Dist. 203 residents favor major fixes

Naperville Unit District 203 residents favor extensive facility renovations over minor fixes, according to feedback the district has collected so far.

School officials have been holding community engagement meetings and facility tours to educate people about the three potential plans it is considering to improve its facilities and soliciting feedback on which options residents would support.

Two out of the three plans would require voter support via a referendum in February. It was those two plans, which include either a major renovation or complete rebuild of Naperville Central High School, that overwhelmingly garnered the most support.

Superintendent Alan Leis added that people who toured Central were largely in favor of rebuilding the aging and overcrowded school.

Of the total responses, roughly 240 were from those attending tours or community engagement meetings, 308 from either civic groups or the Internet, and 871 staff members. Respondents did not have to pick their favorite option but were able to say what level of support, if any, they would give each of the three.

Option A is a $100 million plan recommended by the district's facilities committee that includes a $72 million renovation to Naperville Central, $11 million renovations to Mill Street Elementary, and building an $11 million early childhood center. It also would improve North's pool, locker rooms and parking areas and address security issues at Ranch View, Prairie and Washington. This plan would cost the owner of a $331,000 home an additional $76 a year for each of the next 20 years.

Roughly 70 percent of those at tours or meetings, 67 percent of those from civic groups or the Internet, and 87 percent of staff said they would support this option.

Option B is a $22 million to $46 million plan that includes $6 million to $30 million renovations to Central, $1 million in renovations to Mill, and building an $11 million early childhood center. It would also improve North's pool and locker rooms and address security at Ranch View, Prairie and Washington. This plan would not require a tax increase.

Just 14 percent of people at tours or community engagement meetings, 40 percent from civic groups or the Internet, and 27 percent of staff said they support this plan.

Option C is a $158 million to $168 million plan that calls for a $130 million to $140 million rebuild of Naperville Central. The rest of this plan is the same as Option A. This plan would cost the owner of a $331,000 home an additional $187 to $206 a year for each of the next 20 years.

It garnered the support of 82 percent of tour or meeting respondents, 61 percent of those from civic groups or the Internet, and 62 percent of staff.

Leis said he believes the meetings have been successful in helping the community understand all of the options.

"I think we've all run into ... someone who believes that they had a fact about facilities I don't believe to be correct at all," he said. "This process is getting more people involved."

This month, the district will survey an additional 400 people by phone. The school board plans to vote which plan to pursue in November. A referendum vote would be held Feb. 5 if necessary.