SWAT visits

1999 School Visit Schedule Tuesday, August 24 Sherwood El. Pinewood El. Sylvan Hills El. Jacksonville Middle & Jr. Jacksonville High A A B B A&B ^-Hall High - Pulaski Heights Middle Wednesday, September 1 A&B Horace, Gene Wednesday, August 25 Baker El. Lawson El. --ALC S* and Apperson Williams Magnet El. txFair High A A B B A&B Lakewood El. Parkhill El. Poplar Street Middle Crestwood El. NLRHS West A A B B A&B Thursday, September 2 Thursday, August 26 '-Mitchell El. ^ibbs Magnet El. (xParkview Magnet High *-<}entral High A B A&B A&B --Southwest Middle -AVilson El. X^loverdale Middle AMabelvale Middle -AdcClellan High A A B B A&B Team A: Horace and Melissa Team B Gene and Margie Friday, August 27 Fuller Junior Mills Margie, Mel. Margie, Mel. I Monday, August 30 Tolleson El. Arnold Drive El. PCSSD Alternative Jacksonville Alternative North Pulaski High Tuesday, August 31 Forest Heights Middle "Henderson Middle "IJorace Mann Middle HDunbar Middle A A B B A&B A A B B1999 School Visit Schedule Tuesday, August 24 Wednesday, September 1 Sherwood El. Pinewood El. Sylvan Hills El. lacksonville Middle & Ir. lacksonville High A A B B A&B Baker El. Lawson El. ALC 8 and Apperson Williams Magnet El. Fair High A A B B A&B Wednesday, August 25 Thursday, September 2 Lakewood El. Parkhill El. Poplar Street Middle Crestwood El. NLRHS West A A B B A&B Mitchell El. Gibbs Magnet El. Parkview Magnet High Central High A B A&B A&B Thursday, August 26 Team A: Horace and Melissa Team B: Gene and Margie Southwest Middle Wilson El. Cloverdale Middle Mabelvale Middle McClellan High A A B B A&B Friday, August 27 WRITING DAY Monday, August 30 Tolleson El. Arnold Drive El. PCSSD Alternative North Pulaski High A A B A&B Tuesday, August 31 Forest Heights Middle Henderson Middle Horace Mann Middle Dunbar Middle Hall High A A B B A&BOffice 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 27, 1999 Dr. Les Carnine, Superintendent Little Rock School District 810 West Markham Street Little Rock, AR 72201 Dear Les: As you know, each fall as the school year gets underway, ODM briefly and informally monitors some of the schools in all three districts. The observations we make are in the same vein as those of parents, students, and staff as they enter a building to start the new year. That's why we pay attention to the aspects of a school that are most likely to initially impress those entering it, such as the condition of the grounds, building upkeep and cleanliness, displays and furnishings, student and staff conduct, and so forth. This year, during the week beginning August 26\ we dropped in on 18 LRSD schools: Gibbs, Mitchell, Williams, and Wilson Elementaries
all the middle schools (Cloverdale, Dunbar, Forest Heights, Henderson, Mabelvale, Mann, Pulaski Heights, and Southwest)
all the high schools (Central, Fair, Hall, McClellan, and Parkview)
and the Alternative Leaning Center. We did not go into individual classrooms except at Mitchell, where we followed up on some of the observations we had made about the buildings condition this past summer. Attached is a list of what we observed at each school. While we were pleased to note some fine preparations for the beginning of the year, we were disappointed in the number of problems we found and hope the district will move expeditiously to address them. We intend for these comments to give you, your administrators, and the principals of these buildings the benefit of our impressions. Therefore, as has been our custom, we will not publish or file these observations at this time, although we might eventually factor them into some aspect of a report. I hope the enclosed information is helpful. Please dont hesitate to call if you have any questions or comments. Sincerely yours, Ann S. Brown Enc. cc: Sadie Mitchell Building principalsGibbs Foreign Languages/International Studies Magnet Elementary School JEe were pleased to note that: Attractive shrubs and trees surrounded three sides of the building, creating a welcoming atmosphere for students and visitors. The large, paved play area in back of the building contained well-maintained playground equipment and basketball courts. Sturdy metal benches attached to the back wall of the building were convenient to the playground. Consistent with the schools international studies magnet theme, the interior halls were decorated with flags of foreign countries. One display read Welcome in several languages. Another, in a glass case, featured the culture of Greece. The small media center was attractively furnished and offered six on-line computers for students to use. The book collection was inviting and the reference collection was up to date. The cafeteria floor was clean and waxed and furnishings were in good repair. Restrooms were clean and well supplied. Mini-posters in the girls restrooms provided helpful hygiene reminders, and the girls restroom in the intermediate wing had a disposal for feminine hygiene products. We also noted some areas that needed attention: No flags were flying from the flagpole. The gate on the fence around the play area was in disrepair and compromised the security it was designed to provide. Three portable buildings housed some of the instructional programs. The cafeteria ceiling was cluttered with detached wires, once used for hanging displays, that created an unsightly appearance. Stacks of folding chairs were propped against the wall in the cafeteria. Many of the ceiling tiles in the cafeteria were broken, loose, cracked, or tom. The kitchen was very small and crowded. Serving carts and other equipment exacerbated already crowded conditions in kitchen traffic areas. Missing floor tiles behind the cafeteria serving line created a safety hazard, and a black, gooey substance was oozing through the floor tiles near the pantry. The dishwasher was broken, forcing the staff to use paper plates. The odor of natural gas emitted from the oven. A cafeteria worker explained that the pilot light would not stay lit. Some of the stall doors were missing in both of the girls restrooms that we monitored. Stall doors in one girls restroom were defaced with graffiti. One of the sinks in a girls restroom appeared to be on the verge of sliding down the wall. Holes and gouges in the wall tile, coupled with poor attempts to cover some of them with a cement-like substance, made the girls restrooms very unattractive. Girls restrooms were not handicapped accessible.Mitchell Elementary School We were pleased to note that: The campus was free of litter, and district workers were repairing a damaged section of the chain link fence that borders Roosevelt Road. An easel in the foyer displayed a group portrait of the school staff. Attractive bulletin boards, flags, and banners brightened the entryway. Floors were clean, waxed, and shiny, and the carpeting throughout the building was generally clean and in good condition. The principal indicated that the director, as well as workers from the LRSD Facility Services Department, had been to the school to evaluate the buildings problems. According to the principal, new covers were being ordered for the flourescent light fixtures. Students evacuated the building in an orderly fashion during a fire drill. The media center was well lit and attractively decorated with various book displays. A single computer station provided access to the Internet for staff or student research. A bulletin board outside the cafeteria recognized all student birthdays for the month of August. We also noted some areas needing attention: No flags were flying from the school flagpole. A very strong, unpleasant odor permeated the area where an addition adjoined the original structure. The principal said that district workers had called an exterminator to deal with an infestation of bats in the attic, which presumably was causing the strong smell. The exterminator was expected to eliminate the bat population and remove any carcases. Overflowing water, apparently from clogged gutters, had damaged the roof overhang and decorative brackets. The covered walkway between the main building and the four-year-old classroom had a damaged roof. The roofing shingles were missing, and the exposed decking was rotten in some spots. A large tree limb had fallen to the ground near the K-1 building. The air conditioning in a portion of the building was not working
