Fire Alarm Shows Need For Updates: Residents On D159 Referendum

MOKENA, IL — Several residents spoke to the village board about the the District 159 referendum at the board meeting on Feb. 25. Residents spoke to board members about the referendum after a fire alarm was pulled Feb. 19 at Mokena Elementary School when a staff member smelled smoke. Superintendent Don White said the smoke was coming from a failed heater in the ceiling of a girl's restroom.

A resident at the board meeting said this incident was due to the aging facilities in the district.

"From what I've seen from the district and their comments on [the fire alarm], it was something that was due to aging facilities," she said. "I think this is something that everyone needs to be aware of."

Resident Jim Sigel said he seconded what the first resident had to say, adding that he encouraged everyone to reach out to the district superintendent and neighbors for information on the referendum.

The referendum is to increase the limiting rate for operating purposes. If successful, the funds would help make security upgrades, repair failing systems and make other improvements, according to the district.

In a letter to parents about the incident, the district shared that all students and staff responded as they have been trained and evacuated the building.

"It is also comforting to share that the Mokena Fire Protection District was on site within just a few minutes and worked very closely with us to make sure the school was safe," the district said in the letter.

The district also held a debriefing meeting on Feb. 22 to discuss how to improve response to this type of incident. The evacuation was complicated by the end of the school day and the cold weather. The district wrote about several ways they could improve the response including: improving communication tools, streamlined communications to parents, and having an efficient student check-out process.