A study of educational needs of Medinah Elementary School District 11

Includes bibliographical references.A change of administration in the summer of 1962 at Medinah Elementary School District 11 brought forth many problems. One problem that came into focus was the lack of a co-ordinated long range plan for the orderly development of the school program. This survey attempts to bring together the best of educational theory and facts to provide a comprehensive plan. A citizens committee was formed in January of 1963 to explore the areas of (a) the community and its people, (b) the educational program, (c) buildings and sites, and (d) finances. The following conclusions were reached: 1. Medinah is a typical suburban residential community with a low tax base. The district would fare much better if sources of revenue other than property were available. 2. Enrollment is increasing at a rapid though steady rate, The district should expect 1163 students ten years from now and an eventual enrollment of 2260 students. 3. Curriculum is traditional with greatest support of the populace given to enrichment of basic subjects. 4. Comparison of enrollment projections and space available mandates immediate action. Securing a site and preparing plans for additional space should be made in the near future. 5. The financial condition of the district is such that monies are available for the erections and staffing of such facilities subject to the willingness of the residents to do so. Taxes are always considered high, but Medinah's rates are modest in comparison to other districts. The committee evolved the following recommendations: 1. The South School should have the landscaping finished. A few plantings would improve the appearance of the site tremendously with small additional cost. 2. Public relations represents a weak point between the school and the community. Initial co-operation as achieved in this study should be continued and expanded. 3. A current accurate census and pin map should be kept and available for reference. This is time consuming but is invaluable in determining interschool boundaries, equalizing class loads, and selecting new building locations. 4. The Board of Education should be constantly vigilant to sudden, unforeseen events that would change long range plans. A complete new survey should be undertaken in 1967 to amend, correct, and project another ten years into the future. This timing is important in that it would be after initial expansion and before the next phase of expansions. 5. Effort should be intensified by the Board of Education to provide a larger variety and quantity of teaching aids and materials which will allow far creative teaching and which will motivate learning. 6. Curriculum changes should be Instituted in line with opinion poll and subcommittee observations. These are the recommendations suggested: a. Place great emphasis on the basic subjects. b. Grade school athletics should be limited to physical fitness and intramural sports. c. A remedial teacher is needed. d. Educational TV should be used to supplement present learning programs. e. A special program for the intellectually gifted should be instituted. f. Equalization of administrative load is necessary to obtain adequate classroom supervision. g. Secretarial help should be adequate and equalized in both buildings. h. The salary schedule should be high enough to attract and retain excellent teachers. i. Curriculum guides of the type designed for language arts should be prepared in all areas. j. Community resources should be more fully utilized by many teachers. k. Equipment and supplies are generally short in all areas. Funds should be made available to improve this weakness in the next few years. l. A more comprehensive testing program is needed. m. Special services should be expanded. 7. Steps should be taken immediately to secure options for a site(s) upon which to build additional facilities. Adequate time for planning and construction would be available if the referendum were held during the 1963-64 school year with occupancy slated for fall of 1965. The building could be either two buildings of 6-7 rooms or one of 11-13 rooms. Details of possible sites are given in the report. 8. Deficit in the educational fund will increase in size in the near future. An increase in the educational tax rate will be necessary.C.A.S. (Certificate of Advanced Study