The school received a large grant from the Illinois State Board of Education to add on more classrooms and a new library. The controversy occurred mostly because of the timing of the addition. The addition was being built at a time when the school was struggling financially and was forced to make cuts in both faculty and classes. Enrollment was also declining so an addition did not seem practical. Many students and faculty members were frustrated that the funds were being put toward the addition instead of keeping teachers and classes. However, there was nothing the school board could do about it, because the State Board had allotted the funds solely for the purpose of building expansion.