As students enjoyed spring break April 3 to April 13, new doors were installed to the gymnasium.

Assistant Principal Matt Moore said the doors were installed for protection of the students because the older doors could not be secured.

“There was no ability to lock the old doors,” Moore said.

With the old T-bars missing between the old doors, the gym would have to be evacuated in an emergency.

The old wooden doors were the original doors put on when the school was built in 1957.

Moore said the wooden doors were too old to continue repairing, and the repair costs were getting too expensive.

The bid for $68,970 was approved by the Board of Education in January for the gymnasium door replacement project.

Some students have complained that the school has the ability to buy new doors but not to run the heat.

But the reality is that the doors were paid for by the school sinking fund.

This fund only covers repairs in the schools. By law, that money may not be spent on teachers, supplies, cooling, or heating.

Most students are not aware of how much the new doors cost.

Senior Nick Romano said he thought the doors cost around $5,000.

He was shocked to find out the real price, but he was also fine with it.

Romano said, “It’s worth it because it’s for our safety.”

Students have mixed feelings about the doors.

Senior Michael Smith believes the doors look nice, but that the money could have been spent on better things.

Safety was the main focus of many students’ opinions on the doors.

Along with other students, Senior Hailee Herron believes the money was spent well because of the increased safety.

Herron said, “It will make the school safer if a shooter were to come in.”

Many teachers also admire the new doors.

Mr. Scott Lints, physical education teacher, said, “I like them, a lot.”

The doors have provided benefits for classes that take place in the gym.

Lints said the new doors trap sound in to keep from disrupting other classes. It also cuts down on having his classes interrupted now that the doors can be locked.