Prairie Lakes, OCC are alternates if Des Plaines school can't go

If Algonquin Middle School isn't ready to go Aug. 23, students will be bused to Prairie Lakes Community Center on Thacker Street, District 62 officials have decided.

Some students will attend classes there, while other students may be bused from Prairie Lakes to Oakton Community College for classes.

The third alternative site, the Maryville Academy campus in Des Plaines, is no longer an option as a temporary home because the campus is too spread out, said District 62 Superintendent Jane Westerhold.

District 62 put out a call for emergency sites a few weeks ago, after the three-week laborer's strike put construction at Algonquin Middle School well behind schedule. Algonquin has about 700 students.

Maryville stepped up, and so did the Prairie Lakes Community Center and Oakton Community College.

Now, however, District 62 has determined its backup plan involves only Prairie Lakes and Oakton, "although we appreciate the offer from Maryville," Westerhold added.

Prairie Lakes, a Des Plaines Park District facility, told District 62 it could handle about 500 students. OCC thought it could handle about 300.

"Our anticipation is that all students would arrive and depart from Prairie Lakes," Westerhold said. "We may end up having some students bused to Oakton during the day."

The verdict may come on or before Aug. 18, when the Regional Office of Education is expected to inspect and approve all District 62 school sites under construction for occupancy.

District 62 is holding out hope that Algonquin itself will be ready for use on Aug. 23, the first day of classes in Des Plaines.

The strike in July delayed construction at Algonquin, Chippewa, Forest and Cumberland schools, threatening their on-time openings. The other three schools are apparently in the clear for opening Aug. 23.