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I Directly above is East campus, the school that housed all MCHS students from its opening in the mid-twenties until 1968. At that time it became the educational center for freshmen and sophomores. At right, above, is West campus, which opened its doors to juniors and seniors in 1968 and continued to do so until the end of the last term. This fall, in a move that eventually will see the return to two distinct, four-year campuses, all freshmen are attending East, all seniors are at West, and sophomores and juniors attend the campus designated by boundary lines. STAFF PHOTOS-WAYNE GAYLORD m * 4-Year School Comeback New and exciting changes await McHenry Community high school students as the new term gets under way. The basic structure of the McHenry Community high school has been altered so as to eventually have two, distinct, four-year campuses. According to Robert Swart- zloff, superintendent of School District 156, the new program is intended to remedy some of the problems inherent in two, two- year campuses. The difference this year is that all of the sophomores and juniorS are attending both East and West schools, depending on their place of residence. Those students living east of Route 31 are attending East campus, while those west of Route 31 go to West. Swartzloff said all seniors go to West campus so , they can graduate together and not have to change schools again. The incoming freshman class go to East campus. The four-year school will eliminate the 50 percent student turnover every year, Swartzloff pointed out. This will give teachers and students a chance to know each other over a longer period of time. "Before, just as the teacher was getting to know the needs of the student, the student would leave to go to another school," the administrator observed. There was also a communication gap because teachers were in different buildings a mile apart and found it difficult to confer about a particular student. The change is also expected to have an effect on some of the students behaviorally. "At registration, the climate was different-very definitely for the better," Swartzloff said. Now, the underclassmen will have juniors and seniors to act as models. According to Swartzloff, behavior at East campus resembled more a junior high than a high school in recent years. The 11-year experiment with the two-two campus did not work, Swartzloff observed. There are problems in trying to develop a coordinated four- year program when there is one school housed in two buildings. Program continuity, sequence and communication all suf­ fered under the two-two program, according to the administrator. For a while, Swartzloff said, we will still have one high school in two buildings, but the students will stay in the one building for four years. There are some differences between the campuses. East campus has more in the way of science labs and industrial arts shops, where West campus has more theatre arts facilities. Swartzloff said that students would have equal opportunity at either campus. Swartzloff continued by saying that the school will provide bus service for students who have to get to another building for another class. The class scheduling has been staggered between the buildings to allow for the bus travel time. Classes at one building start about 10 minutes later than classes at the other. Sometime in the not too distant future, McHenry will have two separate high schools, Swartzloff hopes, and each will develop its own school pride and identity. "We think the four-year school will rectify the problems inherent in the two-two system and we are looking forward with anticipation and ex: citement to the coming year," he concluded. (Continued on page 16) Campus Choices KAREN KOLBINGER Junior At East "I don't like it. I'd rather be at West". PAUL ANDERSON Junior At East "I really don't care" As populations grow, more and more communities are finding it necessary to build more schools, and to determine, as fairly as possible, boundary lines. It happened in Waukegan several years ago. It happened in Crystal Lake last year. And it is happening in McHenry this year. Almost always the young prefer the new -- but not always. A Plaindealer reporter talked with a few juniors at East last Friday and found three1 who would prefer attending West, one new student who hadn't made Vup her mind, and one who didn't care. THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER "SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875" atoarb IDinmng jhtospapcr 1978-- & Illinois Press Association Newspaper Contest VOLUME 104 NUMBER 15 WEDNISQAY, SEPTEMBER 19t 1979 2 SECTIONS 24 PAGES 20' Nine-Day McHenry School Strike Ends The nine-day teachers' strike in Elementary School District 15 came to an end shortly after 6 o'clock last Monday morning, and nearly 3,000 children were back in the classrooms a few hours later. The vote of agreement on the package presented by the board was 88- 22. A weary Judy Hamilton, president of the McHenry Classroom Teachers association, presented the package to 110 teachers in the First United Methodist church meeting room, which had served as their headquarters for the past two weeks. "Over a two-year period it will be an equitable set­ tlement", Ms. Hamilton commented as she observed the adverse effect of the docking issue. In the final agreement, the teachers will be paid for three days during which they were on strike and will be docked for six. In concluding her state­ ment, Ms. Hamilton ex­ pressed her view that "the teachers command the respect of everyone in the community because we are a voice that has been heard". One of the important issues was salary. In the two-year contract which will be signed at the Tuesday, Sept. 25, school At this writing, the school strike in District 15 continues. If it should - and we are hopeful - be settled by publishing day, these thoughts may still be worth considering. Our