The Salem (New Hampshire) district has completed renovations on the century-old Woodbury Middle School building.
The Eagle-Tribune reports that the improvements have brought the school up to date on safety regulations, improved heating and electrical systems and boosted security measures. The school's 780 students now have a fully operational gymnasium, and a new cafeteria and classroom wing.
"Today is a significant milestone in the school district's multiyear effort to create safe facilities for our students and families," said Superintendent Maura Palmer. "Just like a middle child, this school patiently waited for its turn while all the others got the attention.”
The building was erected in 1925 and served as the town's high school. It has shifted in its uses over the years. There have been a series of renovations and additions since it was constructed.
A major improvement is the change in layout. Instead of having just a hallway to work with, the teachers now have "pod" areas, little sitting sections for students and breakout study rooms. The updated campus has about 170,000 square feet of space, about 40,000 square feet more than before.
In addition to the updated space, now called the Open Commons, the cafeteria, library, gymnasium, art, and music classrooms were all renovated.
The architect is Lavallee Brensinger Architects.
