Before the project could move forward, the school board had to get permission from the Department of Education to demolish existing buildings. The approval came last February, but it took about eight more months for the district to commission the architect. The district wanted to let the community have a say in the project, and that caused some delay, said de la Horra. And when the project was upgraded from a renovation to a replacement, the district needed to gather $25 million.

The project - now three years in the planning - includes a new addition, a new cafeteria, media center, gym, vocational labs, auditorium and bus drop off, as well as life-safety upgrades.

The delays have frustrated Principal Friedman, who has so far seen 15 preliminary proposals. Pollack wants to see the work done so he can focus on kids again. Last fall, as he walked through a building, a teacher called out: "That roof is leaking like crazy." "I didn't know that, " Pollack said, making a note to call maintenance. Pollack passed a geometry class when a second teacher called for help: "They have no place to sit, " pointing to three students without desks. "And two are absent."

In the hallway, a third teacher stopped Pollack: "By the way, the locks, we can't get them open."

"Where?"

"The staff restrooms. You can unlock them but then you can't get the doors open." Pollack promised to call the locksmith. He gathered six desks out of an empty classroom for the geometry class and went looking for more.

He passed a math class. "I'm full in here, " the teacher said.

A second math class: "My fourth-period has 40 kids, " the teacher said. Pollack started singing, snapping his fingers to The Four Tops tune he sings whenever he's frustrated.

"Now it's the same old song . . . " Database editor Jason Grotto contributed to this report.