only four of six upstairs rooms were cooled. Paint was peeling from the ceilings in passageways throughout the building, and several classrooms had paint peeling from their ceilings. Room 103 had serious water damage to the southwest comer of the room. Room 204, which is directly above 103, had water damage on its south wall. The math room, which is in the addition attached to the main building, had water damaged walls. Pronounced water damage was evident in the stairwell at the north end of the building. A large section of plaster had fallen away, revealing the underlying brick. The surrounding area also showed signs of water damage
paint peeling back to bare wood, eroding plaster, and wood rot. The hall carpet at the top of the stairs was frayed and loose. In the four-year-old classroom and some rooms in the K-1 building, the carpet was stained, worn, and unsightly.Mitchell Elementary School Page 2 The hall paint was worn in spots. The hall ceiling above the library office area was marred by a large metal plate that had been attached to cover, rather than correct, some ceiling problems. The media center, though clean and attractive, was extremely small and crowded. Carpet near the windows was tom and the ceiling showed residual stains from leaks. The cafeteria floor near the waste barrels was wet with milk from breakfast. The textured ceiling in the cafeteria was in a deplorable state with areas where the textured material was entirely missing and others where the material hung perilously over the tables. The girls restroom on the second floor landing lacked soap, was not accessible to the handicapped, had one sink with very low water pressure, and the toilet paper rolls were simply propped up rather than being placed on the roller. The boys restroom on the second floor landing still had an odor problem, which has been chronic.Williams Traditional Magnet School We -were pleased to note that: The large playground surrounding the school offered many options for student recreation, including a soccer field, paved play area with well-maintained play equipment, a grassy hillside, and many trees. Well-tended flowering shrubs decorated the grounds in tfont of the school. The interior corridors were clean and tidy. School displays and potted plants decorated the entry foyer, and cases in the hallways featured interesting exhibits, Attractive banners outside the classrooms identified the teachers. Students were very friendly and quick to offer assistance. The staff were dressed in a very professional manner. The combination of new furniture, good-looking carpet, and an attractive book collection created an inviting media center. The media center had four on-line computers available for student use. The stainless steel appliances in the kitchen sparkled like new. The kitchen ceiling was freshly painted, giving the area a clean, bright appearance. The restrooms were clean and supplied with soap and paper products. We also noted some areas needing attention: The building was not secured, as side entries were unlocked. Both main entries to the building lacked wheelchair ramps. Four portable buildings were in use in the back of the main building. The fibre board underpinning for one was rotted, broken, and unsightly. The area near the folding divider that separated the gym and the cafeteria was cluttered with carts, electric wires, sound equipment, and stacks of folding chairs. The stage was cluttered with folded tables, desks, and boxes. The cafeteria floor was missing several tiles, and the ceiling had several loose tiles. The picnic-style tables were flush with the cafeteria wall at one end, creating possible traffic problems. Rolling carts and large pails impeded traffic circulation in the food preparation and serving areas. One stall in a girls restroom had an out of order sign. Graffiti was present in a girls restroom in the primary wing. The girls restrooms were not handicapped accessible.Wilson Elementary School lEe were pleased to note that: The grass was mowed and the campus was free of litter. Blooming crape myrtles and a neatly edged flower bed enhanced the exterior of the school. The interior floors were clean, waxed, and shiny. The main hall was brightened by three attractive, large murals that had been designed by an LRSD artist and painted by the teachers. A large map of the revised LRSD elementary attendance zones hung near the office. The main office area was attractively decorated, bright, and welcoining. The school secretary greeted visitors in a very warm and engaging fashion. Displays in the media center created an attractive and inviting environment. The media center gave students access to word processing and the Internet. The cafeteria was exceptionally clean and featured a good balance of artificial and natural light. The boys restrooms were very clean and in good repair. We also noted some areas needing attention: No flags were flying from the pole in front of the school. The school had no parking lot for staff or visitors. An asphalt play surface was cracked and covered with tree debris and rocks. The campus included two very bedraggled portable classroom buildings. The portable labeled reading clinic had a hole in its metal shell and the metal skirting was ripped and loose. The P.E. class for four-year-olds was being conducted in a developmentally inappropriate manner. The instructor spoke to the children harshly, continually reprimanding them and shaking his finger at them. The children were not engaged in organized games or play. The instructor had them run around the perimeter of the playground twice and then allowed them to play on the equipment. The children were treated like a high school football squad rather than a group of pre-school students. The diminutive size of the media center placed a premium on student work space and storage space. While the girls restroom off the main hall was clean and supplied, it was not handicapped accessible, water pressure in two of the sinks was very low, and the wall near the door had a gaping hole. Toilet paper and paper towels were missing from the boys restroom nearest the intermediate level classrooms.Cloverdale Middle School Academy We were pleased to note that: Both the U.S. and the Arkansas flags were flying in front of the school The grounds featured many stately oak trees, providing shaded areas for students. Flowering crape myrtles graced the entire front of the building. The exterior ramps were covered with awnings, and the lockers lining the walls were in good repair. Security personnel were clearly visible on campus. Furnishings in the media center were of good quality, and a dropped ceiling was a great improvement over the old ceiling. Five on-line computers were available for student use in the media center. Air temperature in the cafeteria was mercifully cool on an extremely warm day
even the kitchen was air conditioned. Restrooms were clean and free of litter, and the girls restrooms had fragrance dispensers. One girls restroom was handicapped accessible, including two rails. We also noted some areas needing attention: Litter and broken furniture were visible on much of the campus. The awnings over the exterior corridors were cluttered with numerous exposed intercom wires. Some of the students (and adults) seemed confused about a buzzer signaling the end of the physical activity portion of gym class. Several students from other classes headed toward their next class and had to be instructed to return to their rooms. Carpeting on the stage was soiled, tom. and stained. Tape residue clung to one portion of the carpet. Also, clothing, large, trash-filled bags, broken pieces of Styrofoam, and pieces of classroom furniture littered the stage. Several discarded cardboard boxes were stacked against one wall in the cafeteria. A water fountain in the cafeteria was inoperable. Wood logs were scattered at the back door of the cafeteria. The girls restrooms were not completely stocked with paper products or soap and lacked disposal units for hygiene products. The lights were out in one girls restroom. The walls in one girls restrooms were badly stained, marred, chipped, and scratched. One wall had a very large crack along the door jamb. Some of the stalls in a girls restroom had graffiti. One girls restroom was not handicapped accessible, and the restroom next to it, marked with a handicapped sign, was locked. One restroom on a back ramp was not labeled as to gender.Dunbar International Studies/Gifted Talented Education Magnet Middle School iVe were pleased to note that: Campus doors were locked, except for the main entrance. Parts of the campus