Remodel Improves Look At MCHS
The 100 and 200 hallways at McDonald County High School were remodeled over the summer, bringing a fresh, new look to the school.
Principal Julie Holloway said the hallways got new tile and new paint, as well as new, energy-efficient LED lights. Classrooms were remodeled as well, receiving new paint and tile, new outlets, new bulletin boards and whiteboards, she said.
“It really all just started with replacing the tile, because tiles were mix-matched, and we were able to do asbestos abatement,” she said.
Workers installed 22,000 square feet of tile at the high school, she added. Now the halls boast bright white tile accented with red and black squares, the school’s colors. The walls have a bright red stripe at eye level.
“We tried to tie in the red and black to unify the building and promote our school colors,” Holloway said.
Additionally, four bathrooms were remodeled, with new red and black epoxy floors and new stalls.
“Now it’s clean, it’s light,” Holloway said. “The hallways used to be dingy and discolored.”
She said, in the 100 hallway, there were missing tiles and a lot of the ones that were there did not match due to being replaced over the years.
“We covered up the mustard yellow and light blue tile. It’s funny to think that was a color that was used back in the ’60s when the school was built,” she said.
Holloway said the school’s maintenance crew did all the painting, and the tile work was contracted out.
“I think having a fresh, new environment, students have commented on it several times how they want to keep it that way. So I think there’s a sense of pride that comes with that,” English teacher Logan Grab said of the remodel.
Senior Zoe Vallance said of the changes, “I think they’re absolutely amazing. It looks very clean and it represents our school colors nicely. I think it helps to be in a classroom that has nice paint on the walls, doesn’t have chips or anything. It makes you feel comfortable like you’re in a nice place that cares about your comfort.”
“It’s definitely better for safety because last year there were a lot of accidents in (the 100 hallway) when people would trip on missing tiles,” said junior Eugenio Mendoza. “Aesthetically, it’s better and efficient, especially the restrooms upstairs because last year they had no doors. They used to be the restrooms nobody wanted to go to. I think the improvements in our school have affected us positively and will continue to affect us in a great way.”
“It’s a huge difference for the school,” Holloway concluded.