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Community meetings on H-F expansion plans set for Nov. 6 and 9

Residents of Homewood-Flossmoor High School District 233 are invited to hear administrators outline plans for expansion and remodeling at Homewood-Flossmoor High School in Flossmoor.
 
Speakers will address residents at three meetings. The first is set for 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 6, in Room E-1 in the South Building.  Two meetings are set for Thursday, Nov. 9, at 9 a.m. in the TLC Room in the South Building and at 7 p.m. in Room E-1 in the South Building.
 
At the sessions, attendees will be given an opportunity to view a presentation about the facilities plan, ask questions and provide direct feedback. An electronic survey will be posted to the school’s website for those who cannot attend a session.
 
The Fine Arts Facility Expansion Project was presented to the school board at its Sept. 19 meeting. This project is one of the next steps in District 233’s Long Range Facilities and Maintenance Plan designed to ensure H-F’s facilities can meet the needs of students as the school’s curriculum evolves and technology continues to influence teaching and learning.
 
DLA Ltd. Architects shared basic concepts at the board meeting. The plan calls for a black box theater, improvements to the music area and classrooms at the South Building that would benefit the Media, Visual Arts and Performing Arts (MVP) Academy. These additions will free up a wing of classrooms for the Applied Academics program that needs space to grow.
 
The construction and remodeling could cost between $11 million and $16 million, depending on which plans the board approves. The money would come from the district’s reserve funds.
 
The school board has been saving funds for this future renovation and expansion, and it anticipates being able to fully fund this project through its capital project fund with no additional tax burden placed on the community. 
 
In January 2016, the board approved a curriculum change establishing the Media, Visual & Performing Arts (MVP) Academy. Starting this school year, students are able to start a two-year sequence that gives them opportunities to develop their talents in an art-focused field. 

In tandem with the creation of this program, administrators and teachers have seen a need to renovate and expand space for its growing Fine Arts Department, said Jodi Bryant, director of human resources and public relations. 
 

In the near future, the district is looking to also address a need to expand and improve its Applied Academics Department and Project Lead the Way/STEM classroom spaces. 
 
In the coming months, the district will be working with teachers, students, parents and community members to identify specific needs and to determine the project scope, she said. 
 
For more information, visit the high school’s website at hfhighschool.org or call 708-799-3000.

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