SWAT visits

Date: August 30, 1993 From: Horace R. Smith MEMORANDUM To: Subject: Ann Brown Observations on Facilities at McClellan High School Melissa and I visited McClellan on August 26, 1993 at approximately 2:00 p.m. Ive categorized our facilities observations based on the areas which were of concern in last years McClellan monitoring report. Modifications Public address system now reaches all areas of the building and is fully operational. This modification was actually completed last year following the incident at Parkview. Electrical outlets have been installed in I-Wing and A-Wing to support new computer equipment. General Building Condition Where the building appeared "grubby and unkempt" according to last years report, McClellan now presents a very attractive and inviting appearance to visitors. The front entrance was painted and free of refuse. Courtyard planters were freshly painted and some contained attractive perennials. Those which didnt contain flowering plants contained a single ornamental tree and the surrounding soil was free of weeds. The planters near the front entrance to the building were also freshly painted and free of weeds. The open-air walkways were in excellent condition. During the summer all of the dirt, gum, etc. had been removed, the floors sealed, and finished with a substance which gives them a shiny appearance. Paint and clean floors have noticeably brightened these halls The indoor hallways sport fresh paint which brightens their appearance. Missing and broken floor tiles have been replaced. The hallway near the drama department which had appeared to be an extension of the custodial closet has been cleaned up. No equipment or boxes were present in any hallway. The condition of the business wing, which was of concern last year, has seen many improvements. The walls have been painted, carpeting added, and the new computer equipment installed. The floors of both the original cafeteria and the addition were in good repair and had been recently waxed. The badly marred plexiglass in the cafeteria doors has been replaced by a clear thick glass. According to the assistant principal, the leaking where the original cafeteria joins the addition has been abated. New ceiling tiles have been installed to replace the spotted ones. The open areas of the building were immaculate. Although the visit was near the end of the school day, not a single piece of trash was seen on the floor of any hallway. Trash receptacles were located at each corner of the two courtyards. Even these receptacles show evidence of being regularly emptied throughout the day. The restrooms have been painted. The stalls have doors and each restroom was well stocked with paper towels and toilet paper. Even though we visited at the end of the day, no paper was observed on the floors of the restrooms. Other Comments The appearance of the building indicates a custodial crew which is better organized and constantly working to maintain the buildings appearance throughout the day. In fact, we observed a very actively engaged crew of custodians during our visit. The assistant principal shared with us that during an early writing assignment, students in one class had mentioned the attractiveness of the building as a source of pride and positive feelings this year at McClellan.Office of Desegregation Monitoring United States District Court Eastern District of Arkansas Ann S. Brown. Federal Monitor 201 East Markham, Suite 510 Heritage West Building Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 (501)376-6200 Fax (501) 371-0100 August 30, 1993 Mrs. Estelle Matthis, Interim Superintendent Little Rock School District 810 West Markham Little Rock, AR 72201 Dear Estelle: As a follow-up to some of our monitoring activities and reports last year, ODM made informal visits to certain LRSD schools during the first days of this school year. .-We visited the two schools that had undergone new construction. King and Forest Heights, and two schools where we had previously expressed concerns about the condition of the facilities, Romine and McClellan. Because the impressions that students, staff, and parents gain during the first few days of school are so important and lasting, we paid close attention to the appearance, maintenance, and condition of the four buildings and their grounds. A short summary of our observations about each school is enclosed. Although we will not formally file or publish these observations at this time, we may eventually include them in a monitoring report. Our primary aim in this early and informal summary was to give you and the principals of the schools we visited the benefit of our first-of-school impressions. We were pleased to note many improvements at all the schools we visited. 1 hope the enclosed information will be helpful as the district continues to work toward making every LRSD school the best it can be. Sincerely yours, Ann S. Brown cc: Jodie Carter Richard Maple Sadie Mitchell Lionel WardODM School Opening Day Visit August 23, 1993 Forest Heights Junior High School The new building is an aesthetic triumph. A short report based on observations during the preschool tour for patrons and media follows the brief summary below of opening day observations. High points: A school official was politely and helpfully directing traffic from Evergreen into the new driveway. Students were orderly and exceptionally quiet. LRSD plans to install a sprinkler system in order to maintain the new landscaping. Computer labs were operable on the first day of school. Low points: Shelving and furniture for the library are not due to arrive until e first of September. Science lab equipment is not due until mid-September. Most classrooms had many vacant seats, suggesting that there may be a large number of students still to come. The single bulletin board in each new classroom is very small, and the concrete block walls make it difficult for teachers to hang posters, charts, student work, or wall decor. Numbering for new rooms was not yet installed. Work had not been completed on removing the old structures slated for demolition, although heavy equipment and workers appeared to be beginning this phase of the project. Some spaces in the old staff parking lot were unusable due to missing asphalt and deep holes. The ongoing construction work, barricades, and restricted building access presented a confusing and noisy backdrop for the east end of campus.Pre-school Visit to Forest Heights Junior High: August 5, 1993 The principal served as guide for a tour of the beautiful new 63,000 square foot addition to Forest Heights. Located immediately west of the original structure, the new building will house nearly all classes and all administrative offices. The construction project was divided into three phases. The first phase, which included new rooms for choir, band, reading lab, and business instruction, was completed during 1992. Phase two included the new building and renovation of the old gym, the cafeteria, and a few classrooms. The final phase, yet to be completed, includes demolition of some of the unused classrooms to create space for additional parking. The exterior of the new building is greatly enhanced by attractive landscaping. Large planters contain banks of junipers. Monitors noted many new trees and walks highlighted by clumps of liriope (monkey grass). Fresh sod covers the open areas. Despite the significant investment in plants, the district did not install an in-ground sprinkling system. Without such a system, it is difficult to keep new plants going. The Student Council donated $1800 for a new granite marker with the name of the school and its mascot, to be installed this fall. The project architects placed importance on aesthetic considerations and designed the building to accommodate teaching clusters, as part of school restructuring. Each new classroom is spacious and contains several windows with views of the surrounding woods. The halls included dramatic green and greige floor tiles set in a diamond pattern that varies in scale throughout the building. Lockers in a coordinating green line the new hallways. Deep yellow and green accents appear throughout the new building, approximating the green and gold school colors. Forest Heights is the only junior high school in the state with a full health clinic. A large part of the clinics operating budget is funded through grants. The clinic staff includes a full-time nurse, full-time social worker, part-time doctor, part-time nutritionist, and part-time dentist. In addition to a clearly-audible public address system, the school has a state-of-the-art communications network that directs all communications between the office and classrooms through telephones. This same system includes a Homework Hotline feature that allows students and parents to access a childs daily assignments. The phone system can provide computerized attendance reporting by phoning the home of each student who has missed school, logging the absence, and documenting any incorrect or changed phone numbers. The entire structure conforms to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. All entrances provide access for the handicapped and the interior includes an elevator for handicapped persons to use. The principal explained that all signs identifying room numbers and teachers names would include the same information in Braille.ODM School Opening Day Visit August 23, 1993 King Interdistrict Elementary School The exterior of the new building looks great, and landscaping is largely completed. The interior is visually plain with questionable color choices, but miraculously the school was finished, mostly furnished, and ready for the first day of classes. High Points: All classrooms furnished with at least the basics. Classroom displays up and rooms ready for students. New playground equipment installed and in use on the elementary playground. State-of-the-art kitchen with all new equipment. Large cafeteria (to be decorated with attractive banners) served lunch to all students on the first day and gave snacks to four-year-olds. Many special activity rooms: two large group counseling rooms, art room, music room, health room, multi-purpose room, conference rooms, and the like. Low points: No handicapped access to the playground. (A wheelchair-bound student and the teacher found it rough going down the rocky dirt slope to the playground.) Some over-crowded classrooms. For example, one second grade roster listed 28 students, meaning the class will have to be divided to remain within state standards. With school already underway and teaching assignments completed, choices for new teaching staff are now limited, meaning that Kings principal may have to select additional staff from less than the "cream of the crop" for this important new school. Library is small but will apparently be increased in size after other construction concludes. A serious-looking crack, in the north wall of the art room, extends 4-5 feet from the bottom of a window to the floor. Essentially sterile color scheme, with cold gray-toned white walls and similarly colored floors that are jarred, rather than relieved, by occasional splashes of intense and rather odd colors on some walls and other surfaces. The mix of "accent" colors lends to a sense of an uncoordinated color scheme. Play area designed for four-year-olds is surfaced entirely with concrete (ouch!). This area was not ready for students and was marked with ironic signs stating "Do not play on the playground." Computer labs devoid of equipment with delivery of computers not expected for at least two weeks. Four-year-old students from PCSSD were not transported by PCSSD on the first day of school, but Bobby Lester promised to remedy the situation immediately. A monitor witnessed a third grade teacher loudly castigating one of her students in front of his class in the hallway because the student had apparently become lost. (A sad way for a young, new student to begin the new year, a new school assignment, and a new class.)King (continued) Monitors did not detect a sprinkler system for the new grass and plants. Some of the grass was already brown and lifeless and several plants were drooping. Without water, the new landscaping, which does not have an established root system, will not long withstand the late summer heat.ODM School Opening Dey Visit: August 23, 1993 Romine Interdistrict Elementary School The district made quite a few improvements to Romine during the 1992-93 school year. During May 1993, monitors observed new metal awnings and freshly painted exterior trim on the building. The district replaced unsightly portables with new portable classrooms and expanded the library. All corridors in the original building received new floor tiles, although the original cafeteria floor remains, as do the floors in the newer wing. High points: The school was clean. Workers were in the process of applying a new roof. The grounds were neat. Low points: The building interior has not been painted. The heating and air conditioning system has not been refurbished (or replaced if necessary).ODM School Opening Week Visits: August 26, 1993 McClellan High School The observations below are categorized according to the areas which were of concern in last years McClellan monitoring