'Our goal is to have work at Algonquin completed'

This letter was sent Thursday to Algonquin Middle School parents and staff:

As indicated in an email communication sent to Des Plaines Community Consolidated School District 62 families and staff earlier this week, five of our 11 schools are experiencing varying levels of facility improvements designed to enhance the academic environment, increase energy efficiency and accommodate specific life-safety guidelines.

Today, I am writing to provide you with some specific information about the status of construction projects at Algonquin Middle School and to clear up any confusion that may have resulted from recent media coverage of this matter.

Prior to a recent strike by the Chicago Laborers District Council and Local 150 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, District 62 construction projects were scheduled for completion prior to the start of the 2010-2011 school year. While the strike was settled yesterday, the three-week work stoppage impacted almost all construction jobs throughout the Chicagoland area. During this time, work on Algonquin Middle School summer construction projects was placed on hold. As reported, work recommenced on Tuesday, July 20 and is proceeding with intensity. We are currently evaluating progress to date and prioritizing the work yet to be completed. We anticipate that construction crews will soon begin working seven days a week with multiple shifts to expedite the completion of the remaining construction work at Algonquin Middle School.

Here are some important things you should know:

• Classes for the 2010-2011 school year will begin as scheduled on Monday, Aug. 23.

•The District is working closely with its architect and construction management firm, Wight & Company, to develop and implement a construction timeline.

Our goal is to have work at Algonquin completed and secure the necessary occupancy permits and approvals necessary for all students and staff to return to the building as scheduled on August 23. However, the 17-day construction delay will be challenging to overcome.

Therefore, we are actively involved in contingency planning that includes restricting access to certain portions of the building where construction is ongoing and utilizing other sections of the building where work has been completed. Of course, our top priority will be to ensure the safety and integrity of the academic environment for both students and staff, and we will take all necessary precautions in this regard.

Our contingency planning also includes the identification of potential alternative learning sites for some or all Algonquin Middle School students should the building not be approved for instructional use by August 23. We will strive to minimize the number of students and staff impacted by this potential disruption.

As reported in the media, we have cast a wide net and have been contacted by and explored a number of potential venues. We will consider only those sites that can be adapted for a quality educational experience. Our criteria will include safety, appropriateness and ability to be adapted to support teaching and learning, and proximity to Algonquin Middle School.

For example, one option might be the Des Plaines Park District's Prairie Lakes Complex, which is located very close to Algonquin Middle School. This site could be available for District 62's instructional use during a two-week period between programming.

Should an alternate site be required, construction on Algonquin Middle School will continue at an accelerated pace with the goal of returning students and staff to this facility at the earliest possible date when safety can be ensured.

Clearly, we are committed to providing all students the high-quality education families have come to expect of our District. We are currently making plans to collaborate with faculty and staff members to ensure that we maintain the integrity of the District's curriculum standards throughout this process. Some field trips and guest speakers may be incorporated as appropriate, but full instructional activity will continue as planned.

The District 62 Board of Education and Administration are committed to ongoing direct, proactive, timely and consistent communications with families, staff and the community as we work to resolve this issue. As we further refine our plans, updates will be posted on the District 62 website at www.d62.org and on Twitter at @D62Supt. We anticipate that another parent communication on this document will be delivered via email and posted online later next week.

We are looking forward to the 2010-2011 school year and to your continued support of Des Plaines Community Consolidated School District 62!

Sincerely,

Dr. Jane L. Westerhold, Superintendent of Schools

John Swanson, Principal, Algonquin Middle School