In recent years, the Ashland educational landscape has seen a transformative wave of renovations and modernizations. New constructions, enhanced security measures, and perimeter fencing have become commonplace. However, amidst these new additions AHS stands as an outlier. It’s needs and maintenance are seemingly overlooked in comparison to its district counterparts.
Take a stroll through the hallways of AHS, and it’s impossible to ignore the makeshift solutions that have become a part of the school’s fabric. Patches are taped over holes in walls and buckets strategically placed to catch the relentless drip of leaks are a normal sight. These are not signs of a school that is thriving, rather one that is trying to survive. In contrast with this is the transformation Ashland Middle School has undergone. It’s a major difference. AMS boasts extensive upgrades including an enclosed outdoor skate park, inviting student lounges, and secure fencing. The campus is alive with copious amounts greenery- trees, plants, and flowers. Even a fish tank adds a splash of serenity. AMS has crafted an environment that is not just educational but nurturing and welcoming, a place where students can be their best.
Another addition to AMS is their “Cubs Corner,” a student lounge complete with cozy couches, chairs, a large table, and a television, showing the school’s commitment to student well-being. It is a place where students can unwind before school or during lunch, fostering a sense of belonging and connection. Imagine if AHS could mirror such spaces. The difference is most evident at AHS when recalling the lost, once vibrant outdoor space by the humanities building. It was a place where students could gather while surrounded by blooming trees, where students learned and laughed at the picnic tables. It’s absence during current construction is felt deeply. Envision comforting areas across the campus, offering a safe sanctuary for those who may need a calm environment. These additions could significantly bolster our school spirit, creating a stronger, more unified student body.
A concern that comes with an outdoor campus is the lack of safety at AHS. We do not have fencing or a barrier surrounding the school to prevent strangers from coming onto campus. Most doors on campus do not have windows to see who is knocking on the door, which leaves uncertainty of who you will be letting in. AHS also doesn’t have a School Resource Officer. The Medford school district has a total of five SRO’s and Ashland has none. SRO’S lower the amount of violence that occurs on campuses, and they are more equipped to stop threats. School Resource Officers also build positive relationships with the student body to establish officers being role models rather than someone to be afraid of.
Why is AHS Last in Line?
In elementary school, parents were a vital part of the learning process. Parents were heavily involved in field trips, class parties, and school events. At Ashland High School, parents rarely step foot on campus, which leaves them unaware of the state of our school. During the 2017 bond cycle AHS was put lower on the agenda for repairs and remodeling. The list of projects created by the bond committee had many goals for the district. Ashland High school only had three listed goals, including improved accessibility, repurposing science classrooms, and improving air quality and security. Perhaps because we are less visible, these projects have been put to the back burner more than other schools. Parents and community members are more inclined to push for change when they have visited campus themselves. The lack of funding has caused problems at the school to be put to the side or covered with quick fixes Instead of being completely addressed.
Ashland High School needs the community’s help in restoring and building an environment to flourish in, a place where students do not have the feeling that they need to escape, but where they could feel engaged and proud to say they go to AHS. Ashland High School needs to be a priority now, not during the next bond cycle in upcoming years. School should not be a place where you worry about your safety or the quality of your classrooms.
