SWAT visits

interoffice MEMORANDUM to: from: Gene, Horace, Margie, Melissa Margie subject: SWAT Visits 1996-97 date: August 14, 1996 During the weeks of August 19-22 and August 26-27, we will visit selected schools in the three Pulaski County districts. Working in two separate teams, we will collect data to be incorporated into an informal report to the superintendents. The focus for these visits should be on activities related to school readiness such as building preparation (cleanliness, paint), classroom readiness (materials, furniture, displays), staff (positions filled, preschool inservices), and student processing (registration, transportation, room assignments). The facilities and classroom observation forms may be used as guides. Teams members should minimize requests for information from school staffs during these visits, since we will get numerical data from later reports. Give the lists of team observations to Margie. Team and school assignments are as follows: Team 1-Gene and Margie Mon. 19 Tues. 20 Weds. 21 Thurs. 22 MILLS HS MCCLELLAN HS Mabelvale JH J. A. FAIR HS David O. Dodd Forest Park Pine Forest* OAK GROVE HS* Scott Elem./ALC* Jaxville Jr. - North Arnold Drive BAYOU METO JAXVILLE HS 9:00 10:30 1:30 9:00 10:30 1:00 9:00 10:15 1:00 9:00 10:00 10:45 1:30 Team 2-Horace and Melissa MILLS HS MCCLELLAN HS Chicot J. A. FAIR HS Otter Creek Jefferson Oak Grove Elem.. OAK GROVE HS Northwood JH Jaxville Jr. - South* Jaxville Elem..* BAYOU METO* JAXVILLE HS* Mon. 26 Tues. 27 NLRHS EAST RIDGEROAD JH North Heights Rose City JH Redwood 9:00 10:30 1:00 9:00 10:30 NLRHS EAST RIDGEROAD JH Amboy Lakewood JH Central Elem.. *Skip on teamGene, Horace, Margie, Melissa Page 2 August 14, 1996 PLANS In the event the PCSSD teachers are on strike the schedule is as follows: PCSSD on strike Team 1 - Gene and Margie Team 2 - Horace and Melissa Mon. 19 CLOVERDALE JH MCCLELLAN HS Mabelvale JH 9:00 10:30 1:30 CLOVERDALE JH MCCLELLAN HS Chicot Tues. 20 J. A. FAIR HS David O. Dodd Forest Park 9:00 10:30 1:00 J. A. FAIR HS Otter Creek Jefferson Weds. 21 PARKVIEW HS* Terry* Williams* 9:00 10:30 1:00 PARKVIEW HS Romine Badgett Thurs. 22 CENTRAL HS ALC Booker Magnet 9:00 10:30 1:00 CENTRAL HS* Baseline* Southwest JH* *Skip on team NLRSD schedule remains the sameGene, Horace, Margie, Melissa Page 3 August 14, 1996 PLAN C In the event that the LRSD teachers are on strike the schedule is as follows: Team 1- Gene and Margie Team 2 - Horace and Melissa Mon. 19 MILLS HS FULLER JH Landmark 9:00 10:30 1:00 MILLS HS FULLERJH Bates Tues. 20 SYLVAN HILLS HS SYLVAN HILLS JH 9:00 10:30 SYLVAN HILLS ELEM.. 1:00 SYLVAN HILLS HS SYLVAN HELLS JH SYLVAN HELLS ELEM.. Weds. 21 Pine Forest* OAK GROVE HS* Scott Elem./ALC* 9:00 10:30 1:00 Oak Grove Elem.. OAK GROVE HS Northwood JH Thurs. 22 Jaxville Jr. North Arnold Drive BAYOU METO JAXVILLE HS 9:00 10:00 10:45 1:15 Jaxville Jr. South* Jaxville Elem..* BAYOU METO* JAXVILLE HS* * Skip on team NLRSD schedule remains the sameOffice 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 (SOI) 376-6200 Fax (501) 371-0100 October 18, 1996 Dr. Don Roberts, Superintendent Little Rock School District 810 West Markham Little Rock, AR 72201 Dear Don: Its 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 obsen'ations during these visits are the same type which we believe parents, students, and staff would make as they enter the building to start the year. Thats 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. Tills year we dropped in on 18 LRSD schools: the Alternative Learning Center
Badgett, Baseline, Booker, Chicot, Dodd, Forest Park. Jefferson, Romine, Terry, and Williams Elementary Schools
Cloverdale, Mablevale, and Southwest Junior Highs
and Central, Fair, McClellan, and Parlcview High Schools. 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 its possible that we might eventually include some of 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. 1 hope the enclosed information is helpful. Please give me a call if you have any questions or comments. Sincerely yours, QU- Ann S. Brown Enc. cc
Vic Anderson Margaret Gremillion Sadie Mitchell Building principalsALTERNATIVE LEARNING CENTER (ALC) Exterior The exterior grounds were well tended and the courtyards were pleasing to the eye. Trees and shrubs were healthy and attractive. The exterior of the building showed its age and could use new windows and doorways. Interior The concrete floors were clean and shiny. Lower walls in the corridor showed much damage and needed to be refinished. Wires for the telephones or intercom were exposed and hanging in unsightly ways through most of the corridor. Cafeteria and Kitchen Floors in the cafeteria were clean and waxed. Cafeteria walls were badly spattered and stained, although students werent due to arrive at the ALC until the following week. The walls needed a thorough washing. Although the kitchen manager reported that an exterminator had visited the school, we saw large amounts of mice droppings in the faculty lounge along the ledge of the chalkboard and on trays by the microwave oven. Uncovered trash stood in the lounge, which surely served to abet the vermin infestation. The kitchen area had virtually no ventilation. Water from a large pipe, which protruded from the kitchen ceiling, drained into a trash barrel, causing the plaster and insulation around the pipe to crack, peel, and break, thus presenting a serious safety hazard. The kitchen floor was cracked and peeling. Media Center Although the ALC had a book collection, it could not be called a library. The books were rejects or gleanings from other schools and were not purchased with the needs of the alternative students in mind. The principal reported that he had no media specialist nor aide to staff the center. Thus, for all practical purposes, media center services were not available to the students. Restrooms Restrooms were a mess even though students had yet to be sent to the school! Paper towels overflowed trash cans
the piles had obviously built up over several weeks. None were fully supplied with paper products. Toilets were not flushed and some were filled with paper. Brown, crusty rings around the water lines indicated the bowls had not been cleaned, In the girls restroom, only one of three taps was operable, and the tile was dirty and unsightly. Page 1BADGETT ELEMENTARY Exterior The custodian was mowing the grass when we visited. The school had virtually no trees or shrubs in front of the building, which would improve the exterior appearance. The courtyard area contained some shrubbery, but the area was littered with an old ladder and a collection of metal tubing. Garbage cans from the cafeteria were sitting in front of the building, creating an unsightly scene. Weed-filled cracks in the sidewalk, around the perimeter of the building, and around the portables were very unsightly. The playground for four-year-olds was not fenced. Interior The hall floors were clean and waxed. A bank of storage cabinets in one hallway was defaced with considerable graffiti and scribbles. The new paint on the cabinets was chemically different from the original and, as a result, had not adhered well, enabling students to scratch messages on them with their fingernails. Ventilation in the interior halls was almost nonexistent. Security We discovered one unlocked exterior door from the kindergarten wing to the playground. Cafeteria and Kitchen Floors in the cafeteria