observations in a newspaper office are that the , majority of people who have given consideration to the strike at all, are biased. This is to be expected. But there is hope. There are some who believe this is a problem that is not all black on one side and white on the other. They realize the pressures of the times and acknowledge that any one view of the problem is probably not all right. Consider the teachers. They have a job not too many would want. Working with one or two children can be a pleasure, but a room full of them can be a nightmare. Unfortunately, discipline in the home is not often what it used to be. This is not sur­ prising, for the Moms and Dac^ raising today's students were brought up in an entirely new concept of behavior. They can hardly be expected to view respect with the same hard approach that one time existed. This is a new way of life and we're all caught up in it. Five or six hours spent in trying to keep a room quiet so that the teaching can seep in is often an ordeal. And teachers grew up in a profession that takes pride in dedication to job. But they want some of the fringe benefits others expect - and get - and they are doing wtffct they see others do to get them. board meeting, the teachers will receive a 10 percent raise the first year. They are guaranteed an 8 percent in­ crease the second year, with the possibility of a 10 percent maximum through a cost of living index. The beginning teacher with a Bachelor's degree will receive $11,910 under the new 1979-1980 salary schedule. Last year the starting salary was $10,958. The salary includes a 7 percent board paid retirement. The highest paid teacher under the new schedule will be one who has a Master's degree plus 16 semester hours and with 18 or more years of teaching experience. The salary is $21,375. Administrators in District 15 were recently granted generally a 10 percent salary increase. When the new package was finally approved, several items originally requested had been dropped. These were sick leave; the sick leave bank in which teachers would donate two days to be used by one of them who might have an ex­ tended illness; and class size. The latter had been a point of considerable debate throughout the strike. On the subject of planning time, administrators in the individual buildings will adjust scheduling in grades 1 through 5 to allow time for preparation and other instructional and non-instructional respon­ sibilities. The teachers had contended this was not previously uniform in all schools. The request for team leaders was heard by the board and reinstated in the lower grades, where the practice of naming such leaders had been dropped. Selected by the administration, they will receive $600 per grade level. The teachers had asked to name their own leaders. • To the request for dental insurance, the board instituted a plan, effective next year, in wtjich $70 will be allowed per individual each year. No change was made in the extra duty pay. On the topic of professional growth, the plan approved calls for the current staff, for a period of six years, to be reimbursed $20 per semester hour for college courses if approved by the principals. The maximum payment is for nine semester hours. A mutual "no reprisal" clause was agreed upon. On the matter of personal leave days, the board increased the number from one to two, with the same stipulation that they cannot be taken at the beginning or end of the school year or at the beginning or end of school vacations. The settlement, reached after grueling hours of bargaining last weekend, ended days of intense negotiating which until Sunday, were fruitless. Two members of the board and two members of the teachers' negotiating teams met with their representatives and the federal conciliator in Rockford from 2 p.m. to past midnight Saturday. On Sunday afternoon they convened again in McHenry, and after a time the board asked the teachers to return at a later hour, when the new package was presented. The strike was the first on record in a McHenry school district. Now consider the board. These are men and women who are doing a job for their community. Of course they ran for office because they wanted the job, but this doesn't alter the fact that they are fulfilling a public responsibility that many refuse.. Contrary to what some people would like to believe, there is no compensation for their work. Unfortunately, there is also very little gratitude from the very people they are serving. There is criticism ~ criticism for long meetings, thought and expertise - for listening to complaining parents and complaining taxpayers. Their job is to satisfy just about everyone, and it's impossible. Few of us take the time to put ourselves in the position of either teacher or board member. They are very human people who make mistakes. The fact that they continue to try - and that they do many things right - should make us indebted to them. We sincerely believe that the board and teachers are the best people to solve their problem without outside help from those, well meaning as they may be, who cannot possibly be as knowledgeable without the background and experience. And when the problems are solved, we would hope for a tremendous effort on the part of each of us to forget the anger and frustration and go about the business of school as usual. KAF Land Use Plan Vote A special meeting of the McHenry County board has been called by Chairman Richard Klemm for Friday, Oct. 4, at 9 a.m. in the courthouse. The topic will be discussion and adoption of the proposed Land Use plan and the zoning ordinance. A deadline for receiving comments from the public was extended until Aug. 31. Now, the Planning commission, Land Use committee and staff are being granted sufficient time also to carefully consider the comments. If the zoning ordinance text is approved Oct. 4, other meetings will be held Oct. 9,10and 11 at 7 p.m. to consider and vote on the mapping