West Essex High School was built over 60 years ago, and as we walk the halls today, many of its original parts still remain intact. However, various renovations have also been completed that have ensured our school can serve as a modern learning environment for its students. Considering how successful these renovations have been for their respective areas, West Essex should look toward implementing even more projects that could better our school community as a whole.
One extensive renovation in our school’s history was the auditorium, which was redone in 2019 and worked to improve features like lighting and sound effects. More recently, this past year, the culinary room was updated to provide students with an up-to-date kitchen that meets modern-day needs. Prior to this, a luxurious Esports room was implemented to give West Essex gamers a creative working space.
Our school has been fortunate enough to invest money into these kinds of projects and be met with students who are taking advantage of the opportunities provided to them. With this in mind, West Essex should start focusing on what can be done to improve other aspects of West Essex.
“There’s nothing in the works right now, other than room 107, the STEM room, that’s being finalized,” Westervelt said. “That was, again, just another space where we needed an updated lab for STEM so that the kids had the right equipment and the right space to produce. I know we are always looking to renovate classrooms that still aren’t updated.”
Some projects for the administration to consider in the coming years could be updating older facets of the school like the locker rooms, school bathrooms or other outdated classrooms. While particular updates for specific clubs or sports are beneficial, general renovations that will benefit the entire school would enhance the community even more. Some projects that Dr. Westervelt hopes to complete in the future acknowledge this concern as they attempt to encompass West Essex’s needs wholly.
“Obviously, I want to make sure every single classroom is up to date,” Dr. Westervelt said. “Ideally, I would also love to make the courtyard outside of the cafeteria a more user-friendly space: level it out, maybe put a deck or something out there where we can even make an outdoor classroom space. It could really just be a nicer space for kids to use in nice weather.”
While all of this is easy to suggest and discuss, no steps can be taken without the proper finances, as well as the input of everyone in the community.
“Decisions usually stem from someone having an idea, and then everyone in the district has to be involved in the decision-making, including the Superintendent and the Business Administrator, the Content Supervisor and the Director of Building and Grounds,” Dr. Westervelt said. “Of course, everything is also approved through the Board of Education.”
West Essex students and staff are very fortunate to have such a nice facility which is renovated somewhat regularly to further enhance the learning environment. While no renovations are urgent at the moment, West Essex should continue to invest money in projects that would allow the school to meet its full potential.
