modular units is going to be a refreshing change for freshmen and the entire school.
“I think students and teachers are going to be excited for the new cafeteria, which is going to be around 1,000 square feet larger, along with the media center which also means more comfortable spaces for students in the future,” Garrett said.
