Decatur School Board invests in modular classrooms

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND)- The Decatur School Board is taking action to help students and staff at Dennis Lab Schools.

Dennis was moved into Garfield alternative school and modular classrooms after the Dennis buildings were determined to be structurally unsafe in June 2023.

For weeks teachers and students have complained about a lack of space and a lack of a long term plan for the schools.

Superintendent Dr. Rochelle Clark says modular classrooms cost more than $200,000 a year each.

But the District can bring in three office trailers for about $50,000 a year.

"They're currently in the modulars and in the buildings, but they're more like created spaces- like I may come out in the hallway to do some of the things I need to do, because I don't actually have an office in either one of those buildings," said Dr. Clark.

The six offices can be used for confidential meetings and one on one intervention sessions.

The board will still need to vote on a formal contract but board members gave Dr. Clark the green light to begin negotiating with vendors.