The proposal to build a new Woodstock Union High School and Middle School is the talk of the town and of the hallways, the school board, and the broader community. School architectural designs hang on the wall in the lobby, reassuring students that the plans are moving forward, slowly but surely.

There have been whispers that much of the pushback on this new school is coming from the parents of graduating students or alumni, and that the new school does not warrant their support. We understand fully the amount of money and effort this new school will take, but it’s truly long overdue. There is no other option.

As seniors at WUHS, we understand that we won’t be able to experience these wonderful new plans come to life. However, the upgrade is something that we feel strongly about. We have experienced almost six years in the current building, and know firsthand of its slow deterioration.

The need for a new building has now become urgent.

The school district just spent nearly $1.4 million on a new heating system, which already has its problems. The boiler room is out of date and continuously has issues, the roof must be shoveled in order to avoid leaking, and water problems persist, especially with several unusable sinks and unsuitable locker rooms.

Most utilities in buildings such as schools should be replaced every 40 years or so, which we have surpassed by over 20 years. The loud construction noise, varying temperatures and constant facility breakages have been distractions from our education for far too long. In order to reach the piping systems, personnel have to drill through the walls and surrounding concrete. These obsolete techniques needed to constantly fix the current high school present challenges to school staff.

There are also other major safety concerns, such as the unusable PA systems and an unsafe layout of the building. And these are just the issues that we as students know about. Small fixes won’t do the job anymore.

We recognize that many current students are out-of-town tuition students, and have chosen to attend WUHSMS, bringing their tuition dollars with them. It should be taken into account that these families do not have a say in the new school, but we want to be sure that they stay. We personally know Woodstock students who have chosen to transfer because of the school’s insufficiencies. In order to continue the flow of tuition students and to keep local students, we need a safe and comfortable school environment to learn in.

Whether or not you’re involved in the WUHSMS school community, we’re asking you to take a moment to put yourselves in our shoes. With the bond vote around the corner in March 2024, we urge you to keep the safety and well-being of students in mind. A new building will not only benefit the immediate school community, but the Mountain Views and Woodstock community alike for years to come.

Celeste Belisle and Maggie Mello are members of the class of 2024 at Woodstock Union High School.