were well tended and featured flower beds and flowering shrubs alongside new and widened walkways. The terrazzo floors near the main entry were shiny and attractive. Adults were visible during class change. The media center contained several models representing student work. The book collection was extensive and attractive and was supplemented by four on-line computers. Furnishings in the cafeteria were in good repair. The restrooms were amply supplied with paper products and soap. The stalls in the girls restrooms had disposal units for feminine hygiene products. One girls restroom had a handicapped accessible stall with two handrails. We also noted some areas needing attention: No flags were flying from the flagpole in front of the school. The front of the building, which was the only entrance with unlocked doors, was not wheelchair accessible. The bed of plants at the main entrance needed weeding. Security officers were not immediately visible during our visit. Walkways near the Wright Avenue side of the campus were broken and hazardous, and others were overgrown with grass. A pile of broken and discarded furniture sat outside the band room. The non-shp covers on the stair treads and risers were broken in many places, and thus unsightly as well as hazardous. The large, glass-enclosed exhibit cabinet in the east foyer (which in previous years had held vibrant displays related to the school theme) was completely empty, and the small bulletin board in the west foyer was blank. The clock suspended by the main office did not tell the correct time by several hours. A locker door on the first floor was missing, and numerous lockers throughout the school were defaced with black smudges and marks. A window in the bank of interior hall windows on room 201 was broken. Most of the small, interior hall windows throughout the building were dusty and smudged, if not outright filthy. Fire extinguisher cases in the corridors were empty, and no fire extinguisher was visible in the cafeteria, Several walls and classroom doors were defaced with graffiti and marred by extraneous dirt. The veneer on some classroom doors was split or missing in pieces. The media center carpet was stained, frayed, and soiled. A large area of ceiling panel was missing outside of the cafeteria. Several floor tiles and ceiling tiles in the cafeteria were broken, cracked, or gouged, Windows in the cafeteria were filthy.Dunbar International Studies/Gifted & Talented Education Magnet Middle School Page 2 Some floors were neither clear nor waxed
others were waxed, but the wax had been applied over dirt or, in the case of the cafeteria, dark, ugly scuff marks. The kitchen tile around two large floor drains was cracked and broken. Carts and containers created traffic flow problems in the food preparation and serving areas. Sanitation problems in the kitchen included a missing ceiling vent cover and evidence of rodents. Due to a lack of ventilation in the kitchens laundry room, the walls were covered with mildew and stains. The identifying signs were missing from the girls restrooms located on the second and third floors. A strong sewer smell emanated from the girls locker room. Shower stalls in the girls locker room were corroded, stained, filled with trash, and covered with graffiti, as were the lockers, walls, and many other surface areas. The locker room looked like a garbage dump. The girls locker room was not handicapped accessible. The boys locker room contained huge swaths of material hanging from over half of the ceiling and a vertical crack, approximately 1/2" wide, reached down an entire wall. Other structural cracks were noted in other parts of the locker room. Shower stalls in the boys locker room were so stained and corroded that they were unusable. Graffiti was rampant in the boys locker room and the facility contained no soap or paper products. A staff person reported leaks in an area above the gymnasium floor.Forest Heights Middle School We were pleased to note that: The campus was free of litter and the grass was mowed. The terraced planting beds added five years ago were filled with healthy greenery that greatly enhanced the entry to the school. The five-year-old main building looked as neat, clean, and attractive as it did at the dedication ceremony. Security personnel were visible throughout the school. Floors were clean and waxed to a mirror-like shine. A spacious stair landing had been transformed into an attractive student art gallery. Posters with encouraging and inspirational sayings were present throughout the building. The teaching staff were especially friendly and helpful. Banners that identified the middle school learning teams were found throughout the building. The sixth grade area of the building featured a wealth of displays and examples of student work. The sixth grade wing included displays featuring team names (such as New Centurions, Shooting Stars, and Aviators) that gave evidence of the middle school teaming concept. The media center was in excellent condition and had attractive furnishings. Computer work stations provided students with word processing capability, as well as Internet access. The gymnasium was clean and in good repair. The basketball floor was shiny and well maintained. The cafeteria was clean and the tables and chairs were in good repair. The boys restrooms were well supplied, clean, odor-free, and handicapped accessible. The girls restrooms were clean, odor free, supplied with paper products, and accessible to the handicapped. We also noted some areas needing attention: We found no flags flying. Above the checkout desk in the media center, two flourescent tubes were not working. The doors to the cafeteria were badly scarred and in need of paint. Ceiling tiles near the cafeteria exit were marred and insulation was clearly visible where several tiles were missing entirely. Carpet in one classroom was clean but terribly wrinkled, causing a tripping hazard. Paint was peeling from the ceiling of the boys restroom adjacent to the gymnasium. One girls restroom lacked soap, and one of the sinks had no running water.Henderson Middle School We were pleased to note: The U.S. flag was flying from the schools flagpole. Security personnel greeted visitors at the front door. Student team names appeared on a bulletin board near the main office as evidence of the teaming aspect of the middle school concept. Students greeted us in a friendly manner. The main interior hallway was bright due to the natural light from skylights and relatively new paint. The sponge-painted accents in the hallway provided tor a nice overall effect. Students were quiet and orderly during a class change. Some hallways had student work on display. The media center was roomy enough to provide for adequate student seating, as well as space for computer work stations. The media center contained computers that students could use for Internet research and also for word processing. The cafeteria was clean and the design provided for good traffic flow. Boys restrooms were generally clean with sinks, toilets, and urinals operating normally. We also noted some areas needing attention: The campus was not properly secured
several exterior doors were propped open. A few areas of the campus were littered. While the soccer field had some trash barrels, the number is not adequate during soccer season, when the fields are used by the school and the YMCA. The courtyard areas, which could be very attractive if better maintained, were filled with weeds, debris, and fallen leaves. During the class change, a security guard bellowed at the students who attempted to go to their lockers. While the school does restrict student access to lockers, security guards should endeavor to present a pleasant demeanor, rather than acting like drill sergeants. Paint was badly peeling from an exterior wall in one of the courtyards. The blue paint on the exterior doors was faded. Beyond the sixth grade area, teaming was not as visually apparent as in other parts of the school. On one hallway, pictures used to represent various careers depicted women in non-traditional roles, but showed very few African-Americans. Gum residue was stuck to the hallway floors. The carpeting in the media center was clean but so worn that it was taped together in several places. In several hallways, fire extinguishers were missing from their recesses. The boys restrooms lacked paper towels and the lights were not on in the boys restroom nearest the main office. The