As students and staff returned from Winter Break on Jan. 8, they were met with noticeable changes in the hallways,  including fresh white paint, bright lights and carpet, as well as the removal of the historical display case outside Jack Willie Gym. All senior class photos were removed except for the Class of 2023. These changes were directed by Superintendent Sean Dorsey with the intent to modernize the school as a first step to increase enrollment. 

With a declining enrollment of 390 students at the high school from a pre-COVID enrollment of around 500 students yearly, the district is looking to attract new students. 

“One of the things that we felt like we could afford both at the high school and middle school in the short term, was to just brighten up the space,” Dorsey said.  

 The majority of the backlash from the community has not come over the new carpet and lights, but over the removal of the senior class composite photos. A plan to display the photos going forward is still in the works.

“Our plan is to create a space in the high school where those physical pictures could live and be accessible, so they’re not going away,” Dorsey said. “But there also has to be spaces where current students’ accomplishments are celebrated. I am pretty aware that there are some significant awards that are sitting in classrooms that should be displayed that are more about current students.”

One of the big questions among community members is who in the district decided to make the changes. “I certainly consulted building level leadership, other district leaders and just other members of the district,” Dorsey said. “But I will also own that ultimately, at the end of the day, certain decisions you have to leave them at the foot of somebody, and I take that responsibility.”

While currently the renovations have been focused on the hallways, there are ideas to expand into classrooms, bathrooms and the commons. 

“Our hope is to make sure that that’s something that’s public and accessible and make sure that kids, alumni and staff can access that, and we have some exciting things that we’re working through there,” Principal Anna Conrad said. “Once we have more information, we’ll be happy to make an announcement.”

Balancing tradition with modernization is important for a historic place like Manitou Springs, where some families have three generations of Mustangs. 

“Tradition is more than just how the building looks because obviously we do want to maintain it, and we want to make the building as aesthetically pleasing as we can while maintaining our traditional values,” social studies Teacher Sam Duff said. “Everybody has very different interpretations of what is a priority and what needs to be fixed immediately.”

Students have mixed opinions on the recent updates, but one of the main topics is the lack of student input. “I think people aren’t even upset about the carpet, I think they’re upset at the fact that they weren’t communicated with,” Student Body President Kate Johnson (12) said. “There’s a slight disconnect between students and admin.” 

The recent improvements are intended to have an emphasis on celebrating current students as well as supporting future ones. “Student voice is something that there’s always more opportunity to listen to,” Dorsey said. “And so I think if we should consider some other spaces for updating, I think bringing in student voice to that is something that we shouldn’t miss.”