report. Modifications Public address system now reaches all areas of the building and is fully operational. This modification was completed last year following the incident at Parkview. Electrical outlets have been installed in 1-Wing and A-Wing to support new computer equipment. General Building Condition Where the building appeared "grubby and unkempt" according to last years report, McClellan now presents a very attractive and inviting appearance to visitors. The front entrance was painted and free of refuse. Courtyard planters were freshly painted and some contained attractive perennials. Those that didnt have flowering plants held a single ornamental tree and each container was free of weeds. The planters near the front entrance to the building were also freshly painted and weed free. The open-air walkways were in excellent condition. During the summer, all of the dirt and gum had been removed and the floors had been sealed and finished with a substance that gives them a shiny appearance. Paint and clean floors have noticeably bnghtened these halls. The indoor hallways sport fresh paint which brightens their appearance. Missing and broken floor tiles have been replaced. The hallway near the drama department that had previously appeared to be an extension of the custodial closet has been cleaned up. No equipment nor boxes were present in any hallway. The condition of the business wing, which was of concern last year, has seen many improvements. The walls have been painted, carpeting added, and the new computer equipment installed. The floors of both the original cafeteria and the addition were in good repair and had been recently waxed. The badly marred plexiglass in the cafeteria doors has been replaced by a clear thick glass. According to the assistant principal, the leaking where the original cafeteria joins the addition has been stopped. New ceiling tiles have been installed to replace the old spotted ones. The open areas of the building were immaculate. Although the monitors visited near the end of the school day, not a single piece of trash was seen on the floor of any hallway. Trash receptacles, located at each comer of the two courtyards, appeared to have been emptied throughout the day. The restrooms have been painted. The stalls have doors and each restroom was well stocked with paper towels and toilet paper. Monitors saw no litter on the restroom floors.McQellan (continued) Other Comments The appearance of the building indicates a custodial crew which is better organized and constantly working to maintain the buildings appearance throughout the day. We observed a very actively engaged crew of custodians during our visit. The assistant principal told us that during an early classroom writing assignment, one group of students had mentioned the buildings attractiveness as a source of pride and positive feelings this year at McClellan.n ij Little Rock School District September 10, 1993 RECEP S- SEP 1 5 1993 i 'if Mrs. Ann S. Brown Federal Monitor Office of Desegregation Monitoring 201 East Markham, Suite 510 Little Rock, AR 72201 Office of Desegregation ''Q Dear Ann: This communication is a response to your letter dated August 30, 1993, and received in my office on September 2, 1993. My tour of the schools on August 23, 1993, was very similar to yours. As we visited the same schools, except Romine, I was probably 15 minutes behind you and your staff. Our observations had some similarities, but my focus was a bit broader as I viewed some aspects of instructional programs. I have discussed and distributed copies of your letter to our support managers so that they may assist staff in addressing various concerns and issues. We were aware that some equipment would not arrive until September, but we do believe that, instructionally, youngsters needs were appropriately addressed by staff. The new constructions are becoming more physically appealing and attractive. Within the next few weeks, everything should be in place. Mrs. Mitchell and her interview team identified more than an adequate number of qualified teachers. The additional applicants were on standby, and we are able to employ capable teachers as the enrollment increased at King. We will continue to focus on and devote our energies to supporting the schools to have a successful school year. Information provided from a number of different perspectives is deemed helpful by me. I continue to believe that "none of us is as smart as all of us." Thanks for your continued support. Sincerely, Estelle Matthis Interim Superintendent EM/lks 810 West Markham street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 (501)824-2000 Office of Desegregation Monitoring United States District Court Eastern District of Arkansas Ann S. Brown, Federal Monitor 201 East Markham, Suite 510 Heritage West Building Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 (501) 376-6200 Fax (501) 371 -0100 September 12, 1994 Dr. Henry Williams, Superintendent Little Rock School District 810 West Markham Little Rock. AR 72201 Dear Hank
It's become an ODM custom for us to make brief, informal visits to some schools during the first few days of the new academic year. Our observations during these visits are the same type which we feel parents, students, and staff would make as they enter the building to start the year. That's why we pay particular attention to the aspects of a school which are most likely to initially impress those entering it, such as the condition of the grounds, building upkeep and cleanliness, student behavior, and so forth. This year we dropped in on Franklin, Garland, Mitchell, and Rightsell Incentive schools
Chicot, Fair Park, Fulbright, and Woodruff Elementary Schools
Romine Interdistrict School
Henderson Junior High
and McClellan High School. The notes we made on each of those schools are attached. As in the past, we will not formally file or publish our observations at this time, although it's possible that we might eventually include them in a monitoring report. Our intention with these early and informal comments is to give you, your administrators, and principals the benefit of our initial impressions. I hope the enclosed information is helpful. Please give me a call if you have any questions or comments. Sincerely yours, Ann S. Brown Enc. cc: Estelle Matthis Russ Mayo Doug Eaton Building principalsODM Visits to LRSD Schools, Opening Days 1994 Franklin Incentive School We were pleased to note that: Brush had been cleared from the fenceline on the northern border of the school. A new sidewalk had been installed at the entrance to the building. The parking lot had been resurfaced. A new parent center, which is attractive and comfortably-appointed, had been situated across from the office. The school's new business parmer, the City of Little Rock, had installed two new picnic tables on the playground. The entrance area had bright, attractive signs welcoming students and visitors. Classrooms appeared well-prepared and ready for students. Hallways were clean and decorated with bright, attractive displays and bulletin boards
hall floors were waxed. Hall rules posted throughout the building were expressed in positive terms. Staff and students were friendly and helpful. We also noted some areas needing attention. On June 2, 1994, ODM filed a letter to the court regarding the condition of the Mitchell and Franklin facilities. Later in June, the LRSD responded to that letter, indicating that the problems cited in the letter had been addressed. However, as we visited Franklin during the opening week of school, monitors found some of the same deficiencies cited in the June 1994 letter. The problem areas now include: Most of the walls throughout the building had paint that is splotchy and mis-matched
splashes and drips of misplaced paint mar the windows, baseboards, and bathroom fixtures. Ceiling tiles throughout the building had been discolored and damaged by water stains. The glass in many of the windows and exterior doors was dirty. Several hall flooring tiles were broken. A girls' restroom on the first floor contained only one fully operable sink (one sink had no water, and two other lacked water pressure sufficient for hand washing). All of the sinks were dirty, one was rusty, and all bore the remains of old paint, as did the toilet seats. A boys' bathroom on the second floor contained a continuously running urinal. The rocky hill on the northeast border of the school property remains a tempting danger zone. Continual erosion has exposed solid rock outcroppings whose slopes are covered wi small, sharp stones.ODM Visits to LRSD Schools, Opening Days 1994 Garland Incentive School We were pleased to note that: The hallways were clean, bright, and decorated with posters and signs of welcome. Classrooms were neat, attractive, and prepared for children. All staff and students we encountered were welcoming, friendly, and polite. Children were busily engaged in learning and play activities
some were quietly eating lunch in the cafeteria. Many students were wearing the attractive school uniforms. Bilingual signs were posted throughout the halls, showing sensitivity to the school's significant Hispanic population. The staff is more racially balanced this year with the addition of five white teachers, two of whom are male. Fresh St. Augustine sod recently had been installed near the building's entrance, and new stands of grass were evident on the playground. We also noted some areas needing attention: The exterior doors on the north side of the building were badly faded, and had suffered considerable water damage which caused the wood to become separated and shredded. The boys bathroom on the first floor smelled strongly of urine, and accumulated dust covered the eye-level tile border. One sixth grade classroom had a ceiling leak. Brackets for the televisions and VCR's had not been mounted on the walls, inhibiting progress toward theme implementation. Hallways throughout the building were marred by numerous small patches of missing paint, apparently where tape had been removed.ODM Visits to LRSD Schools, Opening Days 1994 Mitchell Incentive School We were pleased to note that: The interior of the building had been freshly painted in a blue and white color scheme that coordinated with the carpet installed during the spring of 1994. The school's new creed was prominently displayed in the foyer. New carpet had been installed in the second-floor hallway. Students were well-behaved and friendly. We also noted some areas needing attention. ODM observed several of these same problems during our May 1994 visit to the school and documented them in a letter filed with the Court on June 2, 1994. The problem areas now include: Exterior paint was peeling badly around the second floor windows. Extensive roof leaks had caused great damage to the ceilings and carpet in both the reading and math labs. These leaks began over a year ago. The library also had a serious problem with a roof leak that has left a gaping 4' x 3' hole in the ceiling. Window screens were missing. Exterior doors badly need repainting. Florescent lights in the cafeteria were missing their covers. Part of the campus fence was in such a poor state of repair that passersby had easy access to the school grounds. Work that should have been completed before children returned to school was left unfinished. Painters still had work to complete during the first week of school, and the contractor had not begun work on the re-roofing.ODM Visits to LRSD Schools, Opening Days 1994 Rightsell Incentive School We were pleased to note that: The school had a very orderly environment. The new school creed was prominently displayed on a bulletin board near the main entrance. All areas of the school were clean and free of litter. We also noted some areas needing attention: Plaster and paint have continued to fail on the same section of basement wall that has been mentioned in every ODM report on the incentive schools. As has been noted before, the problem is caused by moisture from an improperly placed downspout. The library ceiling suffers from several serious leaks.ODM Visits to LRSD Schools, Opening Days 1994 Chicot Elementary School We were pleased to note that: The entire school was very clean, despite the mess created by the ongoing construction of the cafeteria. The exterior of the new cafeteria harmonizes with the existing building in both design and materials. Students were friendly and outgoing. Bathrooms we visited were clean, stocked, and operational. New floor tiles had replaced the dirty, worn carpet in the main corridor. We also noted some areas needing attention. The new cafeteria was still unfinished when monitors visited during the second week of classes. A serious drainage problem on the south side of the building resulted in cascades of water entering the building during rainstorms. Carpeting throughout the building was stained, worn, and stretched fiom more than 15 years of use. Some classrooms and the counselors' offices had serious leaks.ODM Visits to LRSD Schools, Opening Days 1994 Fair Park Elementary School We were pleased to note that: The building was spotless. Corridors were clean and well-lit. Restrooms were clean and well-supplied. Classrooms were attractively decorated with bulletin boards welcoming