District 203 Seeks Input From Community, Parents

Families with children in were caught off guard when officials from the district recently posted proposed maps known as supposals, which detailed how school enrollments and school boundaries might change in the future.

The district tried to calm families, explaining that the maps were just ideas of what might happen, but parents took issue with the manner in which the material was made public. 

Concerned families attended the district's board meeting on Dec. 5 to share their views. Then, on met to discuss other supposals for district schools. District Superintendent Mark Mitrovich said he would ask the board of education to vote to put the plans on hold at its Dec. 19 meeting.

The District issued the following message to families over the weekend: 

The Enrollment Capacity Study Group met on Dec. 7, to review additional supposals for the District 203 capacity and boundary study. After reviewing the first map representing the elementary schools, the committee determined that several significant areas needed to be addressed before the map could be considered. They also reached a consensus decision that the map as presented would not be posted to the web site since it would not be put before the Board of Education.

Other updates include:

1. Minutes from the December 7 meeting of the ECS group are posted online athttp://www.naperville203.org/about/DemoCapacityPlan.asp
2. The supposal maps from the first exercise, which ran a scenario involving two school closings, will be removed from the web site because they are not a viable option.
3. No maps other than the elementary map were reviewed and the committee voted to exclude posting this map; therefore, no new maps will be posted to the web site at this time.
4. The committee will be expanded to include a representative from each school. Meetings will resume following the holidays. Details will follow later.
5. Public information sessions will be scheduled throughout the district. Dates are being secured. These will take place late January or early February.
6. Notification of all publics, not limited to those with current school-age children, will take place as part of the review process.

Finally, because this process may extend into the time when high school students need to register for classes a determination was made that all current high school students will remain in their present school for the 2012-2013 academic year.

There are many questions concerning timelines and grandfathering. As specific information is available, families will be informed. The District would like to hear your input, comments and questions. The most direct way to share your thoughts is through an email to capacity@naperville203.org.