Many students have assumed why the 500 building was re-opened this school year. However, not a lot of them know the real reason why.  

There has been a lot of speculation over why the 500 building was reopened this school year, considering it has been closed for 3 years.  Many assumed it was reopened because of overcrowding. Enrollment, this school year is at an all-time high, with 1,380 students overall.  

“Combs High School is growing, and opening the 500 building gives us classroom spaces to accommodate our returning students, in a manner that gives students class options,” Principal Brooke Davis said.  “Now there is more space to actually do things in, and it allows our CTE department to not have to double a lab as a classroom.”

As pointed out by some students, the bottom half of the 500 building only has four classrooms being used. Meanwhile, in the upper half of the 500 building, every class, except for one, is being used.  

“We still have space to grow,” Davis said. “Downstairs will be used for teacher spaces and as we add new classes and programming, those classrooms will be filled soon.”

As noticed, a lot of departments got put into specific buildings so they could all be together.

“The history, foreign language, and some of the CTE classes got moved to the 500 building so all of the departments could be together,” Davis said.  “The CTE classes got moved there so they could have lab space.”

High school is the main time when people drop out of school, especially their junior and senior year.

“If students left CHS, the 500 building would be used to support CTE,” Davis said.  “We want to effectively use our spaces for students and staff. The 500 building gives us options.”

Having the building open would not cost the school any more money.  

“The facilities have been monitored and taken care of over the years,” Davis said.