students. The playground contained some new equipment. Students were friendly and well-behaved. We also noted some areas needing attention: Monitors noticed several teachers who were gruff or testy in their dealings wi students. A third grade class walking down the hall was separated by gender. The principal's office lacked a computer which could be used for all sorts of word processing, including contributions to the program budget document. Eaves in one section of the exterior had been damaged by rain, and required repair, waterproofing, and repainting. Trees at the rear of the building extended over the roof of the school. A broken downspout was located at the rear of the building.ODM Visits to LRSD Schools, Opening Days 1994 Fulbright Elementary School We -were pleased to note that: The students were very well-behaved and friendly. The interior of the school was bright, cheery, and vibrant. Well-designed, attractive teacher-made bulletin boards welcomed students back to school. The PT A funded the construction of a retaining wall to eliminate erosion near the school entrance. We also noted some areas needing attention: The wooden exterior trim needed re-staining and waterproofing. The facade of the building was marred by a large diagonal crack in the mortar, which appeared to be due to settling. The cafeteria was dark, in marked contrast to the other light, bright spaces of the school. Counselors lacked office space. According to the principal, space problems will be solved when a portable building arrives from Williams. This portable classroom will be used to house the GT teacher and the space currently allotted to GT will be designated as the counseling area. Until that time, the counselor must scrounge around for space to hold private sessions.ODM Visits to LRSD Schools, Opening Days 1994 Woodruff Elementary School We -were pleased to note that: The interior and exterior of the building were clean and attractive. The entry received attractive, replacement windows which were in keeping with the school's period of construction. Students were friendly and well-behaved. The school contained several multicultural bulletin boards. We also noted some areas needing attention: The roof leaked in the new early childhood wing of the building. The paint has pealed and the plaster flaked on a basement wall near the library, probably due to an improperly placed downspout which drains next to the foundation of the building. A clogged drain in an exterior stairwell causes flooding in the basement kindergarten classroom. The cafeteria exit door jams, causing a serious safety hazard.ODM Visits to LRSD Schools, Opening Days 1994 Romine Interdistrict School We -were pleased to note that: Romine now has a program specialist to coordinate the technology theme. All hallways featured colorful and creative bulletin board displays. Floors throughout the building were freshly waxed. We also noted some areas needing attention: The cable hook-up between classrooms and the technology lab was not complete at the time of we visited. The program specialist, though highly qualified and knowledgeable, was not hired until just before teachers returned to school, limiting the amount of advanced preparation possible for effective theme implementation. Classroom doors and interior trim were unsightly. Carpet in the early childhood wing was in poor condition. The cafeteria light fixtures contained several bumed-out florescent tubes. In one classroom, we noted the alphabet chart with "I is for Indian." As we have noted in numerous monitoring reports, this chart treats a person as an object and portrays Native Americans in a stereotypical and offensive manner.ODM Visits to LRSD Schools, Opening Days 1994 Henderson Junior High We -were pleased to note that: * As visitors entered the building, a security guard met them and directed them to the office. All the lockers were freshly painted. Eighty percent of the school rules posted in the office were stated in positive terms. Students were in their classrooms working and we saw no traffic in the halls during school hours. We also noted some areas needing attention: The cafeteria showed evidence of both ceiling leaks and leaky windows. The cafeteria also featured a rusted and corroded water fountain. Wall paint throughout the main hallways was dingy, dirty, and unattractive. In some areas of the building, floor tiles were dirty. Seventy-five percent the hall rules (which were posted in the office, rather than the hall) were expressed in negative terms. The two students who were waiting in the outer office when we arrived were still sitting in the same spots nearly an hour later, when we left.ODM Visits to LRSD Schools, Opening Days 1994 McClellan Community High School We -were pleased to note that: The security presence was excellent, with friendly but firm security guards. The campus was clean, litter-free, and well-lit. Freshly painted walls and doors improved the appearance of the classrooms and corridors. Administrators and staff were visible during class changes, and the students were orderly, The courtyard near the office was enhanced by flowering plants. Restrooms were generally clean and well-supplied. Custodians were actively involved in cleaning during our visit. The classrooms were attractively decorated with many bulletin board displays. The media center contained a pleasant, homey area for quiet reading. We also noted some areas needing attention: Several of the florescent lights in the English wing were burned out. Exit lights throughout the building lacked illumination. Some classrooms had been retrofitted with partitions that did not reach all the way to the floor, allowing noise to travel easily between classes. We noted a display of "Famous American Authors," which would have led an observer to believe that only European-Americans contributed to American Literature. The picnic tables in the cafeteria courtyard were warped and broken. The carpet in the media center was dirty and worn.SWAT MONITORING SCHEDULE AUG 22-25 Team Leaders - LRSD (Melissa*) NLRSD (Margie) PCSSD (Horace) Monday - 22 Mills HS (Full SWAT) Lakewood Elementary Mitchell Incentive School Rightsell Incentive School Clinton Interdistrict Magnet Tuesday - 23 Oak Grove HS (Full SWAT) Fair Park Elementary Romine Interdistrict Lynch Drive Elementary Indian Hills Elementary Wednesday -24 Jacksonville JHS-North (Full SWAT) Jacksonville JHS-South (Full SWAT) Baker Elementary (Full SWAT) Thursday - 25 Franklin Incentive School Garland Incentive School Lakewood Middle School NLR HS-East During week of Aug 22 - Ann is LRSD Team LeaderSzPC^ MEMORANDUM Date: November 28, 1994 From: Horace R. Smith To: Subject: All monitors SWAT Visit to Franklin Incentive School We will be gracing Franklin Incentive School with a SWAT visit on Wednesday, November 30, 1994. Melissa and I will arrive at 7:30 am in order to observe the arrival of children. If it is inconvenient for you to arrive at that time, please try to be at Franklin as soon as you can. There are certain areas of concern (such as the number of tardies) which require early observation. The first bell rings at Franklin at 7:50 am. The tardy bell sounds at 7:55 am. Please let me know if you will be able to go and what time you will arrive. The more the merrier! Other than Melissas observation of the Spanish Immersion class, we probably wont do in-class observations since our visit is unannounced. We dont want to cause a disruption. You can observe classes briefly through the classroom doors. The following list should serve as a guide for your observations while we are in the building. Regarding Tardiness: Observe the arrival of students - where do they go? How efficient is supervision? Note the number of students eating breakfast at any given time (e.g. is there a peak time? How many are just arriving as it nears time for the first bell? How many are still eating after the first bell? the second bell?) Where do students go when the 7:50 am bell rings? How many students do you note in the halls after the tardy bell at 7:55 am? Are there still students arriving at school when the tardy bell rings? From casual observation, what time does instruction seem to begin in most classrooms? Spanish Immersion Number of students present - number of tardies When does instruction begin?I Classroom physical environment - visuals, equipment, etc. Speak with the principal regarding when materials and equipment were ordered and when they actually arrived. Compare observations to other first grade classrooms Miscellaneous Observations Evidence of theme implementation (Communication and Technology) Parent Center - materials, documentation of use General Facility - restrooms, paint, ceiling tiles, playground areas, etc.Office of Desegregation Monitoring United States District Court Eastern District of Arkansas Ann S. Brown. Federal Monitor 201 East Markham. Suite 510 Heritage West Building Little Rock. Arkansas 72201 (501)376-6200 Fax (501) 371-0100 Date: January 10, 1995 To: From: Subject: Pat Price, Early Childhood Education Coordinator Little Rock School District Melissa Guldin,''Associate Monitor Monitoring Visits to Classes for Four-Year-Olds As you know, early childhood education is an area of great emphasis and importance in the LRSD desegregation plan. This school year marks the first time that the district has operated the full complement of early childhood classes. In order to monitor the program for four-year-olds, we will be visiting a number of early childhood classes. These drop-in visits will be informal, lasting no more than thirty minutes or so. During each visit, we will note areas such as curriculum and instruction, staffing, class size, racial balance, materials and equipment, facilities, and outdoor play areas. I am not publishing a schedule of visitations, but schools may expect a drop-in visit anytime after January 16,1995. Monitors will not require any special documentation or an interview with the principal or teacher(s). As always, monitors will check in with the office staff before going to classrooms. In addition, we will conduct an exit interview, if the principal requests one. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this monitoring, please contact me. Thank you. cc: Dr. Hank Williams Estelle MatthisDate: January 13,1995 From: Melissa To: Barry Subject: MEMORANDUM Visits to Classrooms for Four-Year-Olds Below is a schedule of our visits to classes for four-year-olds. I gave priority to schools with programs that have been added in the last two years. We will depart for each school around 8:30 and the visit should take no more than an hour or so. I will meet with you Tuesday to finalize details. If any of these dates pose a conflict, please let me know. Thursday, January 19 - Fair Park Friday, January 20 - Mabelvale Monday, January 23 - Wilson Tuesday, January 24 - Bale Thursday, January 26 - Baseline Friday, January 27 - Woodruff Monday, January 30 - Watson Tuesday, January 31 - Badgett Thursday, February 2 - Brady cc: Ann PollyOffice of Desegregation Monitoring United States District Court Eastern District of Arkansas Ann S. Brown, Federal Monitor 201 East Markham, Suite 510 Heritage West Building Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 (501)376-6200 Fax (501) 371-0100 February 22, 1995 Dr. Henry Williams, Superintendent Little Rock School District 810 West Markham Street Little Rock, AR 72201 Dear Hank: From time to time, my staff and I make unannounced, informal visits to schools for monitoring purposes. During this month and last, we dropped in on the district's junior high schools, including the Alternative Learning Center. Our observations focused primarily on the condition of the facilities, although we noted other facets of school life as well. The notes we made on each school are attached. We will not publish or file our observations at this time, although it's possible that we might eventually include them in a formal monitoring report. Our intention with these comments is to give you, the Board, administrators, and principals the benefit of our impressions. As you will read, we were pleased to make many positive observations about the schools. We were delighted, though not surprised, to find that on the whole, staff were cordial and very helpful, and students were fnendly and well-behaved. We also noticed many problems. We were particularly struck with the marked unevenness in the level of maintenance and cleanliness among individual schools, or even within various parts of one facility. We found considerable evidence to indicate that some custodial and maintenance crews are not performing to the level required to keep buildings and grounds in top shape. We are especially concerned that, too frequently, children do not have access to restrooms that are consistently clean and well-supplied, and in which all fixtures are completely functional. As adults, we expect to have an accessible, clean, private, and fully-supplied place in which to attend to the most basic of our bodily functions
