Kaneland school district to hold hearings on boundary changes

Voters in Kaneland School District 302 approved the building of a new middle school and an addition to Blackberry Creek Elementary School in February.

Officials now face the task of deciding exactly where the boundaries will be for the 2009/2010 school year, a topic that invariably causes anxiety for parents.

The district will hold four public hearings on the topic to provide information and gather input from parents and residents.

"Obviously, with the addition of a middle school, we need to determine who is going to go to the new school, and who will stay at the old one," said Tom Runty, assistant superintendent of business for the district. The current middle school is on the campus of the high school in Maple Park. The new middle school is being constructed on the north side of Sugar Grove.

"We have to look at various options," Runty added. "One school will be larger. Do you balance the curriculum, the programs, to make it 50-50? We want both schools to offer the same opportunities for students."

Runty acknowledged that boundary changes always cause "angst" among parents.

"How long will (the boundary changes) last is always a consideration," Runty said. "When housing growth starts again, will we have to shift? Resetting boundaries after a change is made becomes more problematic for the community."

The district will also look at changing elementary school boundaries.

"If we need to make changes to elementary school boundaries, now is the time to do it," Runty said.

A decision is expected before the winter break.

Hearings will begin at 7 p.m. They have been scheduled for Sept. 23 at McDole Elementary School, 2901 Foxmoor Drive, Montgomery; Sept. 24 at John Shields Elementary School, 85 S. Main St., Sugar Grove; Sept. 30 at John Stewart Elementary School, 817 Prairie Valley St., Elburn, and Oct. 7 at Blackberry Creek Elementary School, 1122 S. Anderson Road, Elburn.