girls restroom nearest the office was pitch dark. The ceiling fixture was not working, and a monitor could not locate a light switch. Since the room had no windows or skylights, it was impossible to monitor and nearly unusable (although we observed a few brave souls emerge from the dark room). Another girls restroom was locked.Mabelvale Middle School We were pleased to note that: The campus was secured and security personnel were visible. The brick exterior of the building was in good repair, and the walks and ramps were in good condition. The posts supporting the ramp awnings were color-coded so that students teams could easily identify the areas of their classrooms. Lockers lining the walls of the ramps were in excellent condition. Glass blocks framed the office door and provided an attractive accent. The one-way traffic flow pattern helped to ensure orderly class changes free of congestion. The media center was an attractive workplace for students and offered sLx on-line computers. Students attending an assembly in the cafeteria were attentive and very well behaved. Furnishings in the cafeteria were clean and in good repair. Ceiling fans in the cafeteria provided some relief from the summer heat. An attractively decorated display board featured the names of the cafeteria workers. The restrooms were adequately furnished with paper products. Restrooms were clean
mirrors and sinks sparkled. We also noted some areas needing attention: No flags were flying from the flagpole. The campus was littered with paper, especially around the dumpster, and several landscaping timbers had been left in a pile near the front entrance. On August 26, the marquee was still featuring an August 4-5 registration announcement. The exposed wiring along the awnings over the ramps was unsightly. The courtyard contained a lone, wrought iron bench with sagging wooden slats, creating a desolate scene. Floors in the cafeteria were gouged and several areas of tile were missing, while other areas were covered with mismatched tiles. Metal facing on a cafeteria door was cracked and broken. The cafeteria lacked sufficient seating to accommodate students during lunch, and crowding of the tables congested the traffic flow. The small kitchen lacked sufficient aisle space, creating traffic problems during food preparation and serving, and lighting was poor. One of the girls restrooms was poorly lit. Swaths of mismatched paint had been applied to the walls in one girls restroom, while in another restroom, large areas of the finish had been scoured off the metal stall dividers. The girls restrooms lacked soap. One girls restroom, which was designed for wheelchair accessibility, had only one side rail in the stall.Horace Mann Arts & Science Magnet We were pleased to note that: State and national flags were properly displayed from the flagpole. Security personnel were visible. Grassy courtyards, furnished with benches and well-trimmed shrubs, created a welcoming appearance for students and visitors, Displays were very colorful and eye catching. Large murals painted on the brick exteriors showcased the arts theme. The media center contained five on-line computers for student use. The cafeteria was well ventilated and cool on a very hot day. The large cafeteria provided plenty of space for good traffic flow. Several murals, mostly celebrating racial diversity, provided a pleasing backdrop during meals. The girls restrooms were clean. We also noted some areas needing attention: The campus was not secure: exterior gates were open or unlocked. Although a covered walkway extended from the main building to the auxiliary building, the walkway was not wheelchair accessible. Parts of the campus were littered and unkempt. The back driveway had a series of potholes. The exterior masonry walls were seriously cracked in several places. The entiy doors to the English annex were damaged and dirty. The plexiglass windows at the auditoriums entrance were scratched, ugly, and barely transparent. Some classrooms had evidence of ceiling leaks. Most drinking fountains were not operable. Despite decent-looking carpet and ceiling tiles, the media center appeared shabby. The furniture was a mixed collection of hand-me-downs, some with imitation walnut finish and others with a blond veneer. The book collection looked seedy and the reference collection was outdated. AV equipment covered the tables in the reading room. Some tables in the cafeteria were chipped, gouged, or broken
tape reside marred the table tops. The ceiling leaked in the cafeteria, and several ceiling panels in the cafeteria were missing. Recent patch jobs on the kitchen ceiling had not been painted, creating an unfinished appearance. None of the three girls restrooms located in the main building or in the auxiliary building were handicapped accessible. Water pressure was extremely low in the girls restrooms. Several stalls in a girls restroom had no toilet paper, and three of the four restrooms had no paper towels. Two girls restrooms were missing stall doors. Although all of the light fixtures in the entry to the girls restrooms had bulbs, none of them were operating. When queried, a custodian remarked, Those lights arc not necessary, Two boysrestrooms were locked. Two others should have been
each was smelly, only partly functional, and had no soap or paper products.Pulaski Heights Middle School IVe were pleased to note that: Much of the original brick floor was still attractive and in good repair. The hallways were clean, well lit, and free of litter. Bulletin boards and posters gave evidence of middle school teaming. A book fair was in progress, so the media center was more cramped than usual, but still provided a pleasant atmosphere. Seven on-line computers complemented the substantial book and reference collection in the media center. The auditorium was clean and in good repair, since persistent leaks had been stopped and fresh plaster and paint applied to the walls. The gymnasium was clean and bright. The basketball playing floor had been recently refinished and the bleachers were in good repair. The cafeteria was generally clean and the walls had been recently repaired and painted in the school colors. The restrooms were functional and well supplied. We also noted some areas needins attention: No flags were flying from the flagpole near the main entry. The brick structure near the main entrance, designed to serve as a ground-level marquee, was devoid of the schools name, and the planters on either side sported nothing but dead weeds. A pile of broken and discarded furniture cluttered a back courtyard. The protective coverings on the stair steps were broken and hazardous in several areas. The space created for the media center was too small for the size of the schools enrollment. Several flourescent tubes were not working in the cafeteria. Some ceiling tiles in the cafeteria were marred, broken, or entirely missing. The floor was noticeable gouged in the cafeteria near a serving line and at the entrance to the auditorium. Wall tiles on two of the boys restrooms were missing, leaving unsightly exposed plaster. One boys restroom was littered.Southwest Middle School iVe were pleased to note that: The grass was mowed and the campus was free of litter. The hall floors were clean and shiny. Security personnel were visible. The school mission statement was prominent in several locations in the building. Bulletin board and shadow box displays featured student organizations such as the Gentlemens Club. Middle school teaming was evident through bulletin boards and hallway displays. The media center was well organized, clearly labeled, and had adequate student work space. Computer stations in the library provided students with word processing and Internet access. The cafeteria was large enough for a smooth flow of student traffic during the lunch period. The boys restrooms were generally clean. The girls restrooms were clean and fully supplied. We also noted some areas needing attention: No flags were flying from the school flagpole. The school was not landscaped, but a few mature trees dotted the perimeter of the campus. The metal windows were rusted in spots. The campus was not secured: some exterior doors (other than the front door) were unlocked and some classroom doors were propped open. Several hallway flourescent lights were burned out. The cinder block wall at the south end of the main hall showed signs of water damage. Wall paint in the 500 hall appeared old