Renovations at the Highschool:
Here at MHS, there are a lot of projects waiting to begin. First on the docket is a large expansion of the Tech. Ed. area. McFarland’s Tech. Ed. program has grown considerably in size since the area was first built. MHS is one of the few high schools in Dane County that has such an expansive offering of Tech. Ed. classes, which includes all of the traditional building trades a nationally certified auto-tech program, as well as Project Lead the Way engineering courses, and Spartan Manufacturing. A second story will be added above the district offices to make up for lost space during the Tech. Ed. expansion.
As for the largest (and most highly anticipated) renovations, the school will be getting a brand new pol and auditorium. The school pool and auditorium have been in need of serious upgrades for some time, both being 40 years old and out of date. The seating in the auditorium is pretty small, and the pool is only 6 lanes. Building a pool today, a minimum of eight lanes would be expected, if not more. Because the high school serves double duty as the community pool, it suffers a lot of extra wear and tear. Through the referendum, our pool will be upgraded so it can run eight lanes in one direction or ten lanes in another, depending on the stringing of the lane lines. As for searing, expect an upstairs mezzanine, which will create ample desk space perfect for hosting swim meets.
Minimal locker space is a current limitation, so additional locker space will be added for the community and the swim teams use.
“I am so excited for the new pool,” said sophomore swimmer Ella Weaver, “Not only will it give our team a better space to practice in, it will be much more functionable... it’s going to be one amazing pool [and] I can’t wait to swim in it.”
The school pool and auditorium will still be adjacent, as all expansions will be built off the back of the high school. Our current auditorium is comprised of 381 seats, but the renovated auditorium will hold 850 seats. This will allow the entire student body and staff to use the auditorium for assemblies and programs in lieu of the gym. “I feel like the new auditorium will be such a significant improvement, not only to the drama department but within the community - bringing people together for a love of music, stories, and adventures,” said sophomore Callie Korth, who has participated in two MHS productions so far.
Currently, for community members to attend an event in the auditorium, they have to weave their way through the hallways to the back of the high school. While the auditorium will still be accessible that way, there will be main floor access via a small parking lot behind the school, which will cover the baseball field. Fortunately, the referendum provides a solution.