It’s not returning to work and facing their students that has some teachers at Hawthorn Primary School in Vernon Hills dreading the end of weekends and school holidays.
It’s the belief that once they enter the modern brick building their eyes will burn and they’ll have trouble breathing. Many teachers believe that the school building itself is making them ill and told the school District 73 Board as much this week.
Since 1995, some staffers at the school, which serves about 700 1st- and 2nd-grade students, have been working with district administrators to find a remedy for what they perceive is a sick building.
But now, some teachers say, they are fed up with waiting and want the board to take aggressive action now.
“We trusted them when they said they were going to take care of it, but it’s been dragging on for two years, and we know there’s a problem,” said a veteran teacher, who said she has spent six years in the building and suffers from respiratory problems. She asked to not be identified.
In two years, the school, at 430 N. Aspen Drive, has been the subject of three different studies regarding its air quality. One of the reports mentioned that elevated concentrations of carbon dioxide as well as low humidity levels may have contributed to the respiratory problems perceived by some at the school.
All three of the reports called for increased ventilation.
Some teachers also say there is evidence that the building is affecting the well-being of children attending the school.
Based on information they compiled from the school nurse’s office, the teachers say there have been 67 complaints of breathing difficulties or tightness in the chest by students since the beginning of the school year.
Teachers are careful to note that their concerns have not been ignored by district officials, but they say they want a more aggressive approach.
On Monday, about 40 of the 51 teachers from the school attended the school board meeting to express their concerns once again, this time in a public forum.
Many parents of children attending the 12-year-old school know little or nothing about the situation, according to school staff.
Some teachers say they believe it’s time parents become aware of a potential health risk to their children.
Teachers say they are frustrated at what they describe as a piecemeal approach by the district, which has done such things as increasing the number of times a year the school’s air filters are changed.
“We have a responsibility to these kids and this community to let them know,” said Conrad Floeter, a special education teacher at the school and vice president of the Hawthorn Teachers Association. “When parents start raising their voices, things get done.”
Some parents parked in front of the school waiting to pick up their children just before dismissal time Tuesday said they were unaware of any problem with the school building.
“I have not heard a word about this, this is all new to me,” said Valerie Cohen, a Vernon Hills resident and the mother of a 1st-grade student there. “If it’s true, it’s very scary.”
Christine Roumanidakis’ eyes widened when she heard of the staff members’ complaints.
“My son coughs constantly . . . he comes home, and within a half-hour of being home his coughing stops. I feel like I should have thought of it myself,” the Vernon Hills resident said.
After hearing from the teachers at Monday’s school board meeting, the board took no immediate action.
Jess Porres, District 73 associate superintendent, said that district officials are not minimizing the staff’s concerns. But he said the district wants to establish exactly what the problem is before spending a lot of money on possible solutions.
Porres said school officials are awaiting a test of the carpeting before taking any action.