were clean and waxed, and ceiling fans helped the air flow. All of the exit lights were working. Some of the tables were badly chipped and gouged. Although lighting was adequate, some of the light bulbs were missing their covers. The kitchen had adequate ventilation and was arranged to allow for good traffic flow. The kitchen surfaces were immaculate and workers reported no sightings of bugs or vermin. The kitchen fire extinguisher was located where it would be hard to get to if needed quickly. The doorway leading to the serving area needed painting. Restrooms Tilework in the boys restroom was in good condition. The facility was handicapped accessible and supplied with paper products. One light was out in the boys restroom. Although disguised somewhat by air freshener, the boys restroom had a faint urine odor. The girls restroom was fully supplied with paper products and soap. One of the restrooms had litter on the floor and counters. Two of the toilets were not flushed. Page 2BASELINE ELEMENTARY Exterior The grounds were clean and free of litter, and the exterior of the building was well maintained, Play equipment was located in shaded areas, which was beneficial on the very warm day we visited the school, The pea gravel under the climbing equipment had become compacted and offered little cushion for falling children, Some rocky areas needed topsoil and sod. Interior The large foyer was unusually attractive, due to decorative plants and inviting benches that were tastefully arranged. The in-house LRPD alert center was designed to blend in with the rest of the school, maintaining the welcoming appearance. Security All exterior doors were properly secured, No security fence separated the playground from busy Hilaro Springs Road, Cafeteria and Kitchen Unlike many of the other schools we monitored, cafeteria tables were free of plastic sticker residue, The floor was spotless even though students had recently eaten lunch, The staff reported that the kitchen had been treated by an exterminator, and they found no evidence of bugs, Ventilation in the kitchen area was very poor, Fire extinguishers were at the rear of the kitchen area and not immediately visible, According to one kitchen worker, a hole in the storage room ceiling was caused by a mouse. Restrooms Although all of the restrooms had toilet paper and the common wash areas had soap, the floors needed mopping. Two of the girls restrooms were generally clean and free of litter and graffiti. One of the girls restrooms was marred with graffiti, and the dispenser lacked paper towels, Another girls restrooms was not handicapped accessible, and the entry to one stall that was ostensibly designed for wheelchair access was rather narrow. All of the boys restrooms generally were clean
however, some of the restroom walls needed scrubbing. The ceramic tile in a boys restroom had started to crumble near a drain, leaving an unsightly hole. Page 3BOOKER ARTS MAGNET Exterior The campus lawns had been mowed recently. A downspout on the north side of the gym was dislodged and leaking. Interior Hallways contained a variety of posters and banners emphasizing the art theme, and student work was already on display in the halls and classrooms. Classrooms were clearly and attractively labeled with grade, teacher, and room number. Floors gleamed, as did the lockers. Interior areas were clean and free of litter, and the custodian was actively addressing building needs during our visit. The hallways near the gymnasium had some worn and missing floor tiles. Security Several classroom doors were propped open rather than being secured. Media Center The media center was spacious and had areas that were set up for younger as well as older students. A full reference room was separate from the main area, and the check-out system was fully automated. The area was stuffy. According to a staff member, the air conditioning units had not been turned on. Cafeteria and Kitchen The cafeteria presented a very bright and inviting atmosphere
floors and tables were clean, and the walls looked freshly painted. Four fire extinguishers were strategically located in the kitchen area. One of the freezers was not cooling properly and was making an excessive amount of noise. Restrooms Restrooms were clean and free of debris. Paper products were in plentiful supply, and all fixtures operated normally. Restrooms throughout the school lacked signs identifying gender. Climate We noted several instances where adults appeared overly harsh, demeaning, or sarcastic with students. For example, a group of very young children were required to walk down the halls with one hand covering their lips and the other behind their backs. A teacher was heard delivering a lengthy harangue to a small girl who did not descend the stairs properly, and an adult in a third grade class repeatedly chided and insulted students who failed to provide the correct answer during a math lesson. Page 4CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Exterior The picnic area behind the cafeteria was accented by blooming crape myrtles. The area behind the school looked like a dump. A large pile of discarded desks and furnishings littered the area near the door to the building. A pile of debris lay in front of the old and crumbling Campus Inn. The discarded building material included a large collection of 2' x 4's with numerous protruding nails. A large tree limb (about seven feet long) lay beside the path to the practice field, and a planter near the gymnasium was filled with dead azaleas. The school bears a plaque indicating that it is a recognized National Historic Landmark, but no flags were flying. Interior Several signs welcomed new students and others encouraged good behavior. The glass in the doors to the main entry was filthy. The entry alcove at the south end of the building was so dirty that it appeared to have been neglected for quite some time. Walls in the area were soiled and filled with graffiti. The plexiglass panels, which have replaced glass in many of the exterior doors, were exceedingly unsightly due to dirt, fogging, scratches, bums, or other damage. In another area, workers had painted over graffiti on the lockers with paint that contrasted sharply from the original. Several hall hghts throughout the building were out, and some of the ceiling tiles were damaged. A broken window in a classroom door had been repaired with duct tape. A water fountain had been removed from the alcove built for it. The floor tile on the ramp leading backstage was loose or missing in several places, and several floor tiles were missing from the hallway leading to the wellness clinic, The corridors around the band room were especially depressing. The carpet was dirty and patched with duct tape, and gum had been carelessly ground into the rug fibers. Litter was common both inside and outside the building. The absence of overall maintenance and cleanliness seriously undermined the grandness of the building. We noted custodial personnel sitting idly, with no supervision apparent. Security and Safety Although not immediately visible upon entering the school, security personnel were present in the building, and the school was served by a resource police officer. Class changes were orderly, but many students wandered the halls during class, Security forces seemed to congregate in one area on the main level
