Parents oppose Centennial High School modifications
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with a more specific statement from the school district.
Parents of students at Centennial High say they’re being left out of some possible and potentially expensive changes to the school
According to community members, the Las Cruces Public School District is looking into modifications for CHS.
Those modifications are being discussed in order to make the facility more comfortable for the 450 students who were recently folded into CHS after Columbia Elementary School was closed down and ordered to be demolished due to an infestation of mold.
However, some parents have spoken out to say that the modifications are not needed and will hurt the high school in the long term.
“They are going to tear out the labs,” said concerned parent Michael Washam. “They are going to redo the parking lot. They’re going to do playgrounds and then in three years when these kids go back to Columbia, they’re going to just destroy all that stuff and put it back to the way it was. I mean I am pretty sure the taxpayers are not interested in flushing hundreds of thousands of dollars down the toilet.”
According to multiple reports out of CHS, the situation has become so crowded that learning space is in short supply.
“It is going to be an inconvenience for those kids at the high school that are just trying to enjoy high school and now they’re having a problem doing that,” said Washam. “If you’re taking tests on gym floors because there isn’t enough room, that’s a problem.”
Student body president Cameron Castillo thinks that the answer could be found through re-districting or moving in portables to make up more space.
“For the last 5 months, the student body at centennial has been nothing but accommodating to the Columbia school community,” said Castillo. “Members in our student government organization have held work shops with students from various grade levels in order to help them adjust and feel more welcome in their new school environment.”
LCPS did release a statement regarding the situation saying in part:
“District officials have met with teachers and principals, but no decision has been made about the future configuration or logistical matters as they pertain to Columbia students at Centennial. However, the district is committed to lowering water fountains and urinals for the elementary students, and finding or creating an appropriate cafeteria and playground for them at their temporary location.”