changes. College-Career Fair Set Oct. 11 On Thursday, Oct. 11, approximately 85 colleges, universities, and technical agencies will be on hand at McHenry County college for the sixth annual county-wide College and Career fair. According to Shirley LeGare, MCC counselor and coordinator of high school articulation, the afternoon (2:30-4:30 p.m.) and evening (7-9 p.m.) programs are designed to provide area high school students, college students, and parents the opportunity to become acquainted with a wide variety of post-high school educational and training programs. The College and Career fair is a no-cost, cooperative program co-sponsored by McHenry County college and all of the area high schools. Flyers containing summary information about each participating school and agency can be obtained through each high school counseling office and the office of student services at McHenry County college. In addition to the opportunity to discuss plans and concerns with the many representatives, special seminars will be conducted to familiarize parents and students with the many alternatives available to finance a post-high school education. Further information concerning the Cqllgge and Career fair may be obtained by- contacting the MCHS ancT Johnsburg school counseling offices m* by calling a counselor at the college. Four Injured In Weekend Crashes Four McHenry area residents were injured, one of them hospitalized, and two cars were totalled in separate accidents over the weekend. Gerald W. Birch, of 1806 W. Fargo avenue, McHenry, was listed in good condition at Condell Memorial hospital, Libertyville, after his car went off of Wright road. Birch was unable to comment at the time of the accident. Timothy B. Tiess, of 5306 N. Highland, McHenry, told Sheriffs police that he lost control of his car as it came down a hill on Ringwood road. Tiess said his car, which rolled over three times before coming to a stop, started shaking as he came down the hill. Tiess was taken to McHenry hospital by the Johnsburg Rescue squad, where he was treated and released Saturday afternoon. Tiess was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, or, driving too fast for conditions. The Johnsburg Rescue squad was also called to an accident on Route 31 near Johnsburg road when a car, driven by Steven J. Erickson, of 1102 W. State Awards To Plaindealer The McHenry Plaindealer won honorable mention awards in two categories at the annual Illinois press association competition held last weekend in Springfield. * The winnings were in the News Story category, second honorable mention; and News Photograph class, third honorable mention. The news story submitted, one in a large field of competition, concerned the tragic school bus accident last October that resulted in one death. The story was in three parts, including the facts, the community involvement, and the efforts to dispel rumors. The picture by Wayne Gaylord, taken during one of last winter's storms, showed a resident of Whispering Oaks looking in disbelief to see the driveway he had Just cleared again filled wiih snow Aw to a passing plow. The judge commented: "This is one of the best weather story pictures I've seen. While it doesn't have the dramatic impact of a more serious story, the treatment of the subject is both timely and humorous". The picture had won honors previously in regional photographic competition. The Plaindealer has been among state winners in the IPA competition each year of the past nine years. Elder, McHenry, went off the road. The police report stated that Erickson "apparently fell asleep." Erickson was treated and released from McHenry hospital. Shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday, Douglass Wisner, of 1204 River terrace, McHenry, was taken to McHenry hospital, where he was treated and released after his car skidded on gravel and hit a tree. Wisner was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, or, driving too fast for conditions. A car driven by Dean T. Fung of Wonder Lake, was totalled after it went off Dean street and hit both a fence and a tree. Fung told police he was driving north on Dean street and had to swerve to avoid another auto which was in his lane. Another car was demolished earlier in the week, this one on River road. When the police arrived, they found the car and no driver. The car apparently went off the road and rolled, coming to rest on all four wheels in a ditch, according to the police report. The driver of the car, Nicholas J. Troka, of 3213 S. Waterview, McHenry, later told police an animal darted in front of the car and he pulled to the left to avoid it. The car rolled over when he tried to straighten out on the gravel shoulder. Troka was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. Thomas J. Cheatham, of 3719 W. Maple, McHenry, told police a deer jumped in front of his car. Cheatham said he hit a tree when he swerved to avoid the deer. Daniel E. Wagner, of 2601 Ringwood road, McHenry, said he lost control of his motorcycle when it hit a piece of debris on the dirt road. The rider and the bike slid into a baseball backstop. The driver was not seriously hurt. A two-car collision left a third driver with two tickets Friday morning on Route 12 near Fox Lake. Albert K. Horn, of 4707 Gregory street, McHenry, was cited for failure to yield the right-of-way from a stop or intersection and failure to give aid or information after he pulled out in front of another auto. Raymond W. Sander of Fox Lake told police that his car was hit by another vehicle after it tried to avoidrHorn's car. The driver ofy the other vehicle, Richard Pletz of Antioch, applied his brakes to avoid hitting Horn's car and slid into the opposite lane, striking Sander's auto. Horn was later stopped by the police in Fox Lake, where he was shopping. Sam Parisi, of 5219 W. Shore drive, McHenry, was ticketed for failure to yield the right-of- way turning left after he turned (Continued on page 16)