they did not circulate very much. We did not see any security personnel on level four during our visit, Some side entrance doors were not locked, Several fire boxes were noted in the corridors, but extinguishers were not prominently displayed, Exposed wires dangled from an electrical outlet in a corridor, A large quantity of wires and cables hung down from the roof of the library, The sidewalk leading from the main building to the library was hazardous: the metal grates imbedded in the concrete protruded above the level of the walk and posed a tripping hazard. Page 5Media Center Despite more than 8,400 square feet of space, the media center was crowded, A large computer lab occupied an entire section. The computers which had research capability were sitting atop book shelves because the center did not have computer furniture, The center showed substantial damage from use and age. The original carpet was threadbare and tom in many places, By usual standards, the book collection looked large and impressive
however, the size of the student body and the uniqueness of the special programs necessitates an enhanced collection if the service is to be adequate for the needs of all students. No special collection served the international studies program, and technological service was not adequate to meet the research needs of Centrals students. Cafeteria and Kitchen The cafeteria floor was swept, and tables and chairs were in good repair. The facility was arranged to provide excellent traffic patterns and air flow was very good, even in the kitchen area. Kitchen workers reported no problems with bugs or vermin. Unsightly hoses from the soft drink dispensers detracted from the appearance of the snack bar area. One section of the cafeteria showed evidence of some wall repair, but the replacement plaster had not been sanded or repainted. Other sections of the cafeteria walls and ceiling exhibited extensive damage and deterioration. Although the kitchen had been painted last year, serious moisture problems were not corrected
as a result, the plaster around the window casement was badly cracked, chipped, and stained. Some of the ceiling panels in the kitchen were missing. Gymnasium Bleachers in the gymnasium were in good repair, and the gym floor was in superior condition, The hardwood floor beside the bleachers was damaged and one large section was missing. Restrooms Restrooms varied in appearance and state of repair. Most, but not all, of the restrooms had paper products and some had soap. Tilework was in good repair and clean. The restrooms were free of litter and well lit. Several of the boys restrooms did not have paper towels and many of the stalls had no doors. Some of the counter tops were damaged and not all restrooms had facilities for the handicapped. Although the windows were open in some of the girls restrooms, they were still stuffy and exuded a feint urine odor. Stall doors were sloppily painted and plaster was peeling and smeared with non-matching paint. In one girls restroom, three of six taps did not function. A commode in another did not flush and several counters were scratched, stained, or marred, Ants were crawling all over one counter top, All of the girls restrooms we monitored had new soap dispensers, yet none of them contained soap. Page 6CHICOT ELEMENTARY Exterior The grass was freshly mowed and some flowers filled the planter under the school sign. Interior The new construction was attractive with thoughtful touches, such as plastic comer guards on the hall walls. The walls were painted a neutral color which gave the school a light, bright appearance. Workers had retouched the wall paint with a paint glossier than the original. The mismatched touch-ups were more unattractive than a few smudges would have. Chicot is one of LRSDs designated Newcomer Centers for students who are not native English speakers. Areas throughout the school were labeled in English, Spanish, and braille. Security Two rear doors were not secured, and a supply company was making deliveries through one of the unsecured doors. A few classroom doors were not locked. Media Center The unusually large room housing the media center was located on a hallway that allowed for easy access. The facility was attractive, well lighted, and offered plenty of shelving for additional books and materials. The media specialist related that the books from the closed Ish and Stephens schools had been used to restock the library and that $77,000 from the fire fund had been spent to supplement them. The result was a good collection of books and attractive materials. Cafeteria and Kitchen Floors in the cafetorium and kitchen were clean, and fire extinguishers were clearly visible in both areas. The chairs and tables were in good repair. Traffic flow in the kitchen area was smooth. Although the kitchen lacked windows, air from four fans, plus the flow from air conditioners from the cafetorium, kept the area cool on the very warm and humid day we visited. Restrooms The restrooms were labeled in Spanish, English, and braille. Stalls in the girls restrooms were new and free of graffiti. One of the girls restrooms was fully supplied and spotless. While another girls restroom had plenty of paper products, it was not immaculate
the floor was dirty. Both boys restrooms had soap and paper towels in the common wash area. One boys restroom was exceptionally clean, while another had some scuff marks and ghosts of past graffiti on the walls. One of two boys restrooms was handicapped accessible. Page 7CLOVERDALE JUNIOR HIGH Exterior The front of the school was neatly landscaped with trimmed grass and flower beds that featured crape myrtles and dwarf hollies. While the grass had recently been mowed, it appeared that the district allowed a great deal of time to elapse between mowings, as large piles of long grass clippings littered the courtyards. Flags were flying on the day we visited. The principal indicated that many of the cracks we had noted last year in the exterior brick had been repaired over the summer. Workers shored up the foundation in the affected areas, removed sections of the exterior brick walls, and re-bricked the areas. The replacement work was indistinguishable from the original brick walls. Noticeable cracks in the brick veneer remained in only one area of the school. Interior A large welcome sign greeted parents in the main office, which also included a parent center sponsored by the PT A. The hallways in the new addition were clean and shiny. Classroom doors were clearly marked to ease getting students into their rooms on the first day of school. Hallways in the original building had been adequately cleaned and most lockers were in good repair. Students looked neat and well-groomed in their uniforms, which were black or white tops and jeans. We noted a cracked concrete ramp in a corridor near the gym. Security and Safety Although a resource officer was in the parking lot, the officer was visiting with a parent in a parked car, rather than patrolling the campus. Only four of a long row of outside lights in an exterior corridor were on. The back exterior door was not locked. Two large construction trenches were exposed beside the cafeteria area and to the side of the building. None of the ditches were protected by fencing. The wing containing rooms 24-26 was dark and unattended. A safety hazard was created when an electric extension cord was attached to an outside light pole, which had a broken globe and