By Angela Marshall
Two weeks ago the school board announced plans to buy the Dedek Brothers' property on the corner of Maple and Morris avenues because more classroom space is needed on the high school campus. Moving the district's maintenance department to the Maple Avenue property would free up space for four additional classrooms, which will be necessary in 2004 if enrollment estimates hold true.
The district estimates the property, including all of Dedek Brothers' equipment, will cost $615,000. They also budgeted an additional $30,000 in beautification of the Maple Avenue property and about $20,000 to convert the current maintenance area at the high school into classrooms, making the project total about $665,000.
Representatives of the Maple Avenue Task Force and the Middle Village Civic Association contacted the district to protest the plan to purchase the Maple Avenue property, saying that they have been trying to clean up the area and don't believe a maintenance garage is the best use of the property. During a series of meetings with the district, the civic associations offered a number of alternative suggestions, including building an addition onto the high school, leasing or purchasing space outside the school district or moving the administration off the high school campus.
Dr. William Johnson, superintendent of schools, explained why many of the suggestions were not possible at the March 18 board meeting. He said there are only two options given the available real estate: purchasing the Dedek property or building a $2 million extension to the school.
If the board chooses the extension, it will be built in the north-east quadrant of the campus. Two classrooms and two portable classrooms currently located in that area would have to be removed. Then eight classrooms, four on each floor, would be built, netting the school four additional classrooms. The plan also calls for the creation of connecting hallways and a stairwell.
Following the board's presentation of both options, about a dozen representatives from the civic associations said they would be willing to support the more expensive plan. Larry Quinn, president of the Middle Village Civic Association and a member of the 1996 bond committee, said he would be willing to get out the vote for the $2 million bond.
Civic members said they don't want the maintenance garage on Maple Avenue because of environmental, traffic and appearance problems. During the meeting, photos taken a few weeks ago of the district's current maintenance garage by civic members were passed around. The residents pointed out loose wires, rolls of fence and other items stored outside.
Johnson said that many of those items have been taken care of and that the district does not plan to store its equipment outside if they buy the Dedek property. The building would hold nine district vehicles used by maintenance personnel, some smaller items like snow blowers and tools needed to maintain them.
Elliott Winograd, a member of both civic organizations, rejected Johnson's pledge to be a good neighbor. I can't buy that, he said.
Winograd said the Maple Avenue neighbors would prefer to see a home or a small business built on the property instead.
Other residents supported the school district's plan to purchase Dedek Brother's. Maple Avenue resident Kathy Lazewsky said she does not believe a homeowner would want to move there. The property is across from a bowling alley, the village power plant and Eureka Hook Ladder and Bucket Company 1.
She also likes the idea of having the school board as a neighbor, pointing out that residents can let the board know in public when they believe the property is not being properly maintained.
Mary Jo Gallow Fox said she doesn't support the idea of spending more money than necessary to get the same results, four classrooms. She said she doesn't believe other residents will be as quick to approve of the more expensive plan either. This is a small contingent of the town that is represented, she said.
If the board decides to go ahead with the Dedek purchase, a referendum will be held at South Side High School on April 18.
