Forum on future of Mokena Intermediate School slated for Jan. 19

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Updated: February 12, 2012 8:12AM

A public meeting on the future of Mokena Intermediate School is scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 19 at the school, 11331 W. 195th St.

Mokena School District 159 has been considering closing the school to save money, but various factors and contingencies have prevented district officials from pinpointing the amount and whether the savings would outweigh the benefits of keeping the school open.

The District 159 board committee that oversees buildings and grounds is to expected to make a final recommendation on the issue to the full board at its Feb. 9 meeting. But the committee wants public input before making its recommendation, board member Mike Ford said.

The committee met last week, and Supt. Steve Stein outlined three options in a preview of a presentation the district will make to residents: keep MIS open and lease part of the building, close MIS and lease the entire building, or keep MIS open and lease out part of Mokena Elementary School instead.

Ford said the public will want to know the costs and revenue possibilities associated with each option.

“I think the community is so cost-conscious right now, in the economy we live in, that they’re going to want to see it as quantifiable benefits,” Ford said.

Board President John Troy said the board also would “need those numbers” before it could decide whether to accept the committee recommendation.