and dingy. The ceiling tiles nearest the assistant principals suite were gouged. Several cafeteria tables were worn and badly chipped. Toast, milk cartons, and other breakfast refuse littered the lunch line area, The physical condition of the boys restrooms varied. The restroom at the far end of the main hallway had gouged walls, broken wall and floor tiles, peeling paint, and was not well lit. The restroom nearest the gymnasium was clean and well supplied, but had a constantly running urinal and rusted heating unit. Not all of the boys restrooms were adequately supplied with toilet paper and soap. A girls restroom lacked adequate lighting, and the walls and stalls were defaced with graffiti. In this same restroom, the toilet paper dispenser was missing from the handicapped stall.Central International Studies High School We were pleased to note that: Both the state and national flags were properly displayed on flag pole in front of the school. The grounds were very attractive. The grass was mowed and we noted only a few pieces of litter on the entire campus. A wealth of blooming crape myrtles accented the front of the school, and the planting beds were neat and filled with shrubs and ornamental grasses. Security personnel and equipment were visible throughout the building. Security measures included cameras in the corridors and kiosks strategically situated throughout the main level. Colorful banners and posters promoting school spirit were displayed in many areas of the building. Shadow boxes on the main level featured student artwork. The interior corridors were well lit and lined with lockers in good repair. Floors were clean and polished. The stonework in the foyer had been repaired. The media center included a large bank of computers for students to use for on-line research and word processing. Appropriate spirit symbols decorated the gymnasium. The gyms fold-away bleachers appeared to be in good repair, and the hardwood playing surface had a good, shiny finish. The cafeteria was well ventilated and comfortably cool on a very warm day. The cafeteria was clean and furnishings were in good repair. Newly installed serving rails provided an orderly flow of traffic in the cafeteria. The cafeteria ceiling paint was in excellent condition, giving the appearance of having been recently done, although a custodian indicated that it hadnt been painted in six years. The kitchen area was very spacious and free of clutter. Girls restrooms had paper products and were free of litter immediately after lunch period. Both of the girls restrooms monitored were handicapped accessible, including two handrails. We also noted some areas needing attention: The shell of a wrecked car, apparently used in a senior bash, remained in one comer of the student parking lot. The vehicle, which consisted of jagged metal, broken glass, and scribbled obscenities, posed a safety hazard and was unsightly. The area around the school dumpsters was cluttered with discarded furniture and cardboard boxes. The rubberized covering on the landing of the main entry steps was cracked, tom, and unattractive. The campus was not secured: monitors entered through an open door in a custodians shop
another door at the back of the school also was propped open. Few adults were present during a class change. The two-way traffic flow on the stairs created serious congestion during class changes. Many surfaces in the corridors were defaced by graffiti. Trophy cases were covered with dust, and the trophies were grimy and tarnished. Large sections of ceiling panels were missing on the lower level. In numerous locations throughout the building, wall paint had bubbled and plaster flaked due to moisture. Many corridor walls on the third level had been damaged severely by moisture.Central International Studies High School Page 2 Plexiglass windows in various parts of the building were so marred by scratches, tape residue, and past cleaning attempts that they had been rendered opaque rather than transparent, Several hallway flourescent lights were inoperative. The media center was plagued by leaks and the resulting deterioration of plaster. The problem was particularly severe in the media center boys restroom. The ceiling had peeled severely in a maintenance room and the carpet was soiled and mildewed. The concrete block building attached to the west side of the gym was badly cracked and in danger of falling. Window panes in the back of the gymnasium had been replaced with plywood that was peeling and unsightly. The handle and overhead sill of the auditorium door were broken. The auditorium carpeting was soiled and the stage was littered. No fire extinguishers were found in the cafeteria. A section of tile near a kitchen floor drain was badly cracked, chipped, and broken. Large sections of paint were peeling from the walls in the kitchen, indicating moisture problems. Disconnected pipes from a former drinking fountain protruded from a support column. Neither girls restroom observed had soap or disposal containers for feminine hygiene products. A toilet in one girls restroom was inoperable and a toilet in another was stopped up. One of the girls restrooms showed evidence of water damage, especially around the window casing. One girls restroom had a missing ceiling panel and push-down faucets that were very difficult to operate
another had a large section of broken wall, exposing sewage drain pipes. A third floor boys restroom had been vandalized: the Formica edging around the counter top had peeled off, and the cover to the flushing mechanism for the urinals was missing, leaving a gaping hole in the wall.J. A. Fair High School IVe were pleased to note that: The U.S. flag was displayed on the flagpole in fi'ont of the school. The grass was mowed and the campus was free of litter. Doors throughout the campus were locked, security cameras were mounted in the corridors, and security personnel were visible. Staff" members greeted us in a friendly fashion. The entry foyer and interior corridors were clean and free of litter and debris. Most corridors were lined with lockers in good repair. A mural with a musical theme adorned the wall adjacent to one of the music classrooms. The media center, which featured automated checkout, had computers available for word processing and Internet research. The media center was replete with student projects on display. The cafeteria was clean and fi'ee of litter. Traffic flow in the kitchen during lunch hour was smooth. Both gyms were clean and ready for use
several championship banners decorated the walls. The bleachers in the varsity gym were clean and in good repair. The restrooms were fiee of litter and well supplied. We also noted some areas needing attention: While the large planting bed near the entry had the potential to be attractive, it was choked with weeds and drought-stricken annuals. Although security personnel questioned each one, several students were in the corridors well after the class change. Some of the hall ceiling tiles were stained and ripped. Floor tiles in one section of the hallway were cracked. Some hall drinking fountains were inoperable. Several ceiling tiles in the hallway to the auxiliary gym were damaged or missing. The louvered door to one gym dressing room was damaged to the point of allowing anyone to see into the area. In the media center, the addition of computer stations significantly decreased the already limited amount of student work space. In a work area adjacent to the media center, leaking water pooled inside the cover of a flourescent Ught fixture. Tables in the cafeteria were chipped and gouged. One serving counter was propped on a wooden board. The floor was buckled in Ifont of the serving counter