surely, none of us expect less for children.Page Two February 23, 1995 We noted a few serious problems requiring immediate attention, such as the structural failings at Cloverdale, where that growing defect has remained unaddressed for many months. At several schools, we were alarmed to discover exterior entrances left open and unattended, making for easy unauthorized entry or exit from the building or campus. Especially at a time when security and discipline are consistently top issues, such laxness is potentially dangerous and, therefore, unacceptable. In most of the buildings, inadequate water drainage and moisture control continue to cause expensive damage, some of it serious. Preventing damage is invariably less costly than fixing it later, after harm is done and small problems have grown into big ones. Thus, we urge that the district intensify work to correct the many water drainage and leak problems, and to institute measures to prevent reoccurrences or new problems. I hope the enclosed information is helpful. Please call with have any questions or comments. Sincerely yours, Ann S. Brown Enc. cc: Board of Directors Estelle Matthis Building principals ALTERNATIVE LEARNING CENTER Date: January 27, 1995 We were pleased to find: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. The parking lot was newly resurfaced, lending a very neat and professional appearance. The exterior grounds looked well-tended and were almost litter-free. Sidewalks, which during our last visit had been covered with grass and brush, were clean and visible. The grass was neatly mowed and edged. American and Arkansas flags were in place on the pole. The courtyard and walkways were free of litter and looked well-tended. The three huge trees in the courtyard served to beautify the area and will provide welcome shade in the summer. A large eagle-adorned red, white, and blue banner was draped handsomely in the entrance way, bidding "Welcome" to all who entered. In the entryway, a neat bulletin board announced the schools mission. The reception area was spacious, allowing visitors and students to be in the area without feeling overcrowded. The hallways were very clean. The walls looked freshly painted and, although few in number, the bulletin boards in the halls were attractive. Plenty of strategically-placed large trash barrels helped to keep litter off the floors throughout the building. The kitchen area was clean and smelled of freshly baked cookies and bleach. The brightly painted lockers were somewhat age-battered, with some dents, scratched and chipped paint, and a few apparently sprung doors, but all were padlocked and free of graffiti. On the cold, misty day we visited, the temperature throughout the building was comfortable. 12. Most of the girls bathrooms were free of litter and had paper towels. 13. The few students we encountered were friendly and well-behaved. 14. 15. 16. 17. From classroom door windows, we could see most students participating in class discussions or otherwise focused on learning tasks. During class changes, students moved swiftly and with a minimum of noise. Teachers were present in the hallways and a security guard at the end of the hallway monitored the time for students to get to their classrooms. The principal and other staff we encountered were welcoming, friendly, and eager to answer questions and share information. The principal clearly takes pride in the building, its appearance, and its mission. Security personnel were on duty. Areas Needing Attention: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Only one of the two drinking fountains in the cafeteria worked, and only one of the twin fountains in the main hallway was operable. Most of the interior and exterior doors had chipped paint. Most of the windows on the classroom doors had tape residue. The cafeteria had two bulletin boards, but one was bare except for a tattered construction paper backing. The other contained only one or two few visuals, also on a slightly tattered and faded paper background. Both appeared to have been untended for some time. The library was locked and our observations were limited to those that could be made at the door windows. The carpeted room was tidy and clean. It contained only books and magazines. Page 16. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. and had no audio-visual, computer, or other technical equipment. In addition to the printed matter, the room contained only three small tables and a total of nine chairs. Four skimpy plants on the window ledge and a few posters were the rooms only decorative touches. An instructional aide served as the librarian/media clerk, and also doubled as the attendance clerk. According to the aide, the books, which were donations, were old and did not appeal to todays youth. The only current publications available to the students were through sporadic deliveries of some magazines. In parts of the building interior, sheaves of wires have been bundled and openly run overhead. The only recreational equipment we saw was a ping-pong table on the stage of the cafetorium and an exterior basketball goal. The principal explained that the school had no physical education program. During the school day, the students have access only to unorganized recreation during the recess time. A desk, apparently used by security personnel, in the entrance was unattended when we arrived. The nearby counselors office was dark and locked. One set of double doors to the rear of the building was not locked from the outside. The principal said the locks were broken and could not be secured without also preventing exit. Another set of twin exit doors was also accessible from the exterior, but these doors opened to an interior courtyard which also served the Hearing Office. One of these doors was propped slightly open by a chain, apparently to allow staff to enter and exit at will. One entire wing of the school is empty, except for the Hearing Office. This space could be used to expand the services of the ALC. The Hearing Office, located in the otherwise unused wing, appears newly constructed to accommodate the district hearing officer, who recently moved to the building from the LRSD Annex. Another office area in that same wing sits empty and unused. 13. The door to the computer room had a hole in it. 14. Paint on the exterior window frames was cracked, faded, and peeling. 15. The floor of the cafeteria was well-swept, but bore many scuff marks and looked as though it had not been scrubbed or waxed in quite some time. Girls Restrooms 16. One restroom, marked for the use of faculty women, contained five stalls, but only one had a roll of toilet paper. This seemed to be a regular pattern in the restrooms. Inadequate amounts of toilet paper, one bar of soap, if any, and skimpy supplies of paper towels were common in the restrooms for both students and faculty. None of the taps provided hot water, and some restrooms had no hot water taps at all. Other problems noted were burned out light bulbs, inoperable faucets, and graffiti on stall doors or mirrors. 11. The floor in one restroom needed mopping and waxing. The room had no stall for handicapped students. The wall in one restroom was marred by a large dark area that apparently once contained a heating or air conditioning unit. Boys Restrooms 18. The restrooms were relatively clean and odor free, but dimly lit. The rooms were stocked with paper goods, and the toilets were clean. The faucets were working, and soap was furnished. Page 2CLOVERDALE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Date: January 24, 1995 We were pleased to find: 1. 2. 3. 4, 5. 6. 7, 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. For the most part, the grounds and areas in front of the school were litter-free. The front courtyard was neat
all of the bushes were trimmed and the evenly spaced crepe myrtle trees promised that the area would be very attractive during blooming season. Several benches near the front building provided an area where visitors could relax and enjoy the view. The main entrance to the building was clean and welcoming. School staff greeted the monitors cordially in the office and throughout the building. A list of honor roll students for each grade level was prominently displayed on the front glass panel at the entry to the main office. Bright art work of students greeted visitors in the main reception area. Prominently displayed were two posters touting volunteerism and a large VIPS poster encouraging parent participation. Security persoimel were visibly on-the-job throughout the building. When we spoke to students, they were cheerful, respectful, and very helpful. They changed classes in an orderly fashion. The hallways and courtyards were almost completely litter-free
trash receptacles were stationed at intervals along the exterior halls and in most of the interior halls. About a dozen trash cans were stacked upside-down against one wall in a courtyard. A custodian explained that these receptacles were used for leaf collection. The lockers were all graffiti-free. The paint on the lockers in the new wing was in excellent shape, marred by only a few smudges and pencil marks. On the older lockers in the exterior halls, the paint was faded and dull from exposure to the elements, but the lockers were largely free of extraneous marks and dirt. Except for one of the girls bathrooms, the walls had little or no graffiti. The carpet in the media center was clean and free of litter. Areas Needing Attention: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Shadowed exterior sidewalks had not been cleared of the ice and snow that remained from the weekend storm, nor had sand or similar material been applied to aid footing. One of these ice- encrusted areas was outside the exit at the north end of the new wing, and would have made for hazardous egress in case of an emergency. Another ice-covered area ran along the north parking lot, providing very shaky footing between cars and the building. No flags were hung on the flagpole. A small area of the grounds in front of the school, near the flagpole, was littered with cups and other paper. A janitor was picking this trash up as we left the campus just after 10:00 a.m. We were puzzled to see a banner, announcing the school as an "Academy," hanging next to the permanent lettering that read "Cloverdale Junior High School." One of the nine or ten large picnic tables in an interior courtyard was upended against a tree. Some boards and a large piece of cloth lay in a messy heap at the base of the table. Almost all doors, especially those in the older area of the schools, were scuffed and dirty and had tape residue and chipped paint both inside and out. Most of the office, security, and custodial personnel we encountered were of one race. Classrooms in the new wing were partially labeled with construction-paper lettering, much of which had fallen or been tom away, leaving the rooms unidentified. Page 39. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. One of the two bulletin boards in the new wing was decorated, but the other was mostly blank. Although we peeked into relatively few classrooms, we saw many bare walls unadorned with any pictures, maps, or other materials that would promote student learning or interest or allow observers to determine what subject was taught in the room. In contrast, some of the classroom walls were hung with colorful and engaging posters, maps, student work, and the like. Although we did not enter them, in some of the classrooms we noted that most of the students wore thick, heavy coats, giving the impression that the rooms were cold. The library area of the media center was well-ordered, but the office and storage areas were far from being neat and tidy, and appeared disorganized and unprofessional. One of the overhead lights in the main area of the library was not illuminated. In one comer near the entrance, an assortment of wires hung haphazardly along the wall and one dangled from the ceiling to the floor. A few computers were set up in the media center, but one bore a sign reading "out of order." Several ceiling tiles were slightly raised or askew. The windows and doors had a considerable amount of unsightly tape residue. The school sported a profusion of wiring that was exposed to view and, therefore, easy access. In the exterior hallways, large bundles of wiring have been run overhead. In several places, where cut wires dangled from a wall or overhead source, we could discern no obvious intended connection nor past use. All of the fuse boxes for the air conditioning units on the east side have an open exterior lever for "on" and "off." The large fuse boxes in the hallway next to the gym had no padlock and were easily opened. Such exposure of electrical controls invites pranks or outright vandalism. One of the pair of exterior doors at the north end of the new wing was open and could not be closed from inside. Only after hard, repeated shoving from the outside would the door close. Since district regulations require that unattended doors be closed to exterior access, this open door could lead to unauthorized entry into the wing. Throughout the building, we noted ceiling tiles that bore water stains, even a few in the new wing. A custodian explained that, although the roof had been patched with tar in some places, leaks were still a problem. Near an exterior exit on the north side of the building was stacked a motley collection that included a chair, a barbecue grill, two inverted trash cans, a hand truck, and a metal cabinet. Perhaps the school lacks adequate storage area. 18. Most of the water fountains did not work. Only one of the two units in the new wing was 19. 