no bulb. The cord extended from the pole along the ground, under a fence, and into a small hole in the exterior brick near a storage shed. Media Center The media center was being used as the holding spot for 70 to 80 late students and others who did not have schedules for the first day of classes. Students were very orderly and staff members helped students find their classrooms. Although the room for the media center was old and tattered, the staff had dressed it up as much as practical with a fairly recent paintjob. Media equipment was stored on carts for later distribution to the rooms. Page 8Cafeteria and Kitchen The cafetorium was cool and comfortable, and ventilation in the kitchen was excellent. The rubberized floor was clean and free of debris. The walls in the cafeteria, from the vestibule area throughout, were dirty and scuffed and needed a coat of paint. The glass doors to the cafeteria were marred with fingerprints and other smears, a few of the ceiling panels were missing or loose, and two of the overhead lights weren't functioning. A few carts in the aisles impeded traffic flow in the kitchen area. Walls in the kitchen appeared clean, thanks to the green and cream school color scheme: dark green covered the bottom four feet of wall, eliminating visible stains or scuff marks. One refrigerator unit had a rubber tube protruding from the bottom that was leaking a milky substance. When brought to the managers attention, she said she would fix the problem. The fire extinguishers were not readily apparent in the kitchen area
in fact, when monitors asked about their location, two of the extinguishers had to be retrieved from behind a large cardboard box. Restrooms One of the girls restrooms was locked until a student asked a security person to open it. The restroom contained no soap, toilet paper, or paper towels. None of the stalls contained receptacles for feminine hygiene products. The sink was clean, but the counter top was badly marred and stained. Two other girls restrooms were in poor condition. In both of them, the walls had been poorly repainted. Countless paint drips and splotches had fallen on the yellow tiled walls, and the painters had made no attempt to avoid painting over metal hardware or the identifying signs on the doors. It also appeared that earlier workers had painted the tile walls a dark brown color. The paint had been removed from the tile, but it was still present on most of the grout lines. The toilets appeared to be functioning, but neither of the girls restrooms had any running water in the sinks. The lack of running water seemed long term, since it was obvious that the painters had cleaned their brushes in the water fountains rather than using the restroom sinks or the custodial area. Paint residue had also dripped onto the sidewalk under the water fountains. No attempt had been made to clean the walkways or the water fountains. One of the boys restroom was locked. The word boys was painted over on the door and the painter had left several paint drops on the floor. The restroom lacked paper towels. Page 9DAVID O. DODD ELEMENTARY Exterior An attractive awning provided overhead protection between the drive and the school entry. The campus featured good play areas including a softball field with backstop, paved basketball courts with baskets in good repair, and age-appropriate playground equipment on pea gravel. The lawn and shrubs around the front of the building were well tended, but other areas of the lawn needed mowing. The front of the building, although well maintained, did not have a clearly marked entryway, which would be helpful to parents and newcomers. The exterior building which housed the kindergarten students was not attractive because it appeared to have been poorly constructed of plywood. The portable that housed music was dilapidated-looking. Interior The entrance area to the school featured a large Parents are Important sign, and the decor was completed by several live plants, a table, a large fishless aquarium, and a parents comer. The interior hallway was well maintained and had wheelchair accessible ramps connecting to the south entryway. Although the hall was clean, some of the baseboard was peeling from the wall, and several floor tiles showed evidence of damage. Security The rear door of the school was slightly ajar and, therefore, not secure. A side door by one of the restrooms was not secure. Media Center The media center was attractively ananged with portable shelving, which were both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The area was busy, clean, and efficient, Students had access to three computer stations. One new computer housed in a work room was also available for CD ROM or Internet searches. Two of the sixteen open-space teaching stations surrounding the media center were vacant. Cafeteria and Kitchen The cafeteria floor was clean and polished, and the kitchen was clean and free of bugs. Some of the floor tiles in the cafeteria were damaged, and the walls were dirty, chipped, scuffed, and marred. Tables had residue from old assembly instructions. Ventilation in the kitchen was poor, and window screens were frayed and unsightly. Restrooms All facilities were handicapped accessible and free of litter. Girls restrooms had narrow stalls. Wash areas were supplied with paper products, but one of them had no soap. While not obviously dirty, the floors and walls looked dingy and appeared to need scrubbing. None of the stalls had units for the disposal of feminine hygiene products. Page 10J. A. FAIR HIGH SCHOOL Exterior The exterior was very neat, and the grounds did not have even one piece of litter. The grass was trimmed, crape myrtles provided landscaping accents, and other shrubs and annuals near the entry added to the grounds appearance. No flags were displayed. Interior A large banner promoting a schoolwide open house greeted those entering the building. Interior spaces were very neat, clean, and attractive. The floors were shiny and clean, much of the wall paint looked fresh, and graffiti had been painted over in some areas. Trash receptacles were readily available throughout the building. Lockers were well maintained. All the halls were well lit. Most of the classrooms contained both the room number and the teachers name. Every exit light observed was operating. The surface material covering the ceilings had deteriorated in several areas of the building. The problem was particularly acute in the practice gym. The vinyl ceiling behind the metal mesh was cracked, exposing the underlying insulation. Security and Safety None of the security staff was visible outside the school. The resource officer was behind the counter in the front office, and a security guard patrolled the main lobby area. A few classroom doors were ajar, probably due to the hot and humid weather. Although most exterior doors were properly secured, one pair of side exterior doors were unlocked. When queried about the small security staff, the guard stated that one guard was absent, but he was expecting a substitute within the hour. The security guard spent a lot of time herding individual students to their proper destinations. Media Center The media center was clean, functional, and located off a major corridor of the building. Though small for a high school, the room appeared to be student oriented as most decorations were student-created art works, which included Greek masks and Egyptian symbols. The electronic barrier that is intended to prevent theft was the only unsightly item in the media center. No students were in the center on the second day of school. Cafeteria and Kitchen The floor was waxed and spotless. Tables in the cafeteria contained residue from adhesive instruction stickers. The walls near the tray drop-off area were splattered and soiled. One kitchen worker reported having seen bugs, but the manager said that the exterminator had been there and she had seen only dead bugs since the extermination, The tables in the Eagles Nest (snack bar and bookstore) were clean and free of residue, and the concrete floor was clean. The unpainted counter looked homemade, and the display case was empty. Page 11Gymnasium Floors in the main gymnasium were freshly waxed and had a brilliant shine. Although not new, the paint on the walls was clean and free of chips and cracks. The facility was hot. Floors in the practice gym were in good condition, but were not buffed. Some areas of the ceiling showed evidence of damage
