Renovate or Rebuild Western Springs Schools?

I’ve noticed the “Celebrating 50 years of Excellence” stone at Forest Hills a number of times.  We tend to view those anniversary milestones as a positive thing.

A recent weekly principal’s update let me know that lockers will be installed in our elementary school over the summer. I see it as a positive.  I think the cubbies have seen their day.

The coatrooms weren’t built for the kind of gear kids bring to school today. I have my fingers crossed that this change will also reduce the transmission of head lice that just don’t seem to quit.

It did get me thinking about the age of the school buildings in the District.  The Western Springs Historical Society has an interesting page on schools in Western Springs. It confirmed that no school buildings have been constructed since 1953.

Last summer, renovations were going on at some of the schools to make them more handicapped accessible.

I think the school district is in a challenging position. At some point doing updates may not meet the need for change. I’m not in a position to predict when that will be.

Community members and the school board are supportive of making education a priority here in town.  Things do seem to get dicey when changes need some additional financing.  People naturally don’t want their own taxes raised.

 Things could get more difficult as the economic growth experienced in Western Springs over the past 10 plus years has certainly slowed. It’s unclear if we will regain that momentum again.

The changes that are made seem to be done with thought and consideration.  At the very least we need to brace ourselves for expenses that may grow in light of the age of the school buildings.

A room with a chalkboard isn’t enough anymore.