20. 21. 22. operational and just one of the two fountains in an exterior northwest hallway worked. The twin fountain unit near an exterior northeast exit did not work at all and, judging by the collection of dirt in its bowl, it had not afforded anyone a drink for some time. Only the classrooms in the new wing had windows in the doors to facilitate unobtrusive observation. From that vantage point, we noted a few file cabinets, but no built-in storage areas where teachers could organize and store materials. In some of the classrooms, newspapers, boxes, books, and the like were stashed or stacked haphazardly on the floor, giving the rooms a sloppy, unprofessional, and uncared-for look. In a room in the new wing, the chalk tray under the main chalkboard was full of chalk dust which had spilled over on the carpeted floor in a broad yellow band, indicating that the floor had not been vacuumed nor the chalk tray cleaned in some time. Some of the walls in the new wing hallways were scuffed and dirty, several pieces of tape hung in places. The floors were badly scuffed and appeared to need a good scrubbing and waxing. The foundation on the exterior east side of the building, and perhaps the north side as well, appears to be sinking, creating a serious, extended horizontal crack in the brick wall that is several inches wide in some places. At some points, the exterior wall is pulling away from the interior walls. On the west end of the exterior north wall, we noted a pronounced vertical crack Page 423. 24. 25. between the bricks, which could also signal structural problems. The custodian and principal said they had been trying unsuccessfully for several months to get the district to address these problems. A ramp, designed to permit access to the stage area for persons with disabilities, was used for storage of mats and chairs, which precluded easy access to the stage area. The floor in the cafeteria needed a good scrubbing. Several ceiling tiles were loose. During a class change, several dozen students sauntered singly or in pairs to class well after the tardy bell, even though a security guard was urging them to hurry on to class. A couple of the security guards blatantly flirted with some of the female students. We did not observe any female security guards on the campus. Girls Restrooms 26. 27. 28. 29. The restrooms near the front of the campus were locked during the initial part of our visit. The principal gave instructions to open them According to some students, with the exception of the new wing, most of the restrooms were locked during class time, but were reopened during class changes. Apparently, this arrangement is an effort to reduce graffiti and vandalism. For the most part, the restrooms in the original part of the building were free of excessive litter, but the sinks and countertops were dirty. None of the stalls had disposal receptacles for sanitary items. Apparent efforts to keep the walls graffiti-free had resulted in some very sloppy paint jobs. Quite a bit of paint had dribbled down the walls onto the ceramic tile. Also many of the tiles were chipped, cracked, and discolored. None of the bathrooms in the original part of the building had soap or paper towels. The ten classrooms in the new wing were served by one restroom, which had three stalls. The two stalls with dispensers for toilet paper had some paper, but the third stall had neither dispenser nor paper. One of the units for disposal of sanitary items was missing. Graffiti was abundant on the far stall wall. The two paper towel dispensers, which were both dirty, were empty and the room contained neither soap dispensers nor soap. The laminated area around the sinks was discolored. All three sinks had both hot and cold water and good water pressure. A dark substance covered much of the upper portion of the narrow wall next to the sinks
it appeared as though black paint had been applied and attempts to remove it were unsuccessful. Boys Restrooms 30. 31. 32. One of the restrooms had a very foul order. The place was dirty and one of the commodes was broken. Gang signs were prevalent on the walls. The center restroom was cold and dirty. Only one of three sinks worked. One roll of toilet paper served several stalls. Two of the toilets were dirty. The one restroom serving ten classrooms in the new wing was fairly clean, but it contained only one roll of paper and no paper towels. Page 5DUNBAR JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Date: February 1, 1995 We were pleased to note: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 1. 8. 9. 10. The U.S. and Arkansas flags were properly displayed on the exterior flagpole. The grounds around the school were nicely landscaped and free of debris. We saw two custodians picking up around the school as we arrived. The newly-paved parking lot added to the aesthetic appeal of the campus. A security guard was on duty at the front desk just inside the main entrance. The main doorway featured attractive, live plants. The terrazzo floors were in good condition and relatively clean. Various flags, visuals, and bilingual signs trumpeted the schools international studies magnet theme. The main floor hallway featured numerous bulletin board displays commemorating Black History Month. A display case at the entrance contained a large collection of African-American dolls (one owned by a former slave) representing different time periods. Another display traced the history of a black family through photographs. Student recognition was prominently displayed in the form of a "Student of the Week" bulletin board, which hung near the main entrance. The students we encountered were very polite and fiiendly. 11. Student lockers were generally in good shape and most were free of graffiti. 12. The pupil services wing was spacious. It included offices for the counselors and a health room. The nurse pointed out that the district had recently re-tiled the floor in this area. The counselors and nurse shared a common waiting area and the counselors had a separate room for group counseling. A rack in the waiting room had quite a few pamphlets relating to health issues. 13. The cafeteria was clean, the floors free of debris, and the tables and chairs looked like they had recently been cleaned. 14. Those girls bathrooms which were unlocked revealed plenty of paper products, a handicapped- accessible stall in each, and receptacles for sanitary products disposal in each stall. 15. The gymnasium was clean and the locker rooms for both sexes were fairly clean. In the gym, students were actively participating in a lesson. Areas needing attention: 1. 2. 3. 4, 5. 6. 7. The driveway between the gym and the main building has a serious drainage problem. The cement was badly eroded and crumbling in one area and water was standing in another area. The building has a serious problem with roof leaks. A teacher in one classroom had placed a container in the middle of the floor to catch drips
the classroom next door had serious water stains and damaged walls from leaks in the roof. In the media center, a recurrent roof leak has resulted in an area of damaged ceiling tiles. Quite a bit of trash littered the second floor, and the trash cans were small and relatively inconspicuous. Fire extinguishers were missing from their receptacles on the first and second floors. Some water fountains were not working. The boys locker room did not have a bathroom. A leak from the ceiling left a puddle in the middle of the floor. Graffiti filled the shower stalls and covered the walls. The showers obviously had not been used in some time. Page 68. According to one teacher, the buildings opaque windows have made it impossible to conduct 9. a science project involving plant growth. The clock on the second floor hall was turned on its side and was not working. 10. Other than the first-floor displays items relating to black history and a couple of bulletin board 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. displays in the basement, we saw almost no student work or other displays in the halls. We noted an obvious contrast between the lively and inviting first floor displays, which represented the international magnet theme, and the starkness of the second and third floors. Spot observations in several classrooms revealed that some had lots of student work and multicultural materials displayed, while others were bare to the point that it was impossible to determine what subject matter was taught in the room. One teacher pointed out that she had cleared her bulletin board in preparation for Black History Month, In several classrooms, teachers were late or altogether missing
some rooms had substitutes. In some classes, students were not on task and teachers were not teaching. In one classroom, the teacher was playing board games with the students. During a class change, we saw very few teachers monitoring the second floor in high traffic areas where a large number of students congregated, causing crowding and a high noise level. Numerous students remained in the halls weU after the tardy bell, yet no adults were encouraging them to hurry on to class. Girls Restrooms 17. 18. The restrooms on the second and third levels were locked. According to a couple of students, girls had to use the facilities on the first floor or in the basement. The two open restrooms had some graffiti, including racial slurs. Only one of the restrooms had a bar of soap. In the restroom which had two sinks, only one set of faucets was working. One restroom was littered with discarded tampon applicators. Numerous wads of toilet paper dotted the ceiling and upper walls. Boys Restrooms 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. None of the boys restrooms were truly handicapped-accessible. The odor of urine permeated the first floor restroom. None of the toilets appeared to have been flushed at all during the day, even though all of the toilets were functioning properly. Only one of the two sinks worked and water ran constantly in that one. While the room had no graffiti, quite a bit of trash was on the floor. The stalls lacked doors, and no paper towels or toilet paper were available. The second floor restroom featured a clean floor, very little graffiti, and functioning toilets and sinks. However, no paper towels or toilet paper were stocked, and the odor from the restroom was strong even in the hallway. The third floor restroom lacked toilet paper and paper towels. The stalls had no doors and one toilet was missing a seat. Neither sink functioned. The restroom floor was clean and the walls had no graffiti. The wood sill was missing from one of the windows, causing the surrounding plaster to erode. The basement level restroom was relatively clean and lacked graffiti, but neither toilet paper nor paper towels were in the room. All urinals and toilets functioned normally, but the sink faucets werent working, and none of the toilet stalls had doors. Page 7FOREST HEIGHTS JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Date: January 28, 1995 We were please to find: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. The grounds in front of the building were clean, well-maintained, and litter-free, giving the school a well-groomed and inviting appearance. The reception area was amply staffed and the people serving the desk were friendly and helpful. The cafeteria was spacious and clean, designed to promote a smooth flow of traffic. The girls restrooms in the new building were very clean and well-supplied with paper products and soap. The girls restroom next to the entrance of the main building was spotless. Even in the older part of the building (including the girls locker room), we saw no graffiti or litter in the girls restrooms. The boys restroom on the main floor was clean, had paper towels, and hot and cold water. The boys restroom on the lower level was clean and had paper towels. AU of the lockers were free of graffiti and the areas around the lockers were clean and free of litter. Although it was a cold day, all of the areas we visited, including classrooms and bathrooms in the old buildings, were adequately heated. As a Partner in Education with the school, the Department of Health pays half the salary for the services of a full-time nurse. 10. The pupil services area was spacious, well-equipped, and had its own entry from the outside, which facilitates privacy. 11. During class changes, the students were exuberant, friendly, and orderly. 