this damage was also evident in the hallway leading into the practice gym. Auditorium The auditorium was well lit, and the seats and curtains were in excellent condition. Restrooms The floor in a girls restroom was spotless and the stalls were free of litter and graffiti. The facility was fully supplied with paper products and soap, the mirror was clean, and the room had units for the disposal of feminine hygiene products. The restroom was handicapped accessible. Another girls restroom was also clean, well supplied, and free of graffiti. In one girls restroom, two of five stalls had no toilet paper. This restroom was not handicapped accessible, and the dirty walls needed scrubbing. Page 12FOREST PARK ELEMENTARY Exterior The front courtyard was beautifully landscaped with shrubs, flowers, brick sidewalks, and ornamental benches. Flowers, shrubs, and grass were in excellent condition. While the rest of the grounds couldnt match the impressive entryway, they were equipped with suitable playground equipment, a paved play area, and basketball courts. The path from one portable to the main building was not covered, but it was handicapped accessible. Although the windows on the main building that receive direct sunlight were covered with glare reflecting screens, some of the screens were tattered and unsightly. An unusually shabby pink portable building housed the sixth grade classroom, and a slightly better portable housed the music classroom. The playground was not entirely fenced. Interior The spacious entry was colorfully decorated with bright posters, paintings, and murals creating an inviting atmosphere. The interior needed a coat of paint to cover the scuff marks. The stairways were rather dour
a few displays or decorations would help to enliven the area. Security and Safety The back stairways had no safety mats on the stairs. Several classroom doors were ajar, probably because of the heat and humidity. Media Center The media center was locked the morning we toured the school. Cafeteria and Kitchen The tables in the cafetorium were clean, but some had residue from stickers. The floors were clean and free of litter. A dynamic, colorful display of stylized figures in geometric configurations was very eyecatching. A huge goldfish mobile and a set of student-decorated banners completed the colorful art work in the cafeteria. Ventilation in the kitchen was almost nonexistent. One fire extinguisher was obscured by a stack of crates that was topped with a fan
another was behind a refrigerator unit at the end of the dishwashing area. Neither would have been readily accessible should they have been needed quickly. A kitchen worker reported evidence of bugs
apparently the exterminator had not been to the school. The stage floor was scratched and the paint or stain was fading. The area behind the curtain was cluttered with furniture and other items. Page 13Restrooms Both girls restrooms were well supplied with paper products and soap. One of them had a handicapped accessible stall. In one girls' restroom, the wall area behind the commode had been damaged by water. The window casing showed evidence of moisture damage, as hard water deposits extended around much of the area. The walls were chipped, scuffed, and marred. The other girls restroom had clean sinks, but lacked soap. One wall was gouged and chipped, and the wall behind the commodes was damaged. One toilet ran continuously. While the stall doors were free of graffiti, they needed a coat of paint. One boys restroom was in good repair and clean. A faint odor of urine permeated the facility, and the walls needed a good scrubbing. Another boys restroom was free of odor, well supplied, and neat, but the walls needed cleaning. Page 14JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY Exterior The exterior was attractive and neat. Benches and shrubs accented the entry area. An attractive blue awning with the school name covered the entry sidewalk. We noted no litter or graffiti inside or out. Interior The interior was clean and neat, and some student work was already on display. The brightly painted classroom doors were attractive. Several ceiling tiles in the building showed evidence of wear or water damage. Security The portable building was not handicapped accessible and was not connected to the main building by a covered walkway. Media Center The new media center was bright and colorful. Cafeteria and Kitchen Floors in the cafetorium were very clean and freshly waxed. Tables and seats were clean and prepared for lunch. The cafeteria featured a parent recognition bulletin board. Kitchen ventilation was adequate. Areas along the baseboard where tables were stored were dirty. Restrooms The girls restrooms were fully supplied and clean. Many of the wall tiles in the girls restroom on the lower level were cracked and chipped. Some of the glass window panes were cracked or had holes. Three of the eight paper towel dispensers were broken, and some of the stall doors were damaged. Page 15MABEL VALE JUNIOR HIGH Exterior Open areas had plenty of trash cans and the areas were free of debris and litter. The grass had been mowed. Interior The school does not have interior hallways. The open air corridors were neat and litter free. The ceiling area surrounding skylights in the corridors showed evidence of water damage. Security and Safety Security staff was clearly visible, but one security person spent the entire time sitting at an outside desk instead of patrolling the area. The driveway from the street to a bank of portable buildings was unsecured. The portable buildings were not handicapped accessible, and the walkways to the main campus area were not covered. The schools main power supply units, which were located in an area easily accessible to anyone, were not secured, making it easy for anyone to capriciously shut down the power to the entire campus. Media Center Although the media center was worn with age, the staff had worked hard to make the room attractive. Small student-made globes hung from the ceiling, and a recycling banner made by one of the clubs added to the decorations. The gold carpet, although not pretty, was clean and in good repair. No students were using the facility when we visited on the first day. Cafeteria and Kitchen The temperature in the cafeteria area was cool and comfortable. The cafeteria floor was spotless, but