by Hank Brockett
7/13/01
On Wednesday, administrators outlined for the school board a far-reaching facilities plan that could ease crowding and shake up all corners of the current system, including 10 different schools by August 2004.The plan calls for the elimination of all modular units in the district, the addition of two new schools, the sale of possibly six schools, and additions to six other schools -- all within the conservative estimate of three years.
"Three years from tonight, we will be celebrating the large amount of work done in a short period of time," said Carol Sossong, curriculum coordinator.
The plan comes on the heels of the announcement of a 10-year plan earlier this year and last month's announcement that Joliet received a $16.2 million grant to build two elementary schools, the first new elementary schools in more than 30 years.
Construction on the multitude of projects should take two years, with a likely groundbreaking in 2002 -- with hopes springing earlier, said Troy Whalen, assistant superintendent of business.
"I'm still hoping for groundbreaking in the fall," he said, but that will depend on working with designers.
The outlined timetables are "very conservative" estimates, Whalen said.
Jeff Allen, president of the school board, said the removal of the modular units is something he was glad to hear.
"I think it is very encouraging to know we are following through with using modulars as a temporary structure," he said.
Highlights of the plan include:
* Turning Dirksen School, 203 S. Midland Ave., into a "campus site," with an elementary school to accommodate Dirksen and Marycrest kindergarten through fifth-grade students;
* Turning Marycrest, 303 Purdue Court, into a pre-kindergarten site, consolidating the various citywide programs into that school;
* Building a new 900-population school in the Lincoln area;
* Building additions to Pershing, Hufford, Cunningham, Farragut, Keith and Woodland;
* Reclaiming Sandburg, 1100 Lilac Lane, as a regular public school, moving the alternative school to Thompson, 1020 Rowell Ave.; and
* Selling Marshall, 319 Harwood St.; Reedswood, 311 S. Reed St.; and Raynor Park, 1301 Hosmer St.; plus determining the use of Lincoln and Parks facilities until a possible point of sale.
The first step for the plan starts this August, when Eisenhower Academy extends its reach with a sixth grade housed in Washington Junior High School.
Eisenhower uses an accelerated curriculum and mandatory parent participation to help accelerated learners.
Previously, students would attend through fifth grade and then end up in a similar program at Hufford or private schools.
Kathy Jursinic, principal at Eisenhower, said there are 60 students enrolled in the inaugural program, with 40 former students and 20 new to the game.
She will commute between both schools to help the program get on its feet, not an easy task.
"It's been a lot of hard work, but it's a good feeling," she said.
Evaluations will take place throughout the year to gauge effectiveness.
The next steps in the Eisenhower evolution are a seventh grade in 2002 and eight grade in 2003, both also at Washington.
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