Curtain Call: R.P. Hibbs Auditorum Needs New Drapes

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Congratulations to the cast of "Cinderella", whose efforts should be rewarded--according to most who saw the performances--by the replacement of the stage draperies in R.P. Hibbs Auditorium.

The dry-rotted drapes are a disgrace in a district that can spend $120,000 on new bleachers, reach a $200,000 agreement for scoreboards and grants with Pepsi, approve staff pay increases and purchase tractors. Replacement is on the administration's agenda with respect to complete renovation to R.P. Hibbs Auditorium if new school funding is approved. But, all agree this can't wait and it will be discussed among returning speech champions at the annual Dist. 300 Foundation dinner May 2.

Dist. 300 Superintendent Dr. Gary Kelly said he would like to upgrade the curtain system to an electronic motorized system and has asked all concern to be patient until the end of May when he hopes to here whether a capital development school plan is put in place by the Illinois General Assembly.

He said under such a plan, R.P. Hibbs Auditorium would be renovated with new ventilation, new seating, refinishing of the stage, new sound and lighting, new paint and trim and any other amenities required of a modern auditorium. He said the facility is a very substantial part of the high school and does not beleive the cost of a complete renovation will be prohibitive.