Degree Name

Education Specialist (EdS)

Semester of Degree Completion

1978

Thesis Director

Robert V. Shuff

Abstract

The purpose of this field study is to explore the need for a building program, to give recommendations for the best building site and why, and to check the feelings of the community on the passing of a referendum in Community Unit #3, Palestine, Illinois.

This study included an evaluation of both the elementary and the high school buildings. This included the condition and availability of classroom space and special education space.

The best possible site for a building program and reasons for the choice site were considered.

The community of Palestine in the past has passed referendums for building projects, if the school has been capable of showing a real need for the building.

It is the belief of this author that a referendum could pass, but it will take much research and communication between the school personnel and the community. The board of education and administration must be definite on what they want and be convinced that it is the best building program possible, before they try to persuade the citizens of the community to support the program.

The reason for the consideration of a building program is a result of all the mandated programs and the emergence of girls athletics.

The Palestine Community Unit Schools are located in the village of Palestine, Illinois, a town situated in the south eastern area of Crawford County. The Palestine Community Unit District #3 is a consolidated unit school district with the assessed valuation of $10,599,455 and the bonding ability of $1,486,764. The town of Palestine has a population of about 1,650 people. The Unit #3 District has a population of about 612 students of which 190 are presently enrolled in grades 9 through 12.

Many parents live in the Palestine area and commute to Robinson which is 7 miles west of Palestine.

The rural areas have a diversified type of agriculture, and business in the village is geared largely as supportive of agriculture enterprise. Palestine school district is considered 100% rural. The district has no private or parochial schools.

The community is composed primarily of middle class citizens--a stable community of citizens who take pride in their homes, schools, and businesses. A large portion of this population is native to the Palestine area. However, current trends seem to indicate increased movement from the metropolitan areas. Most of the residents are commuter oriented-working in nearby towns. The working population seems to be primarily skilled and semi-skilled laborers. The main education level of the people of the Palestine Community has risen sharply within the last five years. This increase in education level is due in part, to the courses offered at Lincoln Trail Junior College and the courses offered at Palestine through the continuing education program.

The high school student enrollment has been stable over the last ten years and by all indications it will remain stable for at least the next five years.

Realizing that quality education can not exist without good facilities, high morale on the part of the faculty, and contentment, pride, and a learning attitude on the part of the students, this writer feels that the citizens of this community would support a building program, if they could be assured that it would solve the majority of the problems that the school district now has.

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