tiles were chipped, cracked, and broken. In the kitchen, water damage was evident in the pantry area, and some ceiling panels were loose, missing, or food-splattered. A cafeteria worker reported evidence of rodents. The air conditioning was broken in the kitchen area and the air temperature was stifling. Walls and stalls in the girls restrooms were scuffed, stained, and marred. One girls restroom was not handicapped accessible. One of the toilets in a girls restroom was stopped up by a discarded sanitary napkin. Although the restrooms had disposal units for feminine hygiene products, they were inconveniently located outside of the stalls. While the girls restrooms were supplied with toilet paper, the rolls were lying on the floor. The restrooms also lacked soap dishes. As a result, scummy soap residue had accumulated in all areas surrounding the sinks.Hall University Studies High School We were pleased to note that: Security personnel were visible. Many of the planting beds were filled with masses of blooming annuals. The grass was mowed and the campus was free of litter. The interior corridors were clean and shiny in both buildings. Students were fnendly and helpful to us. Lockers were in good repair. Hallway displays, posters, and banners proclaimed school spirit. The media center was spacious and attractive. The media center, which was in the process of implementing an automated checkout system for materials, also had computers that students could use for Internet research and word processing. The gymnasium was clean and bright and made good use of school colors to enhance its appearance. The hardwood basketball court was refinished and clean. Furnishings in the cafeteria were in good repair. Air temperature in the cafeteria and kitchen was excellent. Floors and walls in the girls restrooms were clean. Girls restrooms contained disposal units for feminine hygiene products. We also noted some areas needing attention: No flags were flying from the schools flagpole. One security guard was observed with his arm around a female student, and a police officer was seated alone in a parked squad car with a female student. Security personnel and resource officers should exercise great care in their interaction with students and the appearance of their behavior. Electrical wires laid in a tangle near the football field. The temporary bleachers near the football field were broken and hazardous, due to exposed and jagged metal edges. The tennis courts were in a state of pronounced decay with flaked and rough concrete and a sagging net. The ceiling tiles in the 700 building were sagging and broken. Some fire extinguisher cases were empty. Several ceiling tiles were missing in the hallway near the journalism class. Sections of baseboards were worn and loose in several areas of the building. Students traveling in four directions in the area outside the cafeteria during the lunch transition period created serious congestion. Students entering and exiting from the same doors created bottlenecks. Cafeteria tables were placed too close together, compromising movement and severely limiting egress during an emergency. The cafeteria lacked sufficient seating for the number of students present
as a result, some students were five or six minutes late for third period class. A water leak over the kitchens vent-a-hood created a safety hazard.Hall University Studies High School Page 2 Narrow food preparation lanes, coupled with loose and broken floor tiles, created safety hazards. Flaking ceiling material over the serving counter created a health hazard. One floor drain was stopped up, another drained slowly, and a stool covered a large open drain in the food preparation area, causing a safety hazard. Cafeteria workers reported electrical overload problems and evidence of rodents. The kitchen door contained a large hole and one window pane was cracked. A section of floor tile was missing from around the sink in the kitchen. None of the girls restrooms inspected was handicapped accessible. One girls restroom lacked soap and not all stalls had toilet paper. The stall dividers in one girls restroom were covered with graffiti. The boys restroom near the library had been vandalized: sink handles were broken and a stall door was missing.McClellan Business/Communications Magnet We were pleased to note that: The grass was mowed and the campus was free of litter. The security staff was visible, A student-drawn mural of cell division decorated the science hall. The business education hallway was filled with colorful, attractive displays and the myriad of business education awards received by students. The media center provided adequate seating for classes of students. Materials checkout in the media center was automated and the facihty had computers with Internet research and word processing capability. Drawings of authors from diverse cultural backgrounds (such as Maya Angelou and Mark Twain) decorated the media center. The gymnasium was colorful and clean, and the bleachers appeared to be in good repair. Spirit emblems lent a festive atmosphere to the gym. The cafeteria floor was gleaming. Cafeteria furnishings were well spaced, leaving ample room for lunch traffic. Student portrait art added a nice touch to the surroundings in the cafeteria. The girls restrooms were supplied with paper products. Girls restroom stalls had disposal units for feminine hygiene products. Although it was lunch period, the girls restrooms were free of litter. We also noted some areas needing attention: No flags were flying from the flagpole. The large planters in front of the school were filled with dying shrubs and weeds. Corridors were very congested during class change, exacerbating the noise level. The corridors were bleak and unattractive due to dirty concrete floors, metal roofing with lots of visible wire and ducts, and general neglect. In the cafeteria, several ceiling panels were tom or loose and several floor tiles were cracked and chipped. Some of the tables in the cafeteria were badly chipped or gouged. In the serving area, a missing ceiling panel and a large floor drain created health and safety hazards. The floor tiles in the kitchen were cracked, chipped, gouged, or broken. Graffiti covered nearly all the wall space in the girls restrooms. A student indicated that she and her classmates had painted the restrooms, but the job was characterized by poor brush strokes, insufficient coverage, and paint splatters, which were among the best things that could be said about the girls restrooms. In one girls restroom, some stalls had no doors, including the one for handicapped students. Walls and sinks in a girls restroom were dirty and stained and one restroom had dried tissue wads dotting the ceiling. A metal grate had been pried from the wall in a girls restroom. Girls were smoking in one restroom. The boys restrooms had been markedly abused: the stark red-and-blue walls, messy paint, vandalized paper holders, litter, and graffiti all combined to create an unappealing whole.Parkview Arts & Science Magnet We were pleased to note that: The U.S. and Arkansas flags were flying from the flagpole in front of the school. The grass was mowed and the campus was free of litter. Security staff was visible throughout the building. Interior corridors were clean and their design allowed easy movement for students during class changes. Thematic murals appropriate to the disciplines decorated the halls near the music, art, history, and science departments. Some hallways displayed student artwork. The gymnasium playing surface was gleaming and in excellent condition. The bleachers were in good repair and free of graffiti. The gymnasium temperature was bearable despite outside temperatures in the mid-90's. The south cafeteria had a colorful mural that brightened the facility. Floors in both cafeterias were clean and waxed. Air temperature in the cafeteria was excellent on a very warm day. The addition of a lunch period resulted in fewer students per shift, thus eliminating crowding in the eating areas and long waits in the serving lines. Girls restrooms were clean and litter free right after lunch. Stall in the girls restrooms had disposal units for feminine hygiene products. We also noted some areas needing attention: Some of the sidewalks were cracked and effaced. Exterior trim paint was faded and weathered. The school was crowded. The enrollment increase had caused the school to use all possible classroom space, and the district had brought in three portables for additional classrooms: a single portable was located on the upper campus and two double portables were located on the lower end of the campus. The lack of space is a particular concern due to some of the specialized types of courses offered at Parkview. The concrete steps adjacent to the gymnasium leading to the lower campus were effaced. The empty display cases in one area of the building were very unappealing. A front panel was missing from a hall fountain. Most of the plexiglass windows were scratched and ugly. Wires to the intercom were strung along the corridor ceiling without benefit of ductwork. Although it had 22 computers for research and word processing, the media center was not fully usable due the construction of