The School Committee on Wednesday OK'd the construction of a second, small workspace for teachers in an upstairs hallway at Wareham High School.

Principal Scott Palladino explained that the project involves building walls in a cooridor on the second floor of the school, in the math and science wing. The room will serve as a workstation for teachers and be outfitted with a copier, phone, and other necessities.

The school built such a workstation last summer in the English and history wing, and Palladino said the room was very appreciated by teachers, whose classrooms are not often available for quiet time.

Though the school must put out a request bids from contractors for the work, Palladino said he didn't anticipate the project costing more than $2,500, which is about what the last project totaled. The money will be paid from the school's maintenance fund.

The project is a way to maximize the school's limited space, Palladino said.

"It's an area where students continue to congregate" between classes, he added, "and it's just a waste of space."

School Committee members were supportive of the idea, and ultimately voted unanimously in approval.

But member Geoff Swett said his "yes" vote was in "great reluctance," as the area being closed off to students blocks the large, round windows important both for letting light in and to the architecture of the school.

"The light, the architecture ... I'm sure someone built that with great pride and we are eliminating that," he said.

Nicole Russo, the newly appointed student representative to the School Committee, understood Swett's concerns, but was also supportive of the project.

"I like the windows," she said, "but if it makes more use of the space ... I think it makes sense."

School Committee member Kenneth Fontes pointed out, with a chuckle: "Remember, we're closing a window, but opening new doors."