DECISION ★ ★ 2021 Thursday, February 25, 2021 • Hinsdale, Illinois • Volume XV, Issue 23 • 48 Pages • $1 on newsstands Community journalism the way it was meant to be DECISION ★ ★ 2021 D86 hopefuls share their posi- tions on the issues. Pages 5-6 Questions answered on COVID- 19 vaccine and pregnancy. Page 16 Central coach leads teams in netting success. Page 42 Just for kicks — Daniel Boucwell takes a shot on goal Friday afternoon at The Community House. He was taking part in a Mini Soccer class taught by Sports Kids that offers an intro- duction to soccer for kids ages 3 to 6. Basic soccer skills such as running, kicking passing and game play are covered in the class. (Jim Slonoff photo) Page 2 • February 25, 2021 • The Hinsdalean NEWS Crews have been work- ing on the Hinsdale Central pool for months but did not have the facility enclosed in time for this month’s signif- icant snowfall. The pool was wrapped in a plastic bub- ble so work could con- tinue, board President Kevin Camden said this week. (photos cour- tesy of District 86) Central pool on track to be open in June By Pamela Lannom was all caught and rectified.” pool is always going to be the wild which carry a $49.5 million price [email protected] Those issues prevented the roof card.” tag for both campuses. Bids have from being installed before the After the pool is poured and tile been accepted for Phase 2 projects Snow and extreme cold are just significant snowfall. Workers were and other finishes are installed, it but work has yet to begin. two of the challenges that have sur- able to build an enclosure to allow will be filled and checked for leaks. “We’re really positioned well faced during construction of the construction to continue, and they “You’re always hoping that goes for Phase 2 work and looking for new swimming pool complex at expected to install the roof this smoothly,” Patten said. opportunities to start that work Hinsdale Central High School, but week. The 10-lane pool is the only Phase where it makes sense,” Platten said. the facility is expected to be com- “We think with four or five good 1 project that has yet to be complet- Phase 2 work at Central includes pleted in June. days of 20s and 30s, we’ll be able ed and makes up the majority of life-safety and infrastructure “(We) have had some challeng- to get that roof far enough along the $23 million in Phase 1 projects upgrades, paving upgrades, stadi- es with a couple of different con- where it will be able to protect us at Central. Community members um grandstand replacement, the tracts that we worked through and from the weather,” Platten said. contributed $1.6 million toward student services addition and ren- obviously (we’re) hampered some- Workers also were getting ready the project, which will be named ovations, the fine arts addition and what by the significant snowfall to pour the first concrete slab this The Don Watson Aquatics Center. renovations, roof replacements and that has fallen over the last three week, and progress has been made Watson, who passed away in classroom upgrades. weeks,” Marty Platten of Pepper on the offices, locker room and November 2017 at age 87, coached The total project is about $1.7 Construction said at Friday’s lobby, he reported. the Central varsity boys swim team million under budget at this point, Hinsdale High School District 86 “It’s always a positive sign when to 12 consecutive titles. Platten said. Facilities and Special Committee you start to see finishes going in,” Phase 1 also includes $12 million The district will go out to bid meeting. “One of the challenges Platten said. “Things are trending worth of work at Hinsdale South. this fall for Phase 3 work, which is was the roof installation. We had well on the locker room side and The pool addition and renovations expected to begin in the spring of some issues with some materials. It those mechanical-type spaces. The there are part of Phase 2 projects, 2022. The Hinsdalean • February 25, 2021 • Page 3 DECISION ★ ★ 2021 NEWS D86 candidates weigh in on the issues Ten seek four open seats on the Hinsdale High School District 86 Board DECISION Where do the candidates stand on the issues? ★ ★ Pamela Lannom compiled these responses from personal interviews and questionnaires. 