Overcrowding, safety among concerns for Freeman schools

Schools in the Freeman School District are in urgent need of repairs.

“We need to do something and do it quickly,” Superintendent Sergio Hernandez last week told a special community work study session in the Freeman High school multipurpose room.

“The reality, in my opinion, is the infrastructure is collapsing,” Hernandez said, referring to the condition of Freeman’s three elementary, middle and high school buildings.

Hernandez’s comments echoed community input received during three meetings held in late October. David Huotari from ALSC Architects presented a summary of those findings during the special session.

The community meetings are one part of a formal process to determine the scope of work needing to be done. Once determined, the next step is to package the project into a bond campaign tentatively scheduled for spring.

A school bond has come before voters three times in the last five years. Each failed to received the required 60 percent super-majority approval.

Next spring may be good timing for the district’s bond issue. In December 2008, the middle school bond will come off the books, assessed at $1.04 per $1,000 of valuation.

In August, the district began a state-funded study and survey that analyzed the overall condition of school facilities. “We are in the transition spot right now,” Huotari said in an interview before the meeting. “This is the end of the study and survey and the beginning of the bond campaign process. We are going to summarize the last three meetings and narrow it down to something the school board could act on.”

Huotari’s presentation outlined the safety, building and infrastructure systems, and educational program improvements that the community identified. He also discussed the specific needs for each of the Freeman schools.

The safety improvements identified included pedestrian crossings on Jackson Street, emergency vehicle access, and single entry with multiple exits at each school.

Community input identified building system improvements such as updating the plumbing, insulation, heating, electrical and data capabilities. The roofs on all three buildings require repair, with leaks reported in all three facilities.

Improvements associated with a growing education program are hindered by overcrowding in all three schools. Portable buildings are being used to accommodate the overflow.

There are 300 students enrolled at the high school. The building’s original design accommodates 150 students. Built in 1957, the building has undergone three renovations since 1977.

“As the student population grows, it’s easy to plug classrooms on,” Huotari said. “It’s difficult to make those core elements large enough, such as corridors, offices, restrooms, to handle 300 students instead of 150.”

Stephanie Watson, a Freeman High School senior, shared her insights on the issues needing attention.

“We need a new high school really bad” she said. “The biggest problem is walking down the hallways. It’s really overcrowded and not uncommon to have books tossed out of your hands.”

The elementary and middle schools are feeling the same effects of over crowding.

According to elementary Principal Lisa Phelan, paraeducators hold small group reading classes for students in either a supply closet or a 5-foot by 6-foot office.

“I encourage the community to come and visit the school during the day,” Phelan said during a phone interview. “Even if you don’t have students. Then you can see what issues we’re facing.”

Public comments explored a variety of possible solutions such as moving the football field or researching the possibility of a land swap to gain additional property.