In the late 1990s Cook County High School held approximately 600 students.
“But today we have 476 students,” said Superintendent Beth Schwarz to the school board at its October meeting.
With extra space and more coming — projections are for a continued decline in student enrollment — Schwarz said, “We want to explore ideas of how to use our facilities more efficiently.”
And potentially find ways to make more money.
Currently, “we are getting some revenue from AEOA, Arrowhead Center for Arts and Community Education,” Schwarz told the board.
In the not-too-distant past the Arrowhead Center for the Arts (ACA) was the site of WTIP radio but that ended when the station moved to a new facility. Money generated from WTIP’s rent helped offset the ACA’s operating expenses.
The location of the new Community Center will have an impact on the discussion. Because, said Schwartz, if the center will be built onto the school then plans will change. To date there is no formal location for the center, but a consulting firm has been hired and a site recommendation will be forthcoming in a month or so, noted Schwarz.
In the meantime, the staff will be asked for ideas, and the administration is looking at how and when to gather community input.
Schwarz will bring back more information to the board at its next meeting.
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