it had several missing or damaged floor tiles. The tables and chairs were clean, but the table tops were marred by the residue of assembling instructions still adhering to them. The kitchen area appeared to be too small for the number of workers present. Traffic flow was compromised by too narrow aisles and over-crowding with equipment. Many of the refrigerator units were lined against the wall in the cafeteria section because the kitchen had no room for them. One kitchen window did not have a screen. Fire extinguishers were clearly visible. Restrooms In the girls restroom across from the cafeteria, the walls were spotless, the mirrors were clean, the facility was free of graffiti, and the stalls had disposal units for feminine hygiene products. That same facility had toilet paper but no paper towels or soap. None of the stalls in that restroom were handicapped accessible. Another girls restroom near the rear section of the campus had some toilet paper but lacked soap and paper towels. One stall was handicapped accessible but had no toilet paper. One of three sinks was dirty with what appeared to be light ink stains, but when the monitor turned on Page 16 the faucet in a nearby sink the water was blue-green, which may explain the stains on the other sink. The faucets did not have hot water and the floor was dirty. The facility contained disposal units for feminine hygiene products. The boys restrooms did not have paper towels, but were generally clean. Ventilation was excellent and all plumbing functioned normally. The doors to both of the teachers restrooms had out of order signs posted on them. Gymnasium The condition of the gym floor was superb. The students who were in the gym class were sitting idly while the only adult present read a newspaper. Page 17MCCLELLAN HIGH SCHOOL Exterior The school entry was neat with trees and shrubs growing in large planters. Many of the trees were surrounded with blooming annuals. The entire area around the vocational building was littered and the grass had not been mowed. Entry ways to the building were spoiled by broken and missing floor tiles. The concrete courtyard outside the cafeteria had numerous cracks. The concrete courtyard near the office also exhibited some damage due to the roof gutters that drain directly onto the concrete, spilling rain water that has eroded the surface of the concrete and exposed the rough aggregate. Interior The corridors were very well lit. The halls were clean and freshly painted. Students were extremely noisy during class change, even through adults were present in the passage ways. The business and Enghsh wings were practically barren of decor, while the math wing was alive with bright decorations extolling Lion Pride and mathematics by each door. Positive messages on bulletin boards complemented the displays. The walls in the business wing were defaced by pencil marks mnning the length of both sides of the corridor. Security and Safety Security personnel were clearly visible in front of the main area. The resource officer sat for several minutes talking to a student after the bell had rung. He later got up and patrolled the corridors. While security guards greeted us at the front of the school, no one seemed to be addressing the half dozen or so students that continued to mill around the entry way. These students remained outside during class time. Some of the hallway lights were out. Media Center The media center was clean and in order on the first day of school, but no students were using the facility. The carpet had been recently replaced and the media specialist pointed out some new furniture. Although attractive, the replacement furniture did not appear to be of the same good quality as the original, and did not quite match the older furniture. The library was not yet on the automated management system. Some computers from a lab were stored in a large unsightly pile
however, we were told that they were to be moved later. Cafeteria and Kitchen The floor in the cafeteria was very clean and nicely waxed, but was marred by several damaged tiles and a few paint splatters. The wall near the food disposal area had spill stains that appeared to have been there for some time. Page 18 Several of the ceiling tiles in the cafeteria were water-stained, and only one exit light was operating. The floor in the kitchen area was wet. Kitchen workers explained that the floor was filthy when they arrived and they had just finished scrubbing it. Apparently the facility had been used by a different team of kitchen worker during the summer, and the kitchen floor had been left dirty. Ventilation was tolerable
however, the workers had to open a side door to promote air flow. Although the cafeteria was air conditioned, not much of the cool air reached the kitchen area. Fire extinguishers were visible and easily accessible
however, the manager was unavailable and an assistant could not find the first aid kit. The exterminator was finishing up when we arrived, so the smell of bug spray was still evident. He promised that most of the bugs were gone
however, he could not get into the storage room to spray. Gymnasium The hardwood floor in the gymnasium was in excellent condition, and all the overhead lights were working. Although loud, the ventilation fan was very effective. Several empty boxes were piled in the gyms foyer. The principal said the teachers had requested them for a project. Restrooms District workers had repainted all the student restrooms during the summer. One girls restroom still had a strong paint odor. The door to the restroom was not marked and it was only after observing some girls enter the room did the monitor know which gender was supposed to use the restroom. Each sink had two faucets, but one sink had no knobs on either of the faucets, and the other two sinks only had a knob on one faucet. The bowls were chipped and rusted, and water pressure was low. The restroom lacked soap and had no disposal units for feminine hygiene products. One ceiling light was out. The facilities for boys were clean and stocked with toilet paper and paper towels, but lacked soap. In one boys' restroom, only one of the three stalls had a door. A large area of floor tile by the door was missing. Only four of six faucets were operational. Page 19OTTER CREEK ELEMENTARY Exterior The exterior was very neat and free of litter. Lots of evergreens and perennials in front of the school added to the attractiveness of the campus. No flags were on the poles. Interior The interior hall paint looked clean and fresh. Doorways painted in primary colors accented the neutral colored walls. Banners with motivational slogans decorated all areas of the building. The facility was clean and floors were shiny. Some ceiling tiles were damaged and a few were missing, apparently to allow access to the air conditioning units. Cafeteria and Kitchen Cafeteria floors were clean and waxed and most of the tables were clean. Various paper mache animal mobiles decorated the dining area, creating a colorful and uplifting display. One overhead light in the cafeteria was out. An area near the kitchen exit was cluttered with items used by the CARE Program. Restrooms The girls restrooms were clean, well supplied, and handicapped accessible. Some of the stall dividers were chipped, particularly at the comers. The boys restroom near the entry was clean, odor free, and well supplied. One stall was handicapped