Story posted Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Keep First Graders At Westbrook
By RICHARD MAYER Assistant Managing Editor
Beginning next school year, all Mt. Prospect Elementary School Dist. 57 first graders will be housed at Westbrook School to alleviate overcrowding at Fairview and Lions Park schools.
The board of education voted 6-0 at last Thursday's regular school board meeting to keep kindergartners at Westbrook the following year for first grade in addition to modifying school bus routes and school hours district-wide.
Board member Michael Withey abstained from voting because although he was in favor of relieving congestion at the two elementary schools, he believes the expenses associated with the move is not needed at this time.
"A lot of time went into this recommendation and we need a long-term solution to our housing problem," said Withey. "But with current economic conditions, raising revenue is going to be impossible. If we can't cut costs we will need to eliminate programs. I feel it's not time to make a decision to move. The move should be more in line with our long term planning."
Start/dismissal times will be as follows:
* The bus route for Lincoln Middle School will start at 7:15 a.m. with school beginning at 7:45 a.m. School will be let out at 2:49 p.m. and the route will end at 3:20 p.m. Currently, the bus route begins at 7:25 a.m. with school beginning at 7:55 a.m. School ends at 2:59 p.m. and the bus route is completed at 3:35 p.m.
* Bus routes for Fairview and Lions Park will start at 8:20 a.m. with school beginning at 8:50 a.m. School will be let out at 3:20 p.m. and the route will end at 3:50 p.m. Currently, the bus route begins at 8:30 a.m. with school beginning at 9:05 a.m. School ends at 3:20 p.m. and the bus route is completed at 3:50 p.m.
* The bus route for Westbrook School will start at 8:50 a.m. with school beginning at 9:20 a.m. The morning class will be dismissed at 11:50 a.m. The afternoon route will begin at 12:50 p.m. with school starting at 1:20 p.m. with the bus route ending at 12:20 p.m. The afternoon class will let out at 3:50 p.m. and the route will end at 4:20 p.m. Currently, the bus route begins at 8 a.m. with the morning class beginning at 8:30 a.m. and dismissing at 11 a.m. The afternoon class begins at noon and ends at 2:30 p.m. with bus route is completing at 3 p.m.
"We looked at moving times with the current transportation fleet, but the kids at Fairview and Lions would be on the bus for an extra 15-20 minutes and that's just not acceptable," said Supt. Elaine Aumiller.
Aumiller said board members and staff explored increasing the number of buses to keep the times where they are now, but the district would need six additional buses for the afternoon only and that would cost between $130,000-$160,000 annually.
"It's cost prohibitive whether we take it from a vendor or lease it and it's just not a viable option," said Aumiller.
However, the district will spend $1.4 million this summer to renovate the school and bring supplies over from Fairview and Lions Park.
"The renovations need to occur with first graders at Westbrook or not," said Aumiller. "This was not an easy recommendation but it's the most logical and fiscally responsible." Some of the renovations will include chalkboard replacements ($130,000), remodeling the teacher's lounge ($140,000), remodeling restrooms ($252,000), and adding two small group instructional rooms ($120,000).
If the board decided not to move first graders to Westbrook, renovations would have still occurred, the board said, but conducted in steps, with the first portion costing about $600,000. Approximately 40 parents and community members attended the meeting with some of them voicing concerns and discontent with the new times. Parent David Trace said the new times would be difficult for his wife who stays at home and takes care of their three children.
"This will be a burden on her," he said. "For first graders to be in school until 3:50 is ridiculous and unheard of. And keeping them on the bus until after 4:15 when it's dark is unsafe. I am totally opposed and there are other alternatives for transportation."
Another parent said this decision is forcing her to look into Catholic education for her kids because a 9:20 a.m. start time at Westbrook does not work for her family.
"The status quo is no longer an option," said board member Sann Knipple. "If we don't move, we will spend money on mobiles with a half empty building."
"The time has come for us to do something and we need to use the space to educate our students," said board member Karen Nejdl.
"The number one priority is to do what's right for the kids," said board President Joseph Leane. "We have been struggling with this issue since 2000 and now Fairview is at 96% capacity and Lions is over capacity. If we do nothing, overcrowding will get worse."
Leane added more specific details on class sizes. Other components relating to this issue will be worked out in the months to come before the beginning of the next school year.
Westbrook has housed only pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students since 2006-07.
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