HINSDALE – Hinsdale Middle School has faced its share of scrutiny recently regarding facility issues that included mold remediation and major roof repairs.
At the April 28 District 181 Board of Education meeting, Hinsdale Middle School teacher Kelly Sledz, who is also representing teachers on the district’s facilities committee, presented a survey to the board containing feedback from staff and administrators on an array of facility topics.
The survey asked participants to state how much they agreed or disagreed with each question or statement.
1. To what extent do you feel your building has site or facility issues?
Results: 100 percent of responders found issues with Hinsdale Middle School facilities.
By comparison, 4 percent of Clarendon Hills Middle School staff felt its school had “significant” or “very significant” issues, while 100 percent of the Hinsdale Middle School staff felt there were significant or very significant issues at the school.
2. Student learning is enhanced by the school
Results: 80 percent of those surveyed either disagreed or strongly disagreed with that statement.
“Rather than being able to do the things we know are best for kids, we are often times driven by the limited space we have to do it in,” Sledz said while reading some of the comments staff submitted with the survey statement.
Other responses from faculty stated that the school has insufficient number of classrooms, narrow halls and classroom space surrounded by noisy cafeteria, according to Sledz.
3. My school is able to successfully house educational programs for all students and their needs
Results: 82 percent of the Hinsdale Middle School staff disagreed with this statement.
“We are constantly looking for space, we are looking for space to work with students, we are looking for space to work with each other,” Sledz said, reading the comments from staff.
4. Our building is organized in terms of layout and design
Results: 96 percent disagreed with the statement.
“The cafeteria in the middle of the school is disruptive to the classrooms surrounding it, the stage is pretty much inaccessible for the majority of the day and having the gym on the third floor provides a whole set of challenges, one of which is that the second floor is often vibrating,” Sledz said according to comments. “We don’t know if we’re experiencing an earthquake or whether or not that’s just kids upstairs running.”
5. How would you characterize the amount of shared meeting and work space in your building?
Results: 79 percent of responders feel meeting and work space is less than adequate and throughout the day most classrooms are being used; therefore, it’s difficult to find an empty quiet space to meet with parents.
6. My building is equipped to handle current enrollment numbers
Results: 86 percent disagreed with the statement.
“We use every available space, every moment of the day and it still isn’t enough to accommodate testing accommodations, teachers needing work space or room for students to work on projects,” Sledz said, referencing the comments.
7. Travel distance in my building is appropriate
Results: 80 percent disagreed with the statement.
Sledz said that very teacher expressed some sort of organizational problem as a result of traveling.
There are also no public restrooms on third floor, forcing sporting events guests to go down to the second floor; additionally, the school’s elevator is also not centrally located and the nurse’s office is three floors away from the gym, where most physical activity occurs.
8. My school is safe and a secure facility
Results: 60 percent disagreed, citing the lack of standardized audible communication throughout the building, which makes it difficult to hear the bell and announcements.
“Making the best of undesirable situations has become the standard at Hinsdale Middle School,” Sledz said, reiterating one teacher’s response. “Unfortunately, over time this is not consistent with best practice and learning for all. The recent problems experienced at the school signify the concerns that staff members have been expressing for years.”