Gifford Street students stand up to school board over water issues

Gifford Street High School students are getting used to feeling stepped on.

And getting used to speaking up about it.

Several of the alternative school's student council members approached the Elgin Area School District U-46 board Monday about a water fountain they consider a health hazard.

While school officials say they're on top of the problem, students were not informed about a fix until after the meeting.

The current fountain, student council President Kathryn Garcia said, is rusting. The water tastes like metal and it's often hard to get enough water pressure for a steady stream.

"We have to put our mouths directly on the spout," Garcia said, pointing out that the H1N1 flu can be spread that way.

Water is available in bottles at the school for $1.25, but, Garcia said, "I don't think we should be forced to buy it."

Directly beneath the school, which occupies the same building as U-46's administrative offices, is a cooled water fountain students are not allowed to use.

Signs posted on the hallway doors read "No Gifford Street students beyond this point." Students receive citations if they disobey, Garcia said.

Ricky DeLaPena, also on the student council, said sinks in the school also are bad.

"I went to wash my hands (the other day) and just rust came out," he said. "It's not anyone's fault, it's just that these pipes and these things are so old ... we need to fix it."

DeLaPena presented the board with a number of pictures of the fountain, along with a petition signed by approximately 80 students.

In a capital planning and facilities study released this summer, the school was cited as the campus in need of the most facility improvements. Besides a shoddy water fountain, the school does not have a kitchen to prepare meals.

It is not the first time Gifford students have approached the U-46 board seeking school improvements.

In 2008, students raised concerns about the prepackaged lunches they were receiving, similar to those given to elementary students.

Pregnant students attending the school's prenatal program were receiving cereal bars from the nurse's office to supplement their lunches, counselors said.

Lunches have since improved.

District Spokesman Tony Sanders said Tuesday that a new water fountain for the high school was ordered last week, and should be installed next week. Interim Director of Operations Jeff Feuerborn shared that information with students after their presentation last night, Sanders said.