Westmont High is at the center of Silicon Valley, a hub of innovation and seismic shifts in technology. However, despite the massive shift of the area’s dominant industry — from agriculture to tech — the school has changed little since it first opened its doors in 1965.
That’s a problem. With aging facilities and vulnerability to ever-extreme weather, the school must adapt to stay competitive. When power outages hit in February, causing multiple days of school closures, officials awoke to the need of keeping schools open during blackouts.
Before: All toilets used motion sensors, leading to unusable bathrooms during the outages.
Now: Half the bathrooms are now on a manual flush system, half on low-voltage sensing. The electrician newly wired the low-voltage flushers so we won’t lose the ability to use the bathrooms next time.
Moreover, Principle Jason Miller was happy to share information about other renovations the school is looking to make.
-The portable buildings should count their days as the school tries to ensure every teacher has their own classroom. “An eyesore” as some have regarded them.
-The field could be replaced by turf, which would be less expensive than regular grass upkeep
-Due to many team practice conflicts, the school hopes to build a second gym.
-An additional gym could lead to more classrooms in the surrounding area.
Many of these changes sound long overdue but don’t count on them happening soon. The school needs more funding, which is likely only possible through a bond measure in 2024. So, underclassmen, I hope you enjoy the lounge!