the adjacent dance studio. The north cafeteria was dull and institutional in appearance. The picnic-style tables were flush against the wall at one end of the cafeteria, creating limited egress in case of an emergency evacuation. The kitchens food preparation area was narrow and congested, and loose ceiling tiles created a health hazard. In the girls restroom, one vent cover was hanging from the ceiling and another was missing. Girls restroom #203 was locked. Sinks in the girls restrooms needed scrubbing. Water pressure in one girls restroom was very low and the feminine hygiene products dispenser was inoperable. A stall door in one of the girls restroom was too small and fit only halfway across the front of the handicapped accessible stall, eliminating all semblance of privacy for the user. Two of the boys restrooms were in a state of serious disrepair and neglect. One of the restrooms had large, gaping holes in the walls. Neither of the boys restrooms monitored were clean or supplied with paper towels.LRSD Alternative Learning Center (ALC) We were pleased to note that: The exterior doors to the facility were locked. Security personnel were highly visible throughout the building. The brick exterior of the building was in good repair, grass and shrubs were neatly tended, and a new security fence had been installed on the north side of the campus. Four huge magnolia trees shaded the west side of the building. Interior corridors were immaculate and the concrete floors glistened. Instead of a conventional media center for the nontraditional program, the school used computers in every classroom for programmed instruction and Internet research. The cafeteria floor was gleaming and furnishings were in good repair. The restrooms were clean and supplied with paper products and soap. We also noted some areas needing attention: Asa former elementary school, the ALC had a flagpole, but no flags were flying. The school did not have a ramp for handicapped access. The carpet in the entry to the office was tom and frayed, due to the door constantly dragging across it. Exposed intercom wires were stmng along the ceiling of the main corridor. The kitchen area was in poor repair: the sink was stopped up, dead water bugs were present, the milk cooler was not operating, the mixer was broken, and the temperature was stifling. Evidence of water damage was prevalent in several places on the kitchens ceiling and walls. Walls in the cafeteria was stained, scuffed, and marred. The cafeteria did not have a fire extinguisher. The stage was cluttered with folding tables and chairs, and stage curtains were stained, tom, and faded. The wall at the base of the stage had a large hole. The girls restrooms were not handicapped accessible. In one of the girls restroom, pipes and fittings protmded from the walls where fixtures had been removed, and graffiti defaced one wall. Ceiling tiles in a girls restroom were cracked, walls were water-damaged, and a sewer pipe cover was detached from one wall. The boys restrooms had been vandalized, resulting in a missing stall door and unusable paper holders.Date: June 14, 2000 To
All Associates From: Re: AnrTH------- L End-of-School SWAT Visits Since vacations are beginning to scatter us, please finish the write-ups on your end-of-school visits by the close of the day on this coming Friday, June 16. Use the same format as on the beginning- of-the-year SW.AT visits, and collate them all together on one disc. Polly can help if needed. TH be reviewing them when I return from my trip next Monday, and will pass them on to the appropriate superintendents. Thanks.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 15, 2000 Dr. Les Gamine, Superintendent Little Rock School District 810 West Markham Street Little Rock, AR 72201 Dear Les: You 11 recall that every year as the new term gets underway, we make informal visits to a few schools, write up our observations in a brief format, and share them with you. As we once again prepare for this same type of fall monitoring for the coming school year, I find that I have neglected to give you a bit of information that we generated as the 1999-2000 school year was drawing to a close. I apologize for my oversight. Before school ended last June, we made a return visit to some of the LRSD schools that we had monitored in the fall and in which we noted some facility problems. Our purpose was to see whether the deficiencies we saw earlier in the year had changed by the time school year was about over. Enclosed are those observations. I hope they will prove useful to you. Best wishes for an exciting and rewarding new school year. Sincerely yours, CJktA Ann S. Brown Enc.Mitchell Elementary School Fall 1999: Selected Areas of Concern Spring 2000 Findings No flags were flying from the school flagpole. The U.S. flag was flying from the pole in front of the school. A very strong, unpleasant odor permeated the area where an addition adjoined the original structure. The principal said that district workers had called an exterminator to deal with an infestation of bats in the attic, which presumably was causing the strong smell. The exterminator was expected to eliminate the bat population and remove any carcases. According to the principal, bat removal had been successfully completed prior to the Thanksgiving holidays. Eliminating the bats also eliminated the odor problem. Overflowing water, apparently from clogged gutters, had damaged the roof overhang and decorative brackets. The covered walkway between the main building and the four-year-old classroom had a damaged roof. The roofing shingles were missing, and the exposed decking was rotten in some spots. Exterior trim and brick work still suffered from water damage, but repairs are reported to be scheduled that include waterproofing the brick. The air conditioning in a portion of the building was not working
only four of six upstairs rooms were cooled. The air conditioning had been repaired. Room 103 had serious water damage to the southwest comer of the room. Room 204, which is directly above 103, had water damage on its south wall. The math room, which is in the addition attached to the main building, had water damaged walls. Pronounced water damage was evident in the stairwell at the north end of the building. A large section of plaster had fallen away, revealing the underlying brick. The surrounding area also showed signs of water damage: paint peeling back to bare wood, eroding plaster, and wood rot. Damaged walls in the hall landing and the classrooms had been repaired and repainted. The hall carpet at the top of the stairs was frayed and loose.Mitchell School Page 2 In the four-year-old classroom and some rooms in the K-1 building, the carpet was stained, worn, and unsightly. No improvements in the carpet, but carpet slated for repair or replacement beginning in the summer. The cafeteria floor near the waste barrels was wet with milk from breakfast. The textured ceiling in the cafeteria was in a deplorable state with areas where the textured material was entirely missing and others where the material hung perilously over the tables. The cafeteria was spotless, and the custodian was busy cleaning the ceilingheight window sills. The cafeteria ceiling had been repaired. The girls restroom on the second floor landing lacked soap, was not accessible to the handicapped, had one sink with very low water pressure, and the toilet paper rolls were simply propped up rather than being placed on the roller. The boys restroom on the second floor landing still had an odor problem, which has been chronic. Bathrooms on the second floor were clean and free of odor. Additional findings: A poster was on display that outlined the improvements Mitchell was to receive from the recently passed bond issue. The school is to undergo a large range of repairs and upgrades, which are budgeted at roughly $900,000. Some of the major repairs are to begin in summer 2000. The kitchen area was crowded with large food storage units which impeded traffic flow. Although the cafeteria was in need of repair, the principal was not sure whether remodeling the dining area was included on Mitchells list of improvements.Dunbar Magnet Middle School Fall 1999: Selected Areas of Concern Spring 2000 Findings No flags were flying from the flagpole in front of the school. The front of the building, which was the only entrance with unlocked doors, was not wheelchair accessible. The bed of plants at the main entrance needed weeding. Security