The unit is roomy, but the heating units along the wall have lost their housings and the elements are exposed. The window shades are torn and there is a faint musty odor. However, the students and teachers say they appreciate the space and the quiet. Ted Houlihan, the new dean of students at Souhegan, said the school is very crowded. One day last week the staff had to use the room at the Amherst public library for a coordinators' meeting because there was no space left at the school.
Planning is always there, but there is also budget reality.
They are two different things. McGuigan said he volunteered to hold class in the portable for four periods a day. But that aside, he likes having a space to store his supplies. Students said they have some problems hearing announcements, but on the whole, the portable is just fine. It doesn't have an effect on my learning process, I mean, I'm going to learn.