2021 Justin Baron Kevin Camden TJ Edwards Peggy James Debbie Levinthal District’s response to COVID-19 District did a much better job Board was committed to have District has done as well as Initial reaction to close Safety aspects have been than other districts, as students all students back in classrooms can be expected, but believes schools and move to remote handled well, but more cre- already had laptops and tablets. in August until CDC changed students need more instruc- model was appropriate; hybrid ativity was needed to maximize Appreciated choice for students the rules at the last minute. tion time each day and worries model has been improved along instructional minutes for stu- to attend hybrid in-person or County health department con- about gaps in learning and the the way. Concerned students are dents in full remote or hybrid. fully remote. Students who want tinues to mandate 6 feet and social-emotional impact. Look not getting enough instructional Motivated to get students back to resume full-time in person a mask. District budget lacks at options to allow a responsible time. Supports full in-person full-time in person in the fall. should be able to. resources to offer completely and safe return to 100 percent instruction with fully remote Zoom could offer options after synchronous learning. Labor in-person learning. Would like option and thinks it might be pandemic for delivering instruc- and management have learned to see some of the flexibility of possible for all who want it. tion to students at one school new ways to work together to remote learning continue after More creative thinking is nec- from the other and for board address disruptive events. pandemic is over. essary. Appreciates leadership meeting attendance. role district took in providing vaccinations. Changes to math and science curriculums Science sequence should be Defers to professional staff Believes it’s too late to com- Science sequence presents Has been vocal against both biology-chemistry-physics to recommendations about phys- ment on changes to science cur- options for students strong in initiatives. Does not see data to be consistent with other high ics-chemistry-biology sequence riculum. Believes a “yes” vote math to begin with more hands- support PCB science sequence. schools in the state. Believes and integrated math. Thinks on math curriculum is a vote to on physics instruction, but now Data does show integrated math integrated math sounds confus- teachers have offered sound explore, evaluate, research and freshmen need appropriate creates a decline in SAT scores ing; wants to know which high arguments about the benefits of challenge proposed changes math background to take phys- and has been rolled back in schools are offering it and how it both and believes they will allow to curriculum. District always ics. Integrated math does not other states. Worries both are will boost test scores. the district to serve students as should be looking for ways to appear to be rooted in science an example of a one-size-fits-all they come in and those who provide opportunities for stu- and not all feeder districts sup- curriculum. Community needs wish to take higher-level classes. dents at all levels. port the change. Curriculum to know what is driving change changes should not be a priority to curriculum and differentia- during a pandemic. tion. Future Ready Facilities projects Voted no on both refer- Happy to see buildings will be Is excited to see classrooms Supported referendum. Supported both referendums endums based on what he more functional, with appropri- that offer appropriate technol- Believes district had been falling and worked to see second one described as a fear-based pro- ate heating and infrastructure ogy and allow for enhanced behind other districts in terms of passed. Believes having safe, cess to encourage approval. As a and functioning systems. Fixing tools to be used. Likes desks that facilities. Is excited for classroom up-to-date, healthy facilities is former swimmer and water polo stadium and track at Central to allow students to work collabo- updates and changes to pool, important to success of public player, is excited to see how the be ADA compliant and class- ratively and thinks it’s important arts and music rooms, and sci- schools. Is excited to see Central new pools turn out. room improvements are awe- kids feel good about the space ence labs. pool, which hopefully will open some. they are learning in. for community use, and beauti- ful new library at South. Top three responsibilities of a board member 1. Stability — give teachers 1. Manage the district admin- 1. Ensure students safely 1. Championing open gov- 1. Ensure the district is reflec- proper resources, appropriately istration as to meet the district’s return to in-person learning ernance through community tive of educational goals and val- address community’s concerns mission and address any learning gaps engagement and collaboration ues of community and provide 2. Unity — board must listen 2. Be stewards of district that have resulted from the pan- 2. Providing guidance to opportunities for communica- to concerns of constituents, who finances, realizing the funds are demic and holding superintendent tion with stakeholders encompass a range of races and taxpayer dollars 2.