Schools Call For Help Lewis & Clark Isn’t The Only School In Need Of Repair; Many Others Would Benefit From Bond
Ferris High School Principal Jon Bentz had a lively morning last Thursday.
He was battling that darned Phantom of the Auditorium again.
No sooner had he trekked across the slushy campus from the auditorium than a student timidly peeked a head into his office.
“Um, Mr. Bentz?” he said. “The lights are out again.”
Ferris’ auditorium is in constant demand. At 901 seats, it’s one of the district’s biggest. If the school’s choir or band or drama classes aren’t using it, chances are a community group is there.
But so is the Phantom, a “ghost” that staff members like to say has haunted the room for more than a decade, causing speakers to crackle and lights to flicker.
The real culprits - 35-year-old lighting and sound systems - are among the planned improvements to South Side schools if a proposed bond issue passes.
On Feb. 3, District 81 will ask voters to approve a $74.5 million bond. While the lion’s share of the money would go toward districtwide technology upgrades and the renovation of Lewis and Clark High School, several million would be earmarked for other South Side projects, including a new wing at Wilson Elementary and a campus expansion for Adams Elementary.
Ferris, the city’s southern-most high school, would be among the biggest recipients. About $252,000 would go toward new equipment for the Ferris auditorium.
In addition, the school’s eight-classroom science building would receive about a quarter of the $1.48 million set aside to renovate science classrooms in four district high schools.
Ferris science teachers would get a big say in how the money is spent. They echo one another’s wish lists: more versatile classroom space, better technology, improved safety.
“The ability to do labs in here in groups would be valuable,” said chemistry teacher Chris Cochrane.
Currently the school’s science classrooms are arranged with the teaching station at the front, overlooking rows of bolted-down lab stations.
Teachers say they’d like to move the heavy black tables to the perimeters of each room and place movable desks in the center instead.
They’d like more sinks for wet labs, hood vents to pull fumes out of the rooms and safety showers in every room.
Chemistry teacher Cinda Parton is pulling for technology. She’d like to order equipment that would give students more immediate data about their experiments, such as temperature and pH levels.
All the teachers would like to see a computer lab devoted to science students, or at least more computer access.
If the bond issue passes, the science improvements would begin almost immediately, said district planning director Ned Hammond.
“The tack with a lot of these projects is, time is money,” he said. “We’d be hoping to get these labs done this summer.”
Wilson Elementary hasn’t seen such speediness.
When the school’s eastern wing burned in 1973 when a student lighted a fire in a garbage can, an annex was placed behind the school as a “temporary fix.”
It’s still there.
The annex houses first- and second-graders as well as the school’s learning center. Its walls are covered in water marks, and the ceiling fasteners started giving out about 10 years ago.
About $1.3 million of the bond would help fund its replacement. The district would rebuild the burned wing, restoring the original 1927 design of the school.
The wing would add several new classrooms as well as a music room to replace the 12-by-40-foot trailer that Wilson’s young singers currently call home.
In addition, Wilson, along with Pratt Elementary, would be included in a $700,000 library renovation project.
In both schools, the libraries would be nearly doubled in size to allow for a bigger inventory of books and computers.
“Libraries aren’t just libraries anymore,” said Wilson Principal Janet Gores. “They’re kind of media centers.”
District officials say Adams Elementary needs more space, too, but not in the library. Set on less than four acres, the school site is among the district’s smallest.
“Anytime you have a school on a small piece of land, it’s pretty difficult,” said Hammond. “There isn’t even room for a softball field.”
About $100,000 would go toward expanding the campus, locked in by busy Regal and 37th streets. Hammond said the district would purchase the lot at the east end of the school, where one house currently stands.
Plans for the use of new land would be up to the school, he said. Staff and parents have mentioned expanding the playground or adding more parking.
Hammond said the district is waiting to see if the bond passes before developing more complete plans for the anticipated projects.
In the meantime, the Phantom still haunts Ferris, and Wilson’s stuffy music room is elbow-to-elbow.
“All we can do is urge people to vote,” said Principal Bentz. “That and hope the weather’s good Feb. 3.”
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo Graphic: Proposed Wilson School improvements
MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Measure would aid South Side schools By Amy Scribner Staff writer
Here is a quick look at the South Side projects slated for improvement if the District 81 bond issue is approved. High school science renovations - $1,482,900. Would fund science lab renovations at Ferris High School. This money would be split among Ferris, North Central, Rogers and Shadle Park high schools. Library expansions/ remodeling - $702,906. Would remodel and expand libraries at Pratt and Wilson elementary schools, and Madison Elementary on the North Side. Wilson addition - $1,282,932. Would add a new wing to Wilson Elementary, replacing a temporary annex. Site improvements/expansion - $5,001,935. Includes $100,000 to purchase lot to the east of Adams Elementary. The lot would become a new playground or additional parking. Money would also pay for expanding the Lewis and Clark campus. Ferris auditorium - $505,233. Would fund new lighting and sound equipment at Ferris. Money would be split with Shadle Park High School for similar work. Telephone/communications/ security upgrades - $3,049,120. Would upgrade telephone and Internet lines in all district schools. Conversion to instructional space - $622,352. Would convert unused shower-room space in 15 elementary schools, including Roosevelt, Sheridan and Jefferson. The space would be used for meeting rooms or a small classroom.
Here is a quick look at the South Side projects slated for improvement if the District 81 bond issue is approved. High school science renovations - $1,482,900. Would fund science lab renovations at Ferris High School. This money would be split among Ferris, North Central, Rogers and Shadle Park high schools. Library expansions/ remodeling - $702,906. Would remodel and expand libraries at Pratt and Wilson elementary schools, and Madison Elementary on the North Side. Wilson addition - $1,282,932. Would add a new wing to Wilson Elementary, replacing a temporary annex. Site improvements/expansion - $5,001,935. Includes $100,000 to purchase lot to the east of Adams Elementary. The lot would become a new playground or additional parking. Money would also pay for expanding the Lewis and Clark campus. Ferris auditorium - $505,233. Would fund new lighting and sound equipment at Ferris. Money would be split with Shadle Park High School for similar work. Telephone/communications/ security upgrades - $3,049,120. Would upgrade telephone and Internet lines in all district schools. Conversion to instructional space - $622,352. Would convert unused shower-room space in 15 elementary schools, including Roosevelt, Sheridan and Jefferson. The space would be used for meeting rooms or a small classroom.