12. Students and faculty exhibited a lot of school spirit by wearing items with the school name or logo, or by wearing clothing representing the school colors. Areas needing attention: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. The old buildings not used for classrooms are being used as dumping groimds for surplus or discarded items from other LRSD schools. The old materials and equipment are strewn about the rooms in a haphazard and dangerous manner. Due to leaks in the roofs, some of the stored items had gotten wet and damaged. Also, some chairs and a large storage shelf were lying on the walkways between the old buildings. The old, unused buildings are still supplied with electricity and gas. Apparently, vandals can get in and out of these buildings at will. According to the principal, several break-ins had already occurred. On the day of our visit, we noted a lot of graffiti, including gang signs, on many of the bulletin boards in those buildings. The principal assured us that, as of the week before the visit, the boards were clean. If the district is not going to use these buildings productively for community outreach and services, the principal would like them razed for a parking area. The area between the old and new parts of the campus receives a lot of runoff from the roofs of the old buildings. When the water freezes, the walkways between the buildings become concrete-and-ice slides. In the music wing, we saw several mounds of paper and some boxed materials stacked against the walls. Perhaps the wing needs more storage space or some additional storage units. Although the cafeteria was clean, the windows were stained and marked by old masking tape residue. (The same was true for all of the windows in the old buildings, such as the tech wing.) Replacing the windows would make the facility a lot more attractive. Page 86. 7. 8. 9. 10. The floor in the gymnasium had some water damage, which the principal said had occurred during the remodeling. One of the sinks in the girls locker room was inoperable, and the sinks needed a good scrubbing. The personal hygiene product dispenser was empty, but the principal explained that the nurse dispensed such items free of charge. Although the showers appeared to be unused, the principal assured us that they were operable. The boys locker room was dirty and none of the showers worked. The facility had an odor that was foul, even for a locker room. Many of the classrooms had no significant displays of student-generated work or displays relating to a particular subject, making it difficult or impossible to determine the subject taught in the room. The media center had some computers, but the technology was outdated and the system lacked automatic cataloging and check-out. 11. The magazine shelves and some of the resource book shelves either had only a few or no 12. 13. materials on them. Infusion of multicultural materials in the classrooms was spotty at best. The few displays we noted were skimpy. Several teachers stayed in their classrooms during the class change, significantly reducing the number of adults in the halls to supervise students. Girls restrooms 14. The restrooms lacked receptacles for the disposal of personal hygiene products. Boys Restrooms 15. 16. 17. The restroom by room 703 had just one commode, and a foul odor permeated the room. It had toilet paper, but no paper towels. Even the boys restrooms that were clean had unpleasant odors, as did the staffs bathroom. The floor in the restroom by the gym was dirty and two bare wires were exposed. Page 9HENDERSON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Date: January 24, 1995 We were pleased to note: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. The large Henderson sign stood in a neatly landscaped planting area that included seasonal annuals U.S. and Arkansas flags were properly displayed. On the icy day when we visited, salt material had been spread in front of the building for ice control and safety in shaded areas. The main area of the media center was quite attractive. The neutral-colored carpet was clean and in good repair. Workers had repaired some ceilings leaks that we had noted during an earlier visit. A bulletin board in the office area contained displays both thanking current volunteers and appealing for additional workers. Lockers throughout the building were in good repair, neatly painted, and free of graffiti. Security guards and resource officers were visible throughout the building. Several halls were brightened by displays of student class work and projects. The LRSD mission statement and goals were posted in the entry area of the school. Areas needing attention: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7, 8. 9. A drainage problem was apparent. AU of the downspouts drain next to the building. On the south side of the facility, the water has eroded ruts down beside each of the steps. On the north side, rocks control some of the erosion, but the wash is still present. On both sides of the building, the water runs over sidewaUcs into the parking and drive area. In rainy weather, a pedestrian would have to walk through some deep water and in freezing weather, the area will stay iced. The areas north, east, and south of the building were marred by paper and cans. The loading dock area was surrounded by discarded equipment, chairs, paper, cans, and other miscellaneous refuse. In the west courtyard, paper, trash, cans, cartons, and a broken pot in the walkway were unsightly Major rust marred the window sills along the west side of the west courtyard. The paint over the south door and east upper wall in the west courtyard was chipped and cracked. Corridors and other areas of building showed evidence of overhead leaks and other moisture problems. We frequently spotted trash during walks down the hallways. While the floor tiles throughout the building were generally in good repair and free of debris, they did not appear to have been washed or waxed in some time. Staff members expressed anxiety about the schools wiring and ventilation. Ventilation was a concern to staff because a number of them had been experiencing respiratory problems. They have questioned the wiring because the bulbs in the AV equipment often blow out prematurely. 10. While the general appearance of the library was very neat and attractive, several adjoining areas needed attention. Library conference room #19 had damaged paint from a ceiling leak and room #12, which is the AV storage area, showed evidence that moisture had damaged the ceiling and one wall. 11. AU the waU and trim paint in the cafeteria or surrounding area was either grimy-looking or chipped. The downstairs haU area near the cafeteria included a battered table with a ratty, damaged formica top. 12. The areas around the cafeteria windows showed evidence of leakage problems. 13. Trash was present throughout the gym area. Page 1014. Paper, cans, discarded books, equipment, power cords, and broken chairs were strewn about the stage area of the gymnasium. The ceiling above both sets of bleachers showed evidence of major water damage, and some ceiling material was hanging down. 15. The hallway to the boys locker was piled with trash and dust mops. 16. A loose hand rail on the south side of the east end of the gymnasium needed tightening 17. The girls locker room area was very grim. Only the front half of the space was lighted, but the existing illumination revealed a very unkempt and unsanitary locker room. The bathroom area was filthy, and one of the commodes was stopped up, filled with waste and a sanitary pad, and smelled very bad. Apparently the shower area has not been used for a number of years. The showers were 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. dark, and the floor was littered with old clothes, boxes, and assorted trash. On the cabinet which contained the water pressure gauge, door latch was broken and the door stood open. The boys locker room was filled with graffiti, some gang-related. The floors were dirty and the toilet seats filthy. The showers, which didnt appear to have been used in recent years, were filled with various discarded items and equipment, such as coat hangers, a broken basketball goal, etc. The floor drain in the changing area was blocked with an unidentifiable substance. The temperature in the entire locker room area was cold. The students were extremely loud during class change. The halls echoed with the students shouts as they slowly made their way to class. We observed several adults in the hall, but they appeared to be changing classes also, and made no effort to ensure order. One female staff member did shout to the group to hurry on to class, but no one seemed to pay any attention. After the bell rang, quite a few unhurried students remained in the halls. Girls Restrooms The restroom near the office contained aU supplies, but it was messy. Paper towels littered the sinks and overflowed the waste basket. The walls were covered with obscene graffiti that had been scratched into rather new-looking paint. Some paint which was splashed on the sinks attested to prior efforts to paint to over the graffiti. Although it was not clean, the blue tile floor was in good condition. Both doors to the restroom located near the cafeteria were locked, denying students access. None of the restrooms had hot water. According to staff members, only the cafeteria and the nurses office had hot water for hand washing. Boys Restrooms The restroom at the west end of the south hallway was filled with graffiti. The veneer was broken off the door edge and bottom. Water, standing on the floor in front of all three urinals, extended approximately two to three feet from the wall. The vanity around the sinks was filthy and the restroom lacked toilet paper and paper towels. The stalls had doors, but they were badly bent. All three toilet seats were filthy and the area was permeated by a foul stench. There was no hot water, and lights above the toilet area werent functioning. The restroom at the east end of the south hallway was also replete with graffiti. The exit door was locked. Only two of the three toilets functioned properly. The front panel of the vanity had been removed and, with its nails exposed, was sitting near the toilet stalls. Although all three stalls had toilet paper, no paper towels were in the restroom. Page 11MABELVALE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Date: January 26, 1995 We were pleased to find: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. The exterior appeal of the school had been greatly enhanced by the newly constructed entrance and pavilion that have been centered in the front of the building. The structure and roofline of the pavilion pay visual homage to the traditional schoolhouse silhouette. The school was very clean. Breezeways, courtyards, and areas at the periphery of the campus were all free of litter. We noted trash barrels, neatly lined with plastic, every few yards along the length of each breezeway. No graffiti was present in or around the building. All bathrooms throughout the school were very clean, functional, open to students, and fully supplied. Most of the lockers looked neat and attractive due to a new coat of taupe paint applied by staff members during the summer of 1994, Security personnel were highly visible on the campus. The gym and locker rooms, while old and not particularly attractive, were well kept. All areas of the gym and locker rooms were clean. The main hallway included displays of student work, various trophies, and the academic honor roll. While the media center was not large, it included an extensive collection of books and displays of student work. Students and staff were helpful and friendly. All classrooms were clearly labeled with each teachers name and the room number. During the class change, all teachers were on duty and encouraged students to hurry to classes. Adults continually informed students of the time remaining for class changes, A couple of students who lagged behind responded politely to final warnings about tardiness and then rushed to their classes. Areas needing attention: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Neither the U.S. nor Arkansas flags were displayed from the flagpole. Some of the renovation completed this summer has not held up well at all. The skylights in the front passageway leak, causing deterioration of the ceiling material and trim paint. Newly installed metal bathroom fixtures appear corroded after only a few months of use. Major cracks run through the new concrete installed at the entry to the building. The district did not provide landscaping when they redesigned the entrance
as a result, the entry looks rather barren. The principal said she was working to find funds to landscape the entrance area. The area behind the main building has a serious problem with runoff and drainage. During period of heavy rain, water cascades through exterior passage ways. Monitors saw a pile of sand bags at the ready in one hall. The district has worked to improve drainage, but the problem has not been alleviated. Two banks of lockers remain to be painted
