HMS Won't Re-Open Until Jan. 28

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Hinsdale Middle School will remain closed until at least Jan. 28 after the District 181 Board of Education voted unanimously Monday night to approve more than $350,000 worth of drywall work and ductwork cleaning related to water damage at the school. 

Superintendent Renée Schuster updated the community with a letter Monday night after a three-hour emergency board meeting to address the facilities issue at HMS. Board members heard from representatives of district consultants Integrity Environmental Services and SERVPRO. 

It was announced over the weekend that HMS was going to be closed Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, and on Sunday a letter from Schuster said it could be closed through Friday. 

Schuster said in her latest letter that the board requested she and the administration look into the possibility of alternating schedule with Clarendon Hills Middle School students. 

"If such a possibility is a viable option, classes could resume later this week, but would take place at Clarendon Hills Middle School," Schuster wrote.

READ: How Will HMS Off-Days Be Made Up?

Check back with Patch for more on Monday night's meeting later.

Here is Schuster's full letter:

Dear District 181 Community,

This is a brief update on the latest news regarding Hinsdale Middle School and the emergency Board meeting that took place this evening. A comprehensive Board Summary and much more detail will be forthcoming.

The Board of Education unanimously approved two motions (Vote 7-0). The motions authorize SERVPRO to:

• Remove the cove base (baseboards) and lower portions of drywall throughout the building, seal the area with microbial sealer, and install a new cove base at a cost of $129,512; and
• Conduct ductwork cleaning at a cost of $255,000.

The Board Summary (to be emailed and posted online January 21) will help to outline the reasons for this work and the extensive deliberation that took place during the three-hour emergency Board meeting.

In regard to the impact of these Board approvals for HMS families and staff, students will not be in attendance on Tuesday and Wednesday as previously announced so that SERVPRO can continue their work, begin baseboard removal, and additional testing can be conducted as needed. Also important to note is that the building will be closed through at least Tuesday of next week. However, the administration, per a request from the Board, is investigating the possibility of a split schedule or alternating schedule with Clarendon Hills Middle School. If such a possibility is a viable option, classes could resume later this week, but would take place at Clarendon Hills Middle School.

Communication to HMS families and staff will continue on a daily basis via email; new posts will continue to be made to the HMS Facility Updates webpage, as well.

Sincerely,

Dr. Renée Schuster
Superintendent 

Catch up on Patch's HMS reporting:

• HMS Has 'Serious' Air Quality, Moisture Issues, Schuster Says
• HMS Closed Tuesday, Wednesday For Mold Removal, Testing
• HMS Closed Friday For Cleaning, Testing