The new building has come with some benefits and issues for students. Namely, after the geography of the campus was expanded, the time between classes given for transitions was shortened causing some problems for many members of the student body..

With the full integration of students back on campus after a  few years due to COVID-19 restrictions, student traffic appears to be more populated, especially with the continued addition of the construction of campus buildings. There have been numerous complaints circulating within the student body about how inconvenient the shorter passing periods have become. Students say it is affecting them in ways such as being unable to get to class on time, use the restroom or interact with their friends.

“I think the biggest issue with the five-minute period is going from the old to the new building,” said senior Micah Truelove-Herrick. “There’s major congestion, and most of the time I’m late to whatever class is in the old 300’s.”

As there is only one elevator available currently, students who use the elevator are finding it harder than normal to get to class on time. Freshman Violet Rizen said that the experience of her unique situation with transitioning between classes was unpleasant.

“I can never make it to class on time, and there are so many students in one hallway. It makes it so you can’t go through the doors,” Rizen said. “I can barely get to class in time even with the extra five minutes added onto the passing period that they gave me because I was in a boot,”

The results of a Google Form sent out to the student body about the passing period reported that of the 293 responses, 87.3% of students said they disliked the current transition time. Those who disliked the current time commented that the perfect amount of time to get between classes would be closer to six or seven minutes. A student, who wished to remain anonymous, gave their input on why they felt this way.

“I feel super rushed in between classes, not only having super crowded stairwells and going between the new and old buildings but also because our passing period time got shortened by 2 minutes. (That additional time) seems like it wouldn’t be much, but it really helped,” they said.  “With the current passing period, we spend about 1-2 minutes of class time waiting for any “late” people to get to class anyway.”

While the greater majority of students stated a general disliking of the current passing period, there have reportedly been minimal complaints directed to the administration regarding the current passing period time.

Dr. Gregory Fick, the 12th-grade principal, also stated that there were almost half as many tardy-related offenses this semester compared to the first semester last year, and minimal complaints have been made to the administration about the passing period time or fixing attendance.

“Last year, in term one, we had ninety-eight offenses total for the ninth grade, and for the 9th grade this term, we had fifty-three,” said Fick. “A fifty-percent decrease in referrals and consequences, which in normal times, would be unheard of.”

Main Principal Dr. Cochran said there are currently no plans to change the schedule for this school year.

“I still believe nine times out of ten, five minutes is plenty of time to get to class on time. I also feel like our teachers are relatively flexible when it comes to tardies.” He added, “that is the message we’ve given to our teachers. If there is someone you know who is trying their best to get to class on time, we ask teachers to really be flexible with students who’re in that situation.”

Despite the complaints about the current schedule, Cochran stated that he believes this is a positive change that will benefit class time.

“There will always be some students and teachers who want more, and so you have to make the best decision to maximize why we’re here, which is to learn,” he said.