Insensitivity to Wil-O-Way residents

Insensitivity to Wil-O-Way residents

I feel the need to express my deep dissatisfaction and disappointment in Naperville Unit District 203 board’s decision to redistrict Wil-O-Way subdivision for the second time in two years while offering very few options for keeping affected families together on their educational journey — despite their stated desires to do just that.

When my wife and I moved from Chicago 15 years ago with a 6-month-old baby in tow, we looked at many suburbs but chose Naperville for many reasons, mainly because of the fantastic reputation of District 203. In those fifteen years, we’ve had two more wonderful children and have moved once — from Wil-O-Way to what the board terms “West Branch” — though my plot of survey clearly states Wil-O-Way — and have put down solid roots in the community.

However, due to the board’s vote this week, I’m now faced with a decision that had seemed almost unfathomable. Should I sell my house and move to a different part of Naperville so that my two teenage sons can share their high school experiences and help their younger sister with hers when she is in high school? Do I move to another city or another state to keep my family together throughout their educational journeys? Do I hire an attorney to investigate the legality of such a redistricting by the board (how can you redistrict a subdivision that doesn’t exist)?

Did they consider how their vote would affect individuals, families and neighborhoods? Where did Superintendent Mitrovich come off telling others that Wil-O-Way residents are happy to be going to Naperville Central High School? He certainly didn’t ask me or anyone that I know.

The Naperville 203 board proved that the world is a cold harsh place filled with unpleasant realities, hidden agendas and heartlessness. Is this the true meaning of a District 203 “education?”

David Klaiber

Naperville