Dist. 203 launches feedback campaign

Naperville Unit District 203 is launching a "Touch the Future" campaign to solicit feedback on millions of dollars in proposed facility enhancements.

As part of the community engagement process that begins this month, the district will hold meetings at each of its 21 schools and offer tours of those most in need of repair.

The district hopes to bring at least 1,000 people into Naperville Central High School and Mill Street and Elmwood elementary schools during August and September.

Taxpayer support will be crucial for the district if it plans to spend more than $59 million on improvements, which would require a referendum push that could take place as early as February.

Melanie Raczkiewicz, associate superintendent for operations, said the schools belong to the entire community so officials want residents' guidance.

"We want to hear what they're thinking ... before we embark on a journey that may not lead us where we all want," she said.

The district's community engagement steering committee, made up of about 25 residents and staff members, began meeting in June to discuss how to best seek input on the proposed projects.

The district is exploring three potential facility plans ranging in cost from $22 million to $167.9 million.

Plan A is a $100 million option that follows the recommendations of a district facilities committee that spent six months studying possible projects. It calls for a $72 million major renovation to Central, $11 million renovation to Mill Street Elementary and building an $11 million early childhood center.

It also would improve Naperville North's pool and traffic flow and install synthetic turf on its football field. In addition, it would fix security issues at Ranch View, Prairie and Washington elementary schools and traffic problems at Prairie. Several variations call for redistricting.

Plan B would cost between $22 million and $46 million and calls for relatively minor renovations to Central focusing on science labs and synthetic turf. Mill Street would get $1 million fix to its parking and redistricting would reduce its enrollment. An early childhood center still would be built for $11 million. The remainder would be spent on smaller projects around the district, including deepening North's pool.

Finally, Plan C is a $167.9 million project that would involve reconfiguring the Caroline Martin Mitchell estate where Central is located, which likely would result in building a new school for about $140 million. The rest of this plan follows the facility committee recommendations.

Plans A and C would require voter approval for a tax increase.

Facility tours begin at 7 p.m. Aug. 21 at Central, 440 W. Aurora Ave. The first meeting will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 22 at Beebe Elementary, 110 E. 11th Ave.

During the 90-minute sessions, residents will watch a PowerPoint presentation detailing the district's three facility options and visit stations where they can discuss specific schools and issues.

Everyone who attends will have a chance to complete a feedback form that also will be available online. Residents also can ask for more information through a postcard being sent out in the district's annual report to the community.

Raczkiewicz said the district also will make presentations to service organizations.

In addition, the school board has approved hiring UNICOM-ARC to conduct a community phone survey in October regarding the facilities projects.

The school board plans to pick a plan by November.

For a complete meeting schedule and to sign up for tours, visit www.naperville203.org/departments/buildings/facilitiescommunityengagement.asp. The site will be ready late next week.

August community

engagement meetings

Naperville Unit District 203's community engagement steering committee will hold meetings at all 21 schools during August and September. For a complete calendar, visit www.naperville203.org/departments/buildings/facilitiescommunityengagement.asp.

Aug. 21: 7 p.m. at Naperville Central High School (tour only)

Aug. 22: 7 p.m. at Beebe Elementary

Aug. 23: 7 p.m. at Kingsley and Scott elementaries

Aug. 27: 7 p.m. at Central (tour only)

Aug. 28: 7 p.m. at Jefferson Junior High and Maplebrook Elementary

Aug. 29: 10 a.m. at Central (tour only); 7 p.m. at Washington Junior High and Naperville North High School

Aug. 30: 7 p.m. at Madison Junior High