compared to the other lockers with their fresh paint, these looked very grimy. The portable classrooms were not in the best of shape. Most needed some paint, and some had holes in the underskirts or outer walls. The principal reported that district workers were performing some maintenance on these buildings on the day of our visit. Some electrical wires were hanging rather low in the outdoor passageways, perhaps as a result of some roofing and electrical work that was in progress. However, these wires pose a hazard and should be safely secured as soon as possible. Page 12MANN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Date: January 30, 1995 We were pleased to find: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. The grounds were nicely landscaped, and a comer of one planter held a patch of blooming pansies. The office was neatly arranged, and a security guard was present at the front door. Visitors could see lists of "Bear Cat Stars" prominently displayed on a wall by the reception counter. The five school rules, three of which were stated in positive terms, were posted in several prominent locations in the hallways. The schools colors were evidenced all over the campus and the school mascot was displayed in several motifs. The student-created murals throughout the building were bright, colorful, and impressive. Two large display cases in the central hallway, and several smaller ones in other parts of the building, were filled with neat and attractive decorative or informational displays. Most of the glass enclosures were clean. Trash receptacles were stationed at various points about the campus. Although we entered no classrooms when class was in session, we briefly observed some from the windows in the classroom doors. We saw that many walls were brightly decorated with interesting displays, and most children were actively engaged in learning activities. Some of the teachers had done an exceptional job of decorating their rooms with materials and displays that focused on cultural and ethnic diversity. Students lockers throughout the building were generally in good shape, with some scratches, dents, marks, and paint streaks here and there. Several concrete benches offered pleasant seating along the walkways in the courtyard. The girls restroom near the main office was clean, contained paper towels and soap, and was free of graffiti. The counselors wing was spacious, contained a waiting area, and appeared to be well-supplied with college catalogues, fact sheets, and resource information. The spacious, well-lit media center was well-supplied with books and materials. On a west wing, the three exterior drinking fountains all worked. The cafeteria was clean and several attractive murals depicted positive scenes or promoted inspirational messages. A very pleasant aroma drifted from the kitchen. Throughout the building, the students and staff we encountered were friendly and helpful. Although a little slow in getting to their doors, teachers were visible in the passageways during class changes to supervise students. Areas Needing Attention: 1. 2. 3. 4, Recent warm weather had caused some grass against the building to grow tall and ragged in several places
it needed trimming. Some paper litter detracted from the appearance of the grounds, both in front of the school and in the hallways. In the main office, the pale blue paint on the walls in the main office was chipping in several places (particularly where chairs had rubbed against it), revealing an ugly brown undercoat. A ceiling tile or two were stained with brown rings from water drainage. A few of the glass display cases in the hallways were dirty and one was marred with a small amount of graffiti. Page 135. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. Most of the doors to the hallways and classrooms had windows, most of which were very dirty
many of them also had ugly tape residue. Many of the rooms were very crowded with desks, file cabinets, student projects, etc. Although we did not look into many classrooms, most of those which we did see had dull, dirty floors. Throughout the building, we noticed several cracks in the concrete walkways and hall floors. In some places, the concrete had worn away, leaving ragged etches, jagged gaps between seams, or sizable holes. A large yellow mechanism, designed to wring out mop heads over a bucket, was very noticeable lying behind one of the benches in the courtyard. Paint on the underside of the building overhangs and walkway covers was badly peeling in many places. The building appeared to have no water drainage system to direct mnoff from the roof
so, in several places, water from recent rains was running down I-beams and poles or dripping off the edge of the building. Metal signs hung at several spots around the building, admonishing visitors to obtain a pass from the principals office. All were badly msted and most were bent and battered. Throughout the building, gates were wide open and many exterior doors were accessible from outside, posing a risk of unauthorized entrance to the campus and buildings. At least one classroom door was unlocked. The health room was locked and dark. We learned that the nurse was not scheduled to be on campus the day we visited. The cafeteria floor was swept, but scuffed and dull. We noticed several water-stained ceiling tiles along the west wall of the cafeteria. The water fountain outside the cafeteria did not work. Near the art rooms, some ceiling tiles were ajar and several small tiles were missing. In a north wing, the back door to an area at the northeast, which houses electrical equipment, was standing open and was unattended. Several old school district books were stacked on a power plant, and boxes and other miscellaneous stuff had accumulated in this area. A car was backed up to the open door. A paint can was overturned on the ground near the door, the stump of a small tree or shrub was freshly painted with white paint, and the wet paint was splattered messily on the grass. 17. Some teachers were eager to tell us of their concerns about classrooms over-crowded with 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. students, and a custodial worker complained that the school needed more custodians. The media center was carpeted in an attractive, soft blue covering that, although free of spots, was Uttered with scraps of paper and needed vacuuming. A cover over one light fixture was lose and hung precariously, and one ceiling tile was ajar. On the walk between the main building and the English annex, a large area of concrete had deteriorated and held a big puddle of water. The water appeared to have overflowed from a drainage ditch which contained largely stagnant water. The ditch contained considerable plant Ufe, so it apparently held water at least much of the time. Twin tire ruts had been cut deeply into the wet lawn near this area. In the alley between the main building and English annex, a sizable section of the paving was crumbled and sunken and held a large puddle of standing water. Most of the exterior hall floors in the annex were dirty and gritty and needed sweeping. Several of the hall floors had sticky substances that looked like spilled soft drinks, and needed wetmopping. The exterior of one of the three main doors at the front of the English annex was badly peeled at the edge, and the paint on all three was faded. The windows in these doors were dirty. 23. The floors in the annex were dull and scuffed and some needed energetic scrubbing. Some floor tiles were broken, especially at structural joints in the hallways. Page 1424. 25. 26. 27. 28. In the annex, wiring (some of which appeared to be for computer links) was draped along the walls and ceilings. One wire, which extended from type of sensor, was missing part of its insulating covering. In the annex, we found two sets of twin water fountains, but only one head in each was hooked to a water source. Water pressure in one of the fountains was so low that it was impossible to drink from it. Classroom doors in the annex had metal air exchange vents on their lower half
most of these grills were badly bent and discolored. Several of the exterior doors in the annex (other than the three at the main entrance) could be opened from the outside. All of the door windows were dirty and several had tape residue. Outside the rear doors of the annex were two walls where chalkboard erasers had been clapped against them, leaving a white powdery residue. In this area, five student desks (with chairs attached) were arranged in a circle around cardboard boxes. The boxes contained empty soft drink cans, cigarette butts, and miscellaneous trash. A little further on, next to an exterior east wall was another desk-chair and a small pile of broken wood that apparently had been discarded there. The grass in this area was becoming overgrown. Girls Restrooms 29. 30. The condition and appearance of the restrooms, as well as their supplies, were uneven. Most of them needed a good scrubbing. Some of them had plenty of toilet paper, while others had little or none. All of the restrooms had paper towels. Some had no soap, but where it was funushed, it was restricted to only one bar. None of the restrooms had hot water, and in some cases, water pressure was inadequate, thereby reducing the likelihood that the one bar of soap would be used. A student in one restroom said she could not depend on the room having toilet paper, so usually brought some from home. Inadequate custodial care resulted in dirty mirrors, smeared cleanser residue, and bumed-out light bulbs or missing covers for light fixtures. Some of the stalls had graffiti on the walls, one stall had no door, and another bore an "out of order" sign due to damage. The use of strong cleaning compounds had badly discolored the countertops around some of the sinks, and in several cases, the caulking around the sinks had deteriorated or was completely missing. The cabinets surrounding some of the sinks were battered, and some were missing pieces of veneer or exhibited other signs of mistreatment. Boys restrooms 31. Except for the restroom used by the staff, which was kept locked, the restrooms were devoid of soap, paper towels, or toilet paper. A monitor described one of the restrooms as "the worst ever" of those weve monitored, which is a strongly negative assessment. The restroom near the cafeteria was locked. Foul odors, dirty floors, and the lack of general supplies made a trip to the restroom an act of desperation for male students. Page 15Date: PULASKI HEIGHTS JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL January 30, 1995 We were pleased to find: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 1. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. The U.S. and Arkansas flags were properly displayed on the flagpole. Some landscaping work was in progress along the west side of the building, while at the same time, workers in that area were applying sealant to the area around the cafeteria windows. The entry hall was filled with signs of school life. Monitors saw two signs praising volunteers, a notice about LRSD registration dates, a bulletin board on learning teams, PTA announcements, the honor roll, and a display of photographs highlighting a special scouting event. All drinking fountains were operating and had good pressure. The red tile corridors were clean and shiny. While student lockers were not immaculate, all were free of graffiti and in good repair. The white vinyl floors surrounding the media center were very clean and looked recently waxed. Bulletin boards in the hall near the media center featured displays related to each of the schools six learning teams. Each display was colorful, attractive, and promoted positive team spirit. The boys restrooms were clean, free of graffiti and litter, and the toilets and urinals were functioning normally. Besides being clean and free of odor, the restroom on the upper floor had good lighting and water pressure. The walls were clean and the floor condition was acceptable. The inside of the gymnasium was bright and attractive
the stands and court area contained only a small amount of paper and trash. During the PE session, the students were organized, dressed- out, and participated in the activity. Adults provided plenty of observation and supervision. The boys locker room on the lower level was open and in use. The painted areas were clean and free of graffiti, and the lighting was acceptable. During the class change, teachers were at their doors and students were orderly. Adults reminded stragglers to hurry up, and students cautioned each other about being late. School personnel propped the exterior doors open for the class change and closed and secured the doors immediately after classes resumed. Outside, most of the students were orderly during their walk to and from the portables. The exterior of the portable buildings appeared to be in good condition. We saw several students putting trash in the conveniently located barrels during the class change, Areas needing attention: 1. 2. 3. 4. The narrow, two-sided planter, which is parallel to the brick and concrete sign that bears the school name, has not been weeded in some time, as attested by the privet, seedling trees, and other weeds that grow there. The sign sits in the midst of a planted area that is partially set apart by plastic edging, much of which has worked up out of the ground. The bark ground cover in this area has broken down and shifted, exposing bare ground and the black plastic weed shield, which sticks up in unsightly tatters and shreds. The grass in much of the area on the west side has been trafficked away, leaving large patches of bare dirt. In the north parking area, a large water-filled hole was in the dirt area by the front drive, starkly contrasting with the landscape work on the other side of the drive. Entry rugs were trashy-looking and askew, and numerous pieces of paper and trash littered the floor. Page 165. 6. 7. 8. 9. Outside the main entrance, a large amount of trash cluttered the parking area and walkway, mainly paper, cups, food, and cans. Outside the gymnasium, the north and east areas were very trashy. The north was cluttered with beer bottles, paper, cups, and cans. A trash can was three-quarters full, and obviously had not recently been emptied, because refuse inside was wet from weekend rain. Both fence lines along the east were littered with paper, cans, cups, and assorted junk. The roof gutters and downspout on the east side empty onto the walkway, causing water damage around the buildings footing and the steps to the athletic field. The east basketball courts were littered with paper, cans, cups, and assorted junk. The areas around the dumpsters were littered with excessive trash and broken glass. Next to this area, an employee sat in a yellow district maintenance van and appeared to be asleep. 10. Some of the airflow vents under the gym were missing, leaving holes into the crawl space. 11. 12. 13. We noted some damaged interior plaster walls in the south end of the building. While the walls in the main building have undergone some repair work, several walls in the back section showed evidence of moisture problems resulting in peeling paint and flaking plaster. An archway near the in-school suspension area was in very poor shape, and the terrazzo floor below the arch had a wide crack. The area around the west door to the building was heavily cluttered with cigarette butts, an old broken wooden ladder, and a shoe. 14. The exterior west wall had a one-inch hole which needs patching to prevent additional water damage. Serious water damage exists on the area of the interior wall near the entrance to the cafeteria. The west wall also had one area of graffiti which needs to be removed immediately. 15. 16. 17. Trash lay all around the portable buildings. The steps leading to the cafeteria were pitched steeply, yet there were no non-skid runners or non-skid paint on the steps. Cookies and diced peaches were neatly placed on tables in the cafeteria
