Security, media center improvements completed at Oak Harbor High School

OAK HARBOR - In addition to an extra layer of security, Oak Harbor High School students and staff are enjoying a brand new media center, now referred to as “The Hub.”

Beginning this week, after the first bell to start each school day, all foot traffic entering Oak Harbor High School will be funneled through a new security vestibule.

The vestibule, which is a new structure built this past summer to the left of the cafeteria entrance where there was previously only grass, also functions as the high school’s main office.

Prior to the new construction, the high school’s main office was located past the cafeteria. Visitors to the high school previously had to contact the office outside the doors then walk a considerable distance through the cafeteria to sign in.

Between those doors and the main office sat multiple hallways granting access to essentially the entire school. According to administrators, the new vestibule will now give school officials a much better visual on everyone entering after the bell, whether visitors, students or others.

“A lot of time went into planning (the layout),” said Guy Parmigian, superintendent of Benton-Carroll-Salem schools. “There’s no more having to look into the camera to try to see who it is.”

The project cost about an estimated $540,000 and was paid for through the district’s permanent improvement fund.

Also included in the project was improvements to the high school’s former library and now media center. The changes include all new furniture and more of technology and study focus. The new area offers a much more casual, university-like atmosphere.

“We call it ‘The Hub’ because the school is the hub of the community and (the media center) is the hub of the school,” Parmigian said.

He said the students have taken well to it and like the changes compared to the old high school library.

jstinchcom@gannett.com

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