accessible. Page 20PARKVIEW HIGH SCHOOL Exterior The entire campus was neatly maintained and litter free. The entry areas included a variety of ornamental trees and plantings of annuals. Interior A sign advertising Open House was prominently displayed at the main entrance. The entry foyer and hallways around the media center and cafeteria were attractive, spacious, and offered areas conducive to relaxation. Many areas provided interesting displays pertinent to the subject matter being taught. A timeline of American history covered an entire wall along a social studies corridor, and fun math facts and puns brightened another. The school had nice bulletin board displays, many featuring pictures of the students, Students were very friendly, polite, and helpful, Some lockers needed replacement, The white vinyl tile floor in zone seven was discolored due to dirt or wax build up. Security and Safety Security was very visible in the main entry area. Security continuously patrolled the corridors, including the locker areas. All of the zones and specialty areas were clearly marked. Some of the exterior doors were unsecured. Many of the classroom doors were open and a few empty classrooms were unlocked. Media Center The large, attractive media center contained the standard collection of high school library books but appeared to have an enhanced arts collection consistent with its magnet theme. The center offered a lounge area for reading, a computer lab for word processing, and computers with various CD ROM capabilities. Cafeteria and Kitchen Both the north and south cafeterias were clean and free of litter. A colorful wall mural decorated the south end of the area, but the north part was dull and uninspired. The plexiglass used in doors and windows was stained, scratched, and marred. The kitchen was too small for the staff, compromising traffic flow and impeding activity. The kitchen ceiling was in very poor repair, and most of it was bowed. In one area, a dangling panel was in eminent danger of collapse. A similar situation existed in the kitchen storeroom, where a leaky roof had damaged a ceiling tile to the point of disintegration. Electrical wires dangled precariously above hot grease vats, and one of the wires touched a food warmer. A large section of floor tile was missing around the sink, creating hazardous footing. A kitchen worker reported seeing some bugs, although the exterminator had been to the school. Study hall classes met in the cafeteria immediately after breakfast and lunch, preventing kitchen personnel from cleaning the tables before students arrived for study hall. Page 21Gymnasium The foyer to the gymnasium was immaculate and decorated with school colors, trophy cases, and large photos of school championship teams, Several large fans provided comfortable air flow. The gymnasium floor was in superb condition, smelled of wax, and appeared recently sealed and buffed, The plexiglass in the entry door had some tape residue. Auditorium The auditorium was very clean, had excellent air conditioning, and was in general good repair, The ceiling tiles were in excellent condition, as were the theater seats, Although showing some wear, the carpet was in generally good shape, The stage drapery showed wear and dry rot in some areas, A staff member reported that the auditorium sound system did not always work properly. Restrooms The girls restroom was well lit, had clean sinks, was supphed with paper products and soap, and had disposal units for feminine hygiene products. The facility also had a sanitary napkin dispenser, but it appeared to be empty, The walls in one girls restroom were freshly painted, but with total disregard to avoiding paint splatters. Stall doors and partitions were defaced with graffiti, the floor was dirty, and the counter was very dusty and gritty. The large mirror was cracked and the ceiling had a large 12 n X 12" hole. Two other girls restrooms were locked. One of the boys restrooms was dirty and had a large hole in the wall where plumbing had been repaired. Otherwise, the facility was functional and contained paper products. Page 22ROMINE ELEMENTARY Exterior The school looked very attractive and had good "street appeal." Workers recently had repainted the exterior. The stucco portions of the building were painted in a shade that closely matched the buff brick. All trim was black. The monochromatic color scheme unified the building and served as a nice backdrop for the extensive landscaping. Students had filled numerous flower beds with blooming annuals that greatly enhanced the appearance of the school. The concrete sidewalks were flaking away in several locations around the campus, particularly around the main entrance. Interior Many areas of the building featured attractive touches, such as a little sponge-printed horse border in a hallway. Interior halls were highlighted by numerous murals depicting scenes from popular childrens literature. Corridors throughout the building were clean and shiny. Their walls were clean and free of scuff marks or stains, and floors were polished and litter-free. Many trash cans were strategically placed throughout the building. Media Center The media center, which recently had been renovated, was spacious, bright, and well lit. Celebrity posters encouraged reading. A bulletin board contained a stereotypical rendering of children of the world. The math bulletin board featured an outdated world map. Restrooms Girls restrooms were fully supplied with paper products and soap. Mirrors were clean and outside stall doors had been freshly painted. Restrooms contained feminine products dispensers and disposal units. Sinks were clean, but counter tops were very dusty. Paint was badly splattered where the stalls had been painted. Restroom floors were dirty and stall partitions were defaced with graffiti. The boys restrooms was fully supplied and generally clean. Page 23SOUTHWEST JUNIOR HIGH Exterior The exterior of the school was neat, but not very attractive. While mature pines and oak trees dotted the campus perimeter, the school was nearly devoid of landscaping. Flags were flying. Interior Motivational banners and signs were found throughout the corridors. An attractive display of African masks decorated a shadow box in the entry. Monitors saw the custodian actively engaged in a variety of tasks during our visit. While the floors were very clean and in generally good condition, we noted a few missing tiles in the main east-west corridor. Several ceiling tiles were missing or damaged and the paint on one skylight was flaking. The missing ceiling tiles seemed to have been removed due to leaking pipes overhead. Several buckets had been placed in the main corridor to catch the drips. The interior brick wall that was adjacent to the office had a long vertical crack. Some of the large plexiglass windows in the halls were cloudy or scratched. Security and Safety Security personnel were visible in the building and some of the teachers were in the halls during a class change. Students were orderly and relatively quiet during a class change. The loudest noise was from a teacher who was playfully engaging students. After the bell, a faculty member with a bullhorn shouted down the main hall at a student. Media Center The media center, which seated approximately 60 students, was well lit. All areas of the circulating collection were easily accessible. The carpeting was in