however, neither staff nor students were watching over the food to assure that it remained free of contaminants until consumed. 18. Several fluorescent tubes were missing, adding to the oppressive mood of the cafeteria. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. In the auditorium, ceiling tiles were damaged by water leaks. In the balcony ceiling, a couple of damaged tiles were hanging threateningly over the seats. Throughout the auditorium, paint and plaster were peeling, particularly on the west wall. The auditorium was quite warm even though it was not in use. Additionally, several windows were open, and it appeared that they usually remain that way. The middle section of the balcony guard rail was missing. The stage appeared to be set up for choir rehearsal. Sheet music and trash were strewn aimlessly around the stage and on the risers. Two sets of mobile steps provided access to the stage from the front. However, both sets had loose molding on the edges of individual steps, which could lead to a serious fall since the steps didnt have rails. Trash was on the floor level of the auditorium-most of it around the trash barrel! The stage drapery was worn
background drapes were literally tattered in places Four overhead lights in the auditorium were not functioning properly. The showers in the boys locker room had not been used for some time, judging from the dusty, undisturbed exercise mats and used equipment that were stored there. Only one teacher was standing outside watching the class change between the main building and the portables. Other than custodians dumping trash, we saw no other adults observing the class change outside. Several students were cursing loudly on their way to a portable. Page 1729. 30. 31. About 15 to 20 straggling students were still in the hall after the tardy bell sounded, but all appeared to be going slowly to class. In some hallways, tape loops were left hanging on the walls above the lockers. Throughout the building, a number of exit lights were not functioning. Girls Restrooms 32. The restrooms were usable, free of odors, and contained paper products, but most lacked soap. The third floor restroom had a large section of missing tiles, and all the tiled areas would benefit from a good scrubbing. All the toilets appeared clean. On the second floor, graffiti marred the plexiglass restroom window. The tile work in the second floor bore the remains of a sloppy paintjob. Boys Restrooms 33. The fourth floor and third floor restrooms lacked soap, toilet paper, and paper towels. Although each of the two restrooms had three sinks, one set of faucets in each room didnt work. Page 18SOUTHWEST JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Date: February 2, 1995 We were pleased to find: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. The grounds in front of the building and along the driveway were nicely landscaped with several mature trees and shrubs. Several plots of pansies added color to the dull winter colors of the season. The e?cterior of the building was in good condition, and the grounds were fairly free of litter. The school had an ample number of water fountains and all of them worked. A student ambassador greeted us at the front entrance, but she thought we were from the superintendents office. The superintendent and some of his staff were scheduled to meet with some of the districts student leaders. A sign, proclaiming the Veterans Hospital as a Partner in Education, was prominently displayed in the entry way. Students had access to a very large field for sports and recess activities. The new lockers in the hallways helped to brighten the schools appearance, and the new science stations in the science rooms looked great. Also the hallways had been recently repainted, which helped divert attention from the brick wall surfaces that needed cleaning. The gym floor and bleachers were in good condition. Except for the floor, the surface areas such as tables and chairs in the cafeteria were clean, and a very pleasant aroma wafted from the kitchen area. For the most part, the girls restrooms had an adequate supply of paper products, and were free of graffiti. All the boys restrooms were fairly clean, and had doors on the stalls. Many of the classrooms had excellent displays of student work and multicultural materials. A brightly decorated bulletin board in the main hall enhanced the area. Many of the hall bulletin boards contained excellent displays of student work. Security was very visible in the halls both during class changes and while classes were in session. Adults were highly visible during class changes, and students moved rapidly and in an orderly fashion to their classes. The students we encountered were very pleasant, mannerly, and helpful. Areas needing attention: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. The beautifully landscaped area in front of the building is obscured by the many cars parked around the circular drive in areas not designed for parking. Several cars and trucks were double parked, blocking the driveway. Large pot holes, standing water, and uneven surfaces have kept staff members from using the schools unpaved parking lot. The flag pole was devoid of flags. Several small pieces of litter were scattered throughout the hallways. All of the halls had several broken floor tiles
in some areas the damage was extensive. Some of the ceiling panels were missing or discolored. Some graffiti marred the paint as well as the brick surfaces in the halls. The building has many badly scratched plexiglass windows, which are unsightly and detract from an otherwise favorable first impression of the buildings exterior. The cafeteria, which has only one window, was poorly lit and looked gloomy and dull. Although we saw several waste baskets placed in the hallways, the containers were too small to hold the amount of trash placed in them, creating overflow and unsightly areas of litter. Page 197. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. One of the covered walkways had a ceiling that was falling in, due to severe water damage. In this same area, the light over the outside door was missing. The fire extinguisher was missing from its case in the technical classes wing. A tour of the gym revealed several deficiencies with the facility, such as: the absence of a door between the boys locker room and the gym floor
a lack of hot water in the bathroom
and, even though the coach said he had two handicapped individuals, none of the stalls were handicapped- accessible. The missing door between the gym and locker created a situation where individuals in the bleachers or on the gym floor could catch glimpses of boys in various states of undress. In this regard, the coach acknowledged that the boys had to sprint across the locker room in order to avoid being seen partially dressed. The coach asserted that some boys did not care if they were seen semi-dressed. A water pipe running along the waU above the boys and girls locker rooms was very unsightly. Several sections of this pipe were missing insulation and, according to the coach, the pipe could become quite hot. Water leakage on the outside of the health room has created a large stain down the side of the wall, and algae is growing there. The floor of the cafeteria had a moderate amount of trash, including some dropped cookies and milk cartons. When we walked through 45 minutes later, a sticky residue (which appeared to be miUc) was still on the floor, along with the cookies. The counselors wing did not have space for group counseling and the faculty rest room was in the counselors wing. The counselors offices were very small
when a counselor has a student and must close the door, the space becomes almost claustrophobic. No counseling or health pamphlets, resource materials, or other handouts were visible. The same area housed the health office, and the two facilities shared a common small waiting area. The nurse is in the building only three days a week, but was not in the office when we toured the building. Some classrooms had new science stations, but the addition of these labs has compromised space and created a storage problem. Many large items were crammed in the rooms, such as TV monitors and several large crates and boxes. The TV monitors need to be relocated, because the students could see them from their seats. The weather during our visit was warm, and the classrooms were uncomfortably warm and stuffy. Special education students attended class in a portable building that was not handicapped- accessible, nor did it have a covered walkway between it and the main building. The top wooden step on the stairs, which led to the classroom, was rotten and chipped. On another portable, which sat next to the special education unit, the paint and veneer on the door was peeling. Special education students are isolated from the main population for a large part of the day. We noted evidence of water damage to the concrete landing, which was in front of the door to the main building, that led to the portables. The landing was chipped and worn over a substantial area. The wooden frame around the landing door showed evidence of damage from termites or water. Several of the outside doors needed replacement because of serious damage and decay, such as broken-out bottoms. The prefab building, which housed two separate classes in algebra and learning foundations, had a ramp on only one end. As a result, students needing access to the class without the ramp had to go through the class with the ramp. Such a situation could be disruptive to the teacher and students in the ramp-accessible classroom. Page 2022, 23. A couple of rooms were unattended after the class change. In one of the rooms, the students were reading or talking quietly, but in the other, students were much louder and on the verge of being disruptive. In another classroom frill of students, all of whom were girls, the children were either doing nothing or chatting with one another. An adult male stood in the front of the room, doing absolutely nothing other than standing. When we observed the same room 15 minutes later, we saw the identical scene. 24. Classroom detention lists were displayed in the hall and on a classroom door. Such a practice violates a students privacy and could be viewed as a source of public humiliation. Girls Restrooms 25. 26. Most of the restrooms did not have any soap, had dirty sinks, lacked stalls for the handicapped, and needed painting. The restrooms lacked receptacles for sanitary products, and the waste baskets were inadequate for the amount of trash generated. One restroom had a very unpleasant odor. The counselors mentioned a persistent foul odor from another restroom, which was located in their wing. Apparently the restroom lacked an exhaust system. Boys Restrooms 27. The restrooms contained no toilet paper until it was noted that we were in the building
then a custodian put one roll of toilet paper and fewer than a dozen paper towels in the rack in the front restroom. One restroom had a handicapped-accessible stall, but it was devoid of toilet paper. Page 21
This project was supported in part by a Digitizing Hidden Special Collections and Archives project grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and Council on Library and Information Resoources.