Dist. 57 should act on data it received
To the editor: Make it a happy new year! The District 57 Facilities Review Committee results are in: the recommendation is, "Transition all first grade classes to Westbrook School for the 2008/2009 school year and do it at a zero dollar capital cost."
That's right! According to the FRC it will cost $0 in capital costs to take this action, which will relieve overcrowding at the other two elementary schools, Fairview and Lions Park.
This action will also finally return Fairview and Lions Park to their original configuration and instead of having children educated in makeshift classrooms -- closets, hallways and common areas -- provide students a little breathing room.
Overcrowding has been an issue in District 57 for over a decade. However, after four months of meetings -- at the request of the Board of Education -- the FRC has given their recommendation. It's time for the board to do theirs and take action.
The FRC reaffirmed what we already knew from two other reports requested by the board previously, the 2000 CAP (Community Advisory Project) Report and the 2002 Facilities Task Force Report. How many more reports or committees that all say the same thing does the board need before they take action?
There are some members of the board who once again wish to put off this action while several classrooms sit empty and ready at Westbrook School.
Some members prefer the status quo. This is a disservice to our students and their educational development. Inaction cannot and should not be an option.
The board's own committee came up with this recommendation -- accept it and move us forward. There is a special board meeting to discuss this today at 7:30 p.m. at Lincoln Middle School; I encourage all District 57 parents to attend.
As the New Year begins and we find ourselves making and keeping our resolutions, we should resolve ourselves to hold the District 57 Board of Education accountable to make this decision before kindergarten registration at the end of this month.
Parents have the right to know where their students will be going to school next year.
Brian J. McPartlin
Mount Prospect