Measure BB construction plans becoming concrete

The north side of the Samo campus is paying witness to the erection of a new Science and Technology building, exciting students, teachers and administrators alike.According to Dean of Students Catherine Baxter, the building is going to cover 97,000 square feet and stretch three stories, with a roof plan as well. Baxter said that the project is currently under budget, and there have been few issues thus far.“After seeing how well the Science Quad turned out, I can only imagine how amazing the building will be,” sophomore Jennifer Reynoso said. “At the same time, it’s kind of bittersweet. Samo has been here for so long, and it’s crazy knowing that it’s going through such a change.”Baxter said there have also been a few meetings discussing new furniture in classrooms. According to Baxter, the new building will feature three new models of classrooms with varying styles of furniture.One model, Baxter said, features tiered classrooms in which students have the option to stand and do work; another features triangular tables which can be moved around to form different groupings, while the third contains swivel chairs and stools to maximize mobility.“It is going to be an amazing building with all up-to-date science and technology labs,” Principal Laurel Fretz said. “We are so lucky our community cares about Samo and supports our growth and rebuilding.”According to Baxter, the building will be made completely out of environmentally sustainable materials. Baxter said sustainable products last longer, making them a better choice for budget than cheaper materials that will not last for long periods of time.“It excites me that the new building will be environmentally friendly,” senior and Samo Solar Alliance (SSA) co-president Julian Mickelson said.There are concerns among students and teachers, however, with the construction of the new building.“The thing that frustrates me about the construction is that there is no senior parking this year,” Mickelson said.English teacher Paul Sinfield also finds the construction’s noise level to be, at times, distracting.“It is really noisy and my classroom is right next to the construction, and I teach a reading class, so it is nice when it’s quiet,” Sinfield said. “But it looks like the building is going to be beautiful and my students are excited to see what happens.”And the construction also has Samo administrators excited. Some were especially pleased with the new Science Quad.“One day we were out there talking and [O-House Principal Clara] Herran just ran and did a cartwheel on the grass,” Fretz said. “[S-House Principal Jason] Kurtenbach was so inspired, he did too.”cgoldberg@thesamohi.com