District 214 raises summer school fees, but less than recommended

The cost of attending summer school is going up in Northwest Suburban High School District 214 for the first time in years, officials said, but not as much as was once proposed.

The District 214 school board approved a plan for 2013 summer school that includes course costs of $177.50 per class, up from the $155 that had been charged for the past several years. District staff earlier this month recommended $200 per class.

A survey of Chicago-area school districts found that summer school courses at surrounding schools range from $50 to $400, said Rosemary Pinnick, associate superintendent for educational services.

The transportation fee for students also will increase, from $35 to $42.50 per summer session. District staff had recommended an increase to $50.

In 2012, about 2,800 students, nearly a fourth of all students in District 214, took summer school classes, Pinnick said.

The big question mark this summer will be how far summer enrollment falls with the board’s elimination of Information Processing as a course required for graduation. Many students used summer school to complete course, filling 11 sections of classes last summer.

Superintendent Dave Schuler said this summer will be a learning experience and maybe the district can use it going forward to look at what courses should be offered during summer school.

“We need to just study things for a year before making any major changes,” he said.

Students who cannot afford summer school are able to get a tuition and fee waiver, said Deb Parenti, associate superintendent for finance and operations.

Registration for summer school begins March 4, 2013. Courses next summer will be held at John Hersey and Prospect high schools.