officers were not immediately visible during our visit. Walkways near the Wright Avenue side of the campus were broken and hazardous, and others were overgrown with grass. A pile of broken and discarded furniture sat outside the band room. The non-slip covers on the stair treads and risers were broken in many places, and thus unsightly as well as hazardous. The large, glass-enclosed exhibit cabinet in the east foyer (which in previous years had held vibrant displays related to the school theme) was completely empty, and the small bulletin board in the west foyer was blank. The clock suspended by the main office did not tell the correct time by several hours. A locker door on the first floor was missing, and numerous lockers throughout the school were defaced with black smudges and marks. A window in the bank of interior hall windows on room 201 was broken. Most of the small, interior hall windows throughout the building were dusty and smudged, if not outright filthy. Fire extinguisher cases in the corridors were empty, and no fire extinguisher was visible in the cafeteria. Several walls and classroom doors were defaced with graffiti and marred by extraneous dirt. The veneer on some classroom doors was split or missing in pieces. The media center carpet was stained, frayed, and soiled. None of the items we listed in the findings from our fall visit had been addressed. No one had even bothered to remove the jagged, broken window pane from the interior hall window.Dunbar School Page 2 A large area of ceiling panel was missing outside of the cafeteria. Several floor tiles and ceiling tiles in the cafeteria were broken, cracked, or gouged. Windows in the cafeteria were filthy. Some floors were neither clear nor waxed
others were waxed, but the wax had been applied over dirt or, in the case of the cafeteria, dark, ugly scuff marks. The kitchen tile around two large floor drains was cracked and broken. Carts and containers created traffic flow problems in the food preparation and serving areas. Sanitation problems in the kitchen included a missing ceiling vent cover and evidence of rodents. Due to a lack of ventilation in the kitchens laundry room, the walls were covered with mildew and stains. The identifying signs were missing from the girls restrooms located on the second and third floors. A strong sewer smell emanated from the girls locker room. Shower stalls in the girls locker room were corroded, stained, filled with trash, and covered with graffiti, as were the lockers, walls, and many other surface areas. The locker room looked like a garbage dump. The girls locker room was not handicapped accessible. The boys locker room contained huge swaths of material hanging from over half of the ceiling and a vertical crack, approximately 'A" wide, reached down an entire wall. Other structural cracks were noted in other parts of the locker room. Shower stalls in the boys locker room were so stained and corroded that they were unusable. Graffiti was rampant in the boys locker room and the facility contained no soap or paper products.Dunbar School Page 3 A staff person reported leaks in an area above the gymnasium floor. Additional findings: A sign had been placed in front of the school to congratulate the schools winning Math Counts team. A flower bed near the entrance was planted with pansies. Students were roaming the halls freely without any adult supervision during class time. Some classroom doors were propped open rather than being secured as required by LRSD security regulations. The sidewalk leading from the main parking lot to the front door was scattered with sharp gray stones, which had been used as a ground cover under a tree and formed a tripping hazard. One of the main electrical circuit boxes was unlocked, and the door was open, providing great temptation for any one of the numerous roaming students. Classroom doors lacked identifying signs
rather the room numbers were written directly on each wooden door in a shoddylooking fashion. The clock in the upstairs hall was still on Central Standard Time rather than Daylight Savings Time. An unused display case in the third floor hall was a filthy eyesore. A large section of wooden molding was missing from the area outside Room 302.Mann Magnet Middle School Fall 1999: Selected Areas of Concern Spring 2000 Findings Although a covered walkway extended from the main building to the auxiliary building, the walkway was not wheelchair accessible. Handicap accessibility continues to be a deficiency. Parts of the campus were littered and unkempt. The exterior masonry walls were seriously cracked in several places. The plexiglass windows at the auditoriums entrance were scratched, ugly, and barely transparent. None of the three girls restrooms located in the main building or in the auxiliary building were handicapped accessible. The campus was almost litter free. The structural deficits in the building were unchanged from a previous visit. The badly-marred plexiglass windows at the auditorium entrance had been covered with paper to make them less unsightly than previously. No change. Water pressure was extremely low in the girls restrooms. Several stalls in a girls restroom had no toilet paper, and three of the four restrooms had no paper towels. Two girls restrooms were missing stall doors. Although all of the light fixtures in the entry to the girls restrooms had bulbs, none of them were operating. When queried, a custodian remarked, Those lights are not necessary. Two boys restrooms were locked. Two others should have been: each was smelly, only partly functional, and had no soap or paper products. Though clean and supplied with paper, restrooms were still unsightly. Additional findings: The murals overlooking the exterior courtyards were attractive and gave the school an academic aura.Hall High School Fall 1999: Selected Areas of Concern Spring 2000 Findings No flags were flying from the schools flagpole. Both the state and national flags were flying from the pole on the east side of the building. One security guard was observed with his arm around a female student, and a police officer was seated alone in a parked squad car with a female student. Security personnel and resource officers should exercise great care in their interaction with students and the appearance of their behavior. The ceiling tiles in the 700 building were sagging and broken. A water leak over the kitchens vent-a- hood created a safety hazard. Narrow food preparation lanes, coupled with loose and broken floor tiles, created safety hazards. Flaking ceiling material over the serving counter created a health hazard. One floor drain was stopped up, another drained slowly, and a stool covered a large open drain in the food preparation area, causing a safety hazard. The kitchen door contained a large hole and one window pane was cracked. A section of floor tile was missing from around the sink in the kitchen. Cafeteria workers reported electrical overload problems and evidence of rodents. None of the girls restrooms inspected was handicapped accessible. One girls restroom lacked soap and not all stalls had toilet paper. Security staff were visible throughout the campus. No change. No change. No change. No change. No change. No change. No change. The electrical problem in the kitchen had been resolved. No change The girls restroom near the media center had two stalls with no toilet paper holders.Hall High School Page Two The stall dividers in one girls restroom were covered with graffiti. The graffiti had been painted over, but the white paint did not match the beige walls and stalls. Additional findings: The school featured a variety of attractive displays appropriate to a high school setting. Students and staff members were friendly. During our visit, the seniors were involved in taking semester tests, and the halls were quiet and students were in their classrooms. Signs throughout the school welcomed students in a variety of languages and celebrated the schools diversity of population, marking it as a true welcome center. The exterior was generally neat, but we noticed a small amount of litter. The kitchen area included a number of problems: the floors were sweating and slippery because the air conditioning was not in use
the filter on the deep flyer was inoperative and the staff had to manually lift and empty the hot grease
a metal plate protruded from the floor in the doorway to the serving area.
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.