Dist. 220 parents say no to Grove addition
Before the Barrington Area Unit District 220 school board decides on a new home for its early childhood program, some area parents want to make sure the move doesn't come at the expense of other students.
About two dozen parents from Grove Elementary in Barrington spoke out to the board against the possible relocation to Grove of the state-mandated program for "at-risk" 3- to 5-year-olds.
While board members haven't made a final decision, they've talked in the past about moving all or part of the program to Grove, where an addition would be built. The early childhood students now attend Woodland School in Carpentersville.
Grove parents told the board they're concerned that building an addition for the early childhood program would cost the school its playground and outdoor fields.
"Taking away our children's playground is not the answer to this tough decision," said parent Mary Lutz.
Parent Dan Laterno said an addition could reduce the space the school uses to host soccer and football games.
"It is going to cut off how many people can participate in sports leagues because we are running out of space for them to play," Laterno said.
Parents also expressed concerns over additional traffic the neighborhood school would attract with the early childhood program placed there.
School board President Brian Battle said the board is still considering all of its options for the program.
"The board is anxious to try and come up with a decision on this," Battle said. "We are trying to be creative, and we are looking at as many solutions as possible."
The board has been looking to relocate the program because of conditions at Woodland.
It doesn't comply with the current Americans with Disabilities Act, has poor ventilation and no air-conditioning, has bathroom facilities that are not sized appropriately for preschoolers and has electrical problems that cannot be fixed without disturbing asbestos, officials have said.
Mary Greco, a Woodland speech-language pathologist, said now that school is back in session, students have had to deal with extreme heat issues, flooding and numerous leaks.
Greco asked the board to choose a location, so that by this time next year, the students can be in a more conducive learning environment.
"Please make your decision soon," Greco told the board.
Woodland PTO President Jennifer Garrels said she understands the Grove parents concerns, but she doesn't know what choices are left.
"Unfortunately, the failure of the past referendums has not left the school board with many options," Garrels said.
Voters twice over the past two years rejected plans to move the early childhood program to the Health World Children's Museum in Barrington.