When it comes to the overcrowding issue at Clarendon Hills Middle School, staff members want a solution — now.

At Monday’s School Board meeting, Superintendent James Tenbusch said after talking with staff he believes the Community Consolidated School District 181 needs to move forward in providing at least some temporary relief to a situation that is becoming unbearable.

“I want to be a listener, I want to be responsive, I want to react to the needs of the district,” Tenbusch told board members. “I was not aware that it had reached the crisis-mode that it has. But you have before you a list of items that comes directly from the staff that is telling me, that is telling you, that we need to do something this year right away to relieve the overcrowding situation.”

Tenbusch said there is support for his magnet school program as a voluntary means to achieve enrollment parity long-term, but staff recommends a stop-gap measure to be put in place this year to relief cramped space.

Tenbusch has proposed installing a four- or six-classroom portable unit while work continues to find a permanent solution to overcrowding. He emphasized the trailer will be “extremely” temporary.

One of the challenges, however, is finding a home for the trailer. Besides the parking lot in the front of the building, the land surrounding CHMS is owned by the Clarendon Hills Park District.

“I’m fine with pursuing the idea of these portable classrooms, but I think putting them in front of the building is an eyesore. ... I think that should be our last resort,” said board member Mary Beth Tamm.

The district will seek bids while staff investigates whether it would be possible to lease Park District property.

CHMS Principal Griffin Sonntag has formed a committee of staff members to help determine a location for the trailer, what the classrooms might be used for, safety and security concerns and addressing the winter months.

In the meantime, CHMS students will have to adhere to new rules in the hallways starting in November.

“You need to walk on the right in both directions, you need to stay on the right when you’re on the stairs and you can’t touch other students when you’re at school, whether it’s a friendly high-five or otherwise,” Sonntag said.

Bids could be brought back to the district next month, and officials are hoping to have the portable classrooms up and ready by second semester.

Magnet school

Tenbusch continues to move forward with his proposal for a magnet school.
District 181 will conduct an interest survey among fifth- through seventh-grade parents regarding their interest.

Board member Andrew Schmidt requested that an item be added to the survey to see if there are parents who would be willing to transfer just to transfer, as some parents may want to send their children to Hinsdale Middle School simply because of proximity.
Board member Marc Monyek thought a more detailed proposal needed to come forward first. He said the people he has talked to wanted more information about the magnet school, which would pull 100 students from each school and be housed at HMS.

Despite Monyek’s beliefs the survey is premature, however, the board voted 6-1 in favor of Tenbusch’s request.

Overcrowding calls for more custodial help

While increased enrollment at CHMS has caused stress in the halls among students and staff, it has also created a need for more custodians.

Custodial staffing had been allocated based on square footage of facilities, and with the enrollment significantly above the intended capacity this did not accurately define the custodial needs

The board approved on Monday to hire an additional full-time custodian who will work for 12 months at a starting salary of $10.94 per hour.