excellent condition and plenty of bright posters and other visuals added to the room's attractiveness. While waiting to be distributed to classrooms, audiovisual equipment took up quite a bit of space in the center. Gymnasium The newly painted gymnasium looked very good. The facility was well ventilated, all lights were working, and the bleachers were in good condition. The floor was in fair condition. Restrooms The boys restroom on the main hall was out of order. The girls restroom in the 7th grade hall had no soap but was supplied with paper products. The stall for handicapped students lacked a toilet paper holder. The room appeared generally clean, but it had a musty order. Page 24TERRY ELEMENTARY Exterior The exterior of the building was attractive and in good repair, but the grounds showed signs of neglect. Three trees that appeared to have been recently planted were already dead. Much of the area adjacent to the building was rocky and unattractive. The brick side to an exterior stairway was crumbling and had several loose bricks. The playground was large, offered good equipment for children in the primary grades, and had two basketball courts. One of the basketball goals was broken and dangling from the backboard. A large number of discarded school desks and tables had been stacked near the dumpsters in back of the building. Interior The interior halls had attractive banners suspended intermittently from the ceiling. The names of students and their room assignments had been taped to the entries so that parents could easily find their childrens rooms. Classroom doors showed the remains of displays from previous years. Although waxed, the floor tile was cracked, chipped, broken, or mismatched throughout the building. The hallways served as a storage room in the kindergarten area, the apparent result of too little storage space. The courtyard adjacent to the media center was attractive, with a large mural across one entire wall. The area offered enough seating for a class and provided a convenient place for storytime and other book-related activities. Security and Safety Hallways had plenty of fire extinguishers clearly visible. Exterior light fixtures on the covered entryway were missing bulbs. The portable building was not handicapped accessible, and it did not have a covered walkway to the main building. An exterior exit door was not secure and the doors to some classrooms were ajar. Media Center The media center was small and allowed for seating only 30 students at a time. The facility had dozens of stuffed toy animals on display that were apparently used for story hour. In addition to being small, the center offered almost no storage, resulting in a cluttered appearance. Cafeteria and Kitchen Tables in the cafeteria were clean and in good repair, but (like so many of the cafeteria tables in the district) they had residue from stickers that had held directions for assembling the tables. The kitchen had plenty of space and was designed for ease of traffic. The children who were eating in the cafeteria were allowed to converse with each other and enjoy their meal. Aides quietly monitored the children
not one aide raised his or her voice. Page 25 The cafeteria was so chilly that several students complained of being cold, and a few had drawn their arms up into their sleeves to keep warm, making it impossible for them to eat. Ventilation in the kitchen area was almost nonexistent. Trash barrels blocked the tray-retum window. In the same area, several boxes were piled to within a few feet of the ceiling. Given the amount of kitchen clutter, it was not surprising that kitchen workers reported having a bug problem. The washing machine was leaking and several broken and damaged tiles in the wet area were creating a safety hazard. The stage had some tape residue. Restrooms Girls restrooms were supplied with paper products. Mirrors were clean, but some needed replating. Floors were free of litter and walls had no graffiti. Floors needed scrubbing as did the walls, and the girls restrooms had a faint unpleasant odor. The stalls were not handicapped accessible and stall doors were chipped and scratched. Both of the boys restrooms had strong urine odors, had broken or missing mirrors, and needed painting. Each was stocked with toilet paper, but only one had paper towels available. Page 26WILLIAMS MAGNET ELEMENTARY Exterior The exterior of the building was clean and attractive. A recent addition to the building closely matched the original structure. The front lawn and shrubs were well tended. The circle driveway to the front of the building caused a traffic bottleneck. The playgrounds included good equipment for primary grades and also had basketball courts and a soccer field. The lawn and shrubs in the back of the building suffered from neglect. Grass had not been trimmed and a sidewalk was obscured by dirt and trash. Nevertheless, the area had a generally pleasing appearance since the playground was on an ascending slope generously dotted with pretty trees. The window air conditioning units detracted from the buildings pleasing appearance. The most obvious eyesore was an exterior door to the kitchen which was made of peeling, shattering plywood. Interior The painted brick walls and finished concrete floors were clean throughout the building. Many examples of student work were prominently displayed on colorful hall boards. Classrooms observed through open doors were brightly decorated and very inviting. The halls lacked air conditioning and were very hot. Unsightly wires for the intercom system were visible along much of the corridor. The newly added multi-purpose room which adjoined the cafeteria was directly across from the front entrance, which created a traffic flow problem. Security and Safety Exterior side doors were unsecured. Monitors walked by several adults and into restrooms without being stopped or questioned as to our identity, which didn't occur at other schools we visited. An electric wire dangled from a fire box in the cafeteria. Media Center The small but attractive media center was serving students on the third day of school. It offered what appeared to be the standard collection of elementary books and materials and three computer work stations. The lay-in ceiling tiles had water damage around the vents, and the carpet showed extensive signs of aging, especially in areas where furniture had been moved around. Cafeteria and Kitchen Tables in the cafeteria had plastic sticker residue. Some of the tables were chipped and gouged. Cafeteria walls were dirty. Cracked and broken tiles in the kitchen posed a safety threat, and ventilation was extremely poor. Kitchen aisles were rather narrow, which could create a traffic problem during busy times. Page 27Restrooms The boys restrooms had paper products. The restrooms were not handicapped accessible. Floor and wall tiles in one girls restroom were damaged. One stall had no toilet paper and the facility had no paper towels. Dried wads of toilet paper clung to the walls and ceiling. The floor was dirty and littered. The restroom was not handicapped accessible. The lights went out in another girls restroom just as a class was entering the facility. The monitor had to hold the door open for the girls in order for them to see. One of the sinks was clogged and water pressure was poor. The stall doors needed paint. Page 28
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.