Buzzing and beeping filled the air as a bell system test disrupted classes in the last 10 minutes of mod nine Wednesday.

“The students were extremely rowdy,” history teacher Jake Hollin said, referring to the period of time when the static and ringing from the intercom system made it difficult for students and teachers to concentrate.

“I can’t think to get any work done,” campus minister and religion teacher Patti Murphy-Dohn said.

She was not alone.  English teacher Dick Paaby had a guest in his class, history teacher Paul Lazor.  Paaby had to cover the intercom speaker with a bed sheet so that Lazor could continue his lecture.

“I felt annoyed because it was loud and obnoxious,” sophomore Morgan Hudak said.

The noises began when Interconnect Services ran a test of the intercom system in an attempt to fix minimal buzzing in some classrooms.

“Since we tested the system, it’s gotten worse,” Interconnect Services employee Jay Knoppinger said.

The system was unplugged after the second round of disruptive buzzing during mod 10.

“The system is dead,” said Knoppinger.  According to Knoppinger, the entire system will have to be replaced.

JC called Knoppinger during school hours because it was his first available time. Knoppinger says he “didn’t expect [the disruption] to be that bad,” and if he had, he would have waited until after school.

According to an email from Murphy-Dohn, the intercom system will not be working until Thursday afternoon.  Teachers will individually handle morning prayer and pledge, and administrators will have radios for quick communication. The administration will relay any important messages through classroom telephones.

Martha Schick can be reached for comment at [email protected].