Schools

District 203 Seeks to Calm Concerns Over 'Supposals'

Rumors began circulating last week that schools would be closed in the district.

After rumors began circulating last week among parents with children in about “supposal” documents, in which different scenarios for the future of district schools were proposed, the district issued a community message in an attempt to calm concerned parents.

On Sunday night, District 203’s Superintendent Mark Mitrovich issued a statement to the school community attempting to allay concerns and to answer questions.

The district had undertaken a review of its schools including enrollments, capacity and demographics, according to the Mitrovich. A firm was hired to undertake the process and members of the community were included in the discussions and review process.

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Rumors began to circulate last week that schools would be closing and some residents believed the information was the district’s final plan, Mitrovich said in his message to families. The district, he said, continues to review a number of scenarios, emphasizing that no final plans have been made.

Part of the review process is the creation of “supposals,” which are “what ifs” that take into account a variety of factors such as demographics and enrollment, which it appears will continue to decline over the next five years. One supposal considered what the district might look like if some schools were closed, but Mitrovich in his message said that was only one aspect and that the district would also be looking at other supposals that would not include school closings. 

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Mitrovich said in a TribLocal story that the reality is that there may need to be some changes to school boundaries in the future, but that the district is a long way from closing schools.

The district is also considering offering an all-day Kindergarten, he said, but it will not be possible without lowering the number of students now enrolled at the district’s elementary schools.

The Board of Education will hear the first report of the findings on Dec. 19 at its meeting, held at 7 p.m. The meeting will be televised on NCTV17.

Feedback on the documents may be submitted at capacity@naperville203.org

 


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