Franklin Park, Northlake plan new programs, projects

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Updated: February 20, 2012 8:24AM

From a veterans’ wall to a new greenhouse, local governments are considering various efforts for 2012.

Here are a few actions municipalities and school districts are considering for this year:

In Franklin Park, the village government is considering:

Rebuilding the 3200 and 3300 block of Pearl Street and Reeve Court.

Patching and sealing the 3200–3600 blocks of Hawthorne and Emerson streets and Elder Lane.

Maintenance in alleys.

A proposal for low- or zero-energy homes with Cook County. “The village would get funds from the county to purchase the property,” Village President Barrett Pedersen said. “Then it would get grants to build homes using designs that would involve photovoltaic cell.”

Seeing if converting some village vehicles to run on natural gas is technically possible.

An ordinance that would allow the village to sell advertisements on its website or newsletter.

Installing cameras to catch illegal dumpers. For example, used tires have been illegally dumped several times near 17th Avenue and Medill, Pedersen said.

Redesigning the area near Al & Joe’s Deli to make it easier for people to get over Mannheim Road.

Transforming the former Leyden News Agency building near the Metra station into a greenhouse during the winter.

In Northlake, the city government is looking at:

Street repaving. The worst streets in the city are in the process of being identified and the city has budgeted money for the work, Mayor Jeff Sherwin said.

Completing a water interconnection with Franklin Park near Grand and Northwest avenues. Before that happens, the city needs permission to use the land owned by the Illinois Tollway and the Union Pacific Railroad.

Continuing the remodeling of City Hall, 55 E. North Ave. “It depends on how much funding (from the state) becomes available,” Sherwin said. Police moved into their own station two years ago, freeing up half of City Hall.

In Leyden Township, officials are planning:

A Veterans’ Honor Wall at the township offices. The dedication ceremony is scheduled for Nov. 11.

Expansion of its annual Independence Day celebration, including more food vendors and more music to go along with the fireworks.

An emergency calling system – also known as reverse 911.

A series of water and sewer system upgrades, if the state comes through with the money. “There are lines out there that are easily 60 years old,” Township Administrator Greg Ignoffo said.

Building large bins for road salt at the township highway garage.

Replacing florescent lighting with more energy-efficient LED lighting.

In Leyden District 212, educators plan to:

Move forward with putting a laptop computer in the hands of every student. The Board of Education has approved the purchase and budgeted the money, but there are still “thousands of questions to be answered and decisions to be made,” Superintendent Kathy Robbins said. Issues include what happens if a computer is lost or stolen, what the fee will be to parents and teaching the teachers how to use technology in the classrooms.

Starting or revamping seven courses starting in the fall - English, journalism, catering, algebra, mid-level geometry, auto fundamentals and advance placement psychology.

Shuffle administrators. Jason Markey will go from assistant principal to principal at East Leyden High School. Beth Concannon will go from principal at East Leyden to assistant superintendent for the district. Robert Johnson will retire as superintendent this year. The district expects to hire a new assistant principal at East Leyden by March.

At Mannheim District 83, educators plan to:

Increase collaboration between teachers, principals and staff. While educators have always talked to each other, the district plans to formalize the process, Superintendent Kim Petrasek said.

Analyze how well “interventions” are working with students, particularly in reading and math.

Continue to institute the state Common Core standards into the curriculum and instruction. It’s a huge project that runs through 2016.

Make technological improvements, including installing Wi-Fi in all the schools over the summer and increasing bandwidth.

At Franklin Park District 84:

Both Superintendent David Nemec and Passow Principal Jackie Frickie plan to retire in June.

More science, technology, engineering and math will be instituted into the industrial arts program at Hester Junior High School.

A new evaluation program for principals will be put in place. The Illinois State Board of Education is still developing the new program.