As the number of students attending Wenatchee High School goes up, the building size remains the same. WHS is bursting at the seams with students in an overcrowded school, and as a result, many teachers have to share classrooms and more than 20 teachers have to move from one room to another to teach different classes throughout each day.

“It’s an inconvenience for everybody,” English teacher and department head Chris Cloke said. “Having to share a room [means] you don’t get your room during your off period so you have to pick up all your stuff and take it somewhere else, but the teachers who are moving from room to room definitely have it worse. It’s harder to do that. I’ve done it before and it’s much harder because it’s harder to stay organized.”

WHS simply does not have enough rooms for the teachers and students in the building. As well as room shortages, some departments don’t even have an office space for teachers who have to move rooms to use as a base. The resource center serves as a general office space for all teachers.

“That’s the most commonly used space for teachers,” Assistant Principal Dave Perkins said. “[The] staff room is not really used for academic prep.”

Also, there are programs in the building that require smaller class sizes, and as a result, more classes and more rooms. Intervention programs also require space.

“I always share my classroom, since I get to make the schedule,” Cloke said. “I’ve had some years where I’ve traveled to three or four rooms and it’s just harder to stay organized. Plus, when you don’t have that solid steady space every time in one place, projects are really difficult to work with.”

Lack of adequate consistency and space do not cause any curriculum cuts, but do change which projects teachers can use, and often the more “fun” ones are cut out, Cloke said.

“It’s harder to keep things together [when changing rooms],” English teacher Jennifer Netz said. “You’ll be surprised what a home base gives you. It improves your teaching vastly, at least that was my experience. I don’t mind sharing, I feel for those that do [have to change rooms] … I’ve heard them voice their frustrations as well and I understand. It’s hard, it’s tough.”

Netz has had to change rooms in the past at WHS, but this year is sharing her room with English teacher William Higgins, who teaches in her room during her prep period.

“It’s sometimes hard if a teacher stays in the same room, but [Higgins] is pretty cool about letting me stay in [the classroom while he teaches],” Netz said. “One of the reasons I like to stay in is he is so educational. I love listening to him speak, and the next thing I know I’m swept away, and I’m kind of auditing his class, which is great — he’s a great teacher.”

There are some plans for expanding next year. There will be one added science portable, Perkins said. Administrators are also collaborating on other ideas for managing space, such as breaking up larger classrooms. Any remodel or building construction needs a bond, which requires the school board and district office getting involved.

Perkins estimates that WHS needs at least six more rooms, with at least one additional math and English room.

“We’re doing the best we can with the resources we have in front of us,” Perkins said, adding that the administration is working towards solutions with inputs from the academic departments. “[We’re] just trying to be solution-oriented.”

While the room changes and shares is inconvenient, it does make both teachers and students more flexible and adaptable to having to change plans based on a situation.

“Ultimately, I’m glad that I’m not the one going back and forth, and I feel for those that do,” Netz said.