Cyndi Loza

There are various upgrades an older school needs, but Wooster High School principal Debra Biersdorff is focused on improvements that affect the classroom.

“What we try to focus on here is what the teachers need in the classroom and what the students need to help them graduate on time from Wooster,” said Biersdorff about the school at 1331 E. Plumb Lane.

Among the needed improvements Biersdorff noted was modernizing the school’s technology infrastructure. She said the school is not set up to handle more electrical power and, if overloaded, the school can experience power outages that affect Internet and phone access.

Last winter, the school had three power outages.

“We’re just restrained a little by just the (amount of) power our building can handle,” Biersdorff said.

School officials also are mindful of the asbestos in the campus’ walls, Biersdorff said.

“Some things that might be able to improve the classroom we might not be able to do because of the asbestos in the room,” Biersdorff said.

Wooster also deals with problems other older campuses have, such as heating and cooling efficiency problems because of ineffective insulation.

The principal said students and faculty try to maintain a presentable campus for the community and visitors going to and from the nearby Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

“We’re really aware of the fact that we are so visible,” she said. “So, we’re always working hard to maintain the facility for our students, teachers and parents, and the community as well.”

About 38 percent of Wooster students are on the district’s free or reduced lunch program.

The schools’ ethnic breakdown is 2.4 percent American Indian; 3.5 percent black; 9.4 percent Asian; 38.2 percent white; 46.5 percent Hispanic.

At a glance

Wooster High School

• Address: 1331 E. Plumb Lane
• Phone: 333-5100
• Opened: 1962
• Enrollment: 1,645
• Capacity: 1,800
• Mascot: Colts
• School Colors: Red and white
• Fun Fact: Wooster is the only school in the district with an International Baccalaureate program.