ST. JOHN | Lake Central officials bristle when the high school's new modular classrooms are called "portables," or worse, "trailers."

Each of the eight classrooms is climate controlled, has a flat-screen television and is equipped with fire alarms. The hall is monitored via security cameras.

The idea was to make the atmosphere resemble high school classrooms, said Ed Vargo, Lake Central School Corp. director of construction.

The classrooms, which were shipped separately in July, were attached on site. They are on the east side of the Freshman Center, immediately south of the field house, and are accessible through a hallway near the high school fitness center.

The rooms will debut this school year and are expected to remain for the duration of the renovations to the main high school building, which should take about five years, Vargo said.

Each room holds about 30 desks. And although there aren't any lockers, the desks have hooks to hang backpacks. The classrooms share one hallway, which has separate bathrooms for boys, girls and teachers.

The modular wing sits at ground level and is handicapped accessible. The wing is required to be at least 20 feet away from the brick and mortar building, so workers will put up fencing to enclose the area, and a canopy will be installed above the sidewalk, Vargo said.

If needed, the school can probably add more classrooms. The school corporation is leasing them from Tyson Corp., an Indianapolis-based company that manufactures and installs temporary and permanent modular buildings.

Students who don't have class in the modular wing will notice other upgrades to the school when they return this fall.

The school's "S" hallway was demolished, making room for what officials are calling "town hall." It is an open area where students can eat lunch at booths or just gather, Assistant Principal Sean Begley said.

Creating the town hall eases congestion, as the narrow "S" hall often was crowded during passing time. New bathrooms also will be ready for the start of the school year on Aug. 21, Begley said.