26 Portable classrooms—a short-term fix
Portables help D41 maintain class sizes and provide classroom space for music and art. Other programs—social services, remedial, gifted, physical therapy and special education services—are provided in whatever space can be carved out in hallways, closets, libraries and lunchrooms. Even with the space relief portables provide, facilities remain strained: core areas like libraries and gyms are crowded and vehicular traffic overwhelms small sites meant to accommodate fewer students. The schools were never designed to accommodate the combination of classroom, small-group and individual instruction and services required to comply with state mandates and meet the needs of today's diverse student body.

The Facilities Task Force Recommendation
• Build a new district-wide school. D41 would have one 5/6 school and one 7/8 junior high school. Currently we have one district-wide school, a 6-8 junior high.
• Convert the four elementary schools to K-4 schools and renovate them to accommodate program needs.

The Task Force was a stakeholder group of about 30 parents and staff members representing all five schools. After studying facility needs, reviewing public input and visiting area fifth/sixth-grade schools, the Task Force recommended a district-wide 5/6 school as an educationally sound, equitable solution that would provide an excellent grouping of grade levels and a developmentally appropriate environment at all levels. The Task Force used the 5-acre former Spalding School site on the north side of the district as a test fit. The Spalding site is small and D41 is looking for alternatives. It plans to hold public meetings to prioritize site options. All meeting dates are posted on www.d41.org and publicized in local media.


Facilities FAQ---

Q. Why does D41 need more space?
There are two reasons: growing enrollment and program needs. Since 1998, enrollment has grown by 396 students, exceeding the capacity of our school buildings—a recent demographic study projects another 300 students or more by 2011. Between 500-600 students will be housed in portables next year. In addition, our buildings were not designed for many of the programs now needed to serve an increasingly diverse student body. Some students receive instruction and services (like physical therapy, counseling, remediation and language instruction) in inappropriate spaces such as closets, hallways, and converted offices.

Q. How accurate are those projections?
Projections are estimates based on the best information available. Our most recent projections were done in November, 2004. The demographers looked at census data, local trends such as tear-downs, and development plans for the five communities we serve. The further out in time you go, the less reliable the predictions.

Q. What is causing enrollment to increase?
There are four main reasons: desirability of the D41 area, which attracts and retains many young families; intergenerational turnover in which empty nesters sell to young families; transfers from private schools; and changes in D41’s socioeconomics.

Q. What’s wrong with using portables?
Portables are well-equipped and comfortable, but they do not solve crowded libraries, gyms, hallways and parking; nor do they get programs for kids out of inappropriate spaces.

Q. Why do the existing schools need renovations?
The buildings were not designed for the way schools work today. Schools need flexible space that can accommodate groups of varying sizes and needs as well as incorporate modern technology.

Q. Why would a referendum be needed to fund a new school?
District 41 gets more than 90% of its revenues from property taxes. The Tax Cap law limits school district tax requests to a small amount beyond the dollars they received the year before. If school districts need more money than that, they must ask permission from the voters via referendum. So basically, the law says you can have a little more each year for inflation...beyond that no, unless you ask the voters.

Q. Didn’t we pass a referendum in recent years?
A 1997 building referendum funded additions and renovations to all the schools. An Ed Fund referendum in 2001 paid for hiring additional staff to provide more programs. A 2006 building referendum would be used to build a new school. The BOE has stressed its commitment to finding an affordable way to provide new space and renovate existing space.