Orland School District 135 hired an architect Monday to draft plans for a full-day kindergarten center, but the district will also pay another firm to take a second look at whether all four grade schools could handle the program.
The current plan calls for renovation and expansion of Park School to accommodate the 10 additional kindergarten classrooms expected to be needed when all-day instruction launches in fall 2016.
Projections for that plan were done in consultation with Chicago-based FGM Architects, the same firm hired Monday to design the Park revamp for 7.75 percent of the expected $4 million cost, or $310,000.
“After talking to the board members, I went and asked (Superintendent Janet) Stutz that we do an independent space utilization analysis by an independent architect, not one that has a financial interest in doing work for us,” board President Joe La Margo said. “We believe, since there is such a large amount of money being spent, that we should just take one more look at our existing space with an independent architect.”
Chicago-based StudioGC will be paid $15,000 to examine whether Park, Center, Centennial and Prairie schools all could handle full-day kindergarten with some renovation. Board members said the study may simply confirm that a single site is the best option.
“This is telling parents we’ve turned over every stone and it’s got to be a kindergarten center,” board member Michael Carroll said of that possible outcome.
Board members also approved a long-debated nepotism policy, signed off on keeping student fees flat next year and accepted the June 30 resignation of Special Education Director Ellen Beloti.
“She’s always professional and charming and so positive about our students,” board member Laura Berry said of Belotti. “You will be missed.”
Belotti, who has been with District 135 for four years after being hired under a previous superintendent, is leaving to become special education director of Crete-Monee School District 201-U. She said she is excited to take on the new challenge of serving high school students.
Meanwhile, District 135’s new nepotism policy allows board members to review application packets if a job search draws a relative or household member of a district employee. The board will not get involved until after an initial applicant pool had been winnowed but can inquire before finalists are chosen.
Another newly approved policy stipulates that footage from the district’s new security cameras could be used in staff disciplinary proceedings but not job performance evaluations. And the board signed off on Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin’s effort to create a bullying-free community.
Also, a $156,000 purchase of Apple laptops for teachers in 3rd through 5th grades won approval, with a $800,000 purchase of student iPads and laptops on tap for next month’s meeting.
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“The budget can sustain that,” said Dan Doogan, technology director. District 135 last year launched a plan to equip every student with a take-home computer by 2016.