As PHS students begin another academic year, it is difficult to ignore the construction projects occuring around the school. There are many renovations that are currently underway at PHS, most visibly including updates to the guidance suite, the addition of a second floor to the fitness center, and the construction of new bathrooms and a concession stand next to the track.

One of the most prominent projects currently happening is the construction of new bathrooms next to the football field. PPS Business Admnistrator Matthew Bouldin looks forward to their completion.

“They’re building a restroom and a small concession area,” Bouldin said. “I think it’s great for the athletic facilities. A lot of other school districts have buildings like that. Unfortunately, it looks like it’s still going to be at least seven weeks out.”

The construction of the new restrooms is one of many additions that received funding through a 2018 referendum that allotted $11 million towards facilities improvements at PHS through a community-wide vote.

“There’s always ongoing work in school districts,” Bouldin said. “So one of the most fiscally responsible ways that we can do that here in the district … is to bond through a referendum like was done in 2018. For regular stuff like [heating, ventilation, and air conditioning] and roof replacements, the state will give us up to 34 cents on the dollar back for the debt service.”

Also included in the referendum are the renovations above the fitness center as well as the cafe that will be replacing the school store. Bouldin believes that the new cafe will help decrease the current overcrowding of the cafeteria.

“The idea is to have a satellite food service section. It’ll be an alternate place where you guys can go and grab a slice of pizza … an alternate way to alleviate some of the crowdings in the cafeteria,” Bouldin said.

While these projects are still underway, they are not without obstacles. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the construction at PHS in many ways, one setback being the construction of the cafe. Currently facing a labor shortage, the cafe’s progress is behind schedule.

“Nutri-Serve, which provides our meals, was having trouble getting labor. So we’re hoping we’ll have someone to man that satellite remote dining area as soon as possible,”Bouldin said. “So the idea is to have limited options … for a little while, until we get up and running and get full manpower.”

In addition to creating a labor shortage, the pandemic has also put significant pressure on the supply chain. This has led to delays in many projects due to missing and delayed parts.

“One of the parts was on backorder for 16 weeks because of supply shortages. So the contractor was able to … fabricate part of the rooftop ductwork that was originally going to be a prefab or premanufactured and set in place,” Bouldin said.

In some cases though, the problems created by the supply chain were not so easily solved.

“In the Littlebrook library renovation … we’re missing the carpet,” Bouldin said. “Our contract was told it was shipped. But they don’t have a tracker on it, so it’s missing in action and it’s holding up the last piece to open up that library. So anyway, [it’s] all very frustrating.”

Despite all of the setbacks, Bouldin is happy with how the construction has gone and believes that it will benefit students in years to come.

The renovations to the building will not end with the completion of these projects. Due to a growing student body and an aging building, Bouldin anticipates that new projects will be necessary in order to provide the students of PHS with the best possible learning experience.

“We’ve had a lot of changes going on … You know, the demographics, growing enrollments,” Bouldin said. “So there is the potential to do a future expansion to the high school, you know, two to three years down the road.”