District 200 eyeing boundary changes

Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200 officials unveiled a recommendation for boundary changes to address overcrowding concerns at Franklin Middle School.

The proposal would transfer 89 students from Franklin to Monroe Middle School — both in Wheaton — for the 2012-2013 school year.

The district mailed a letter to parents Thursday outlining the recommendation and inviting them to attend a meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, at Franklin where they can share their suggestions.

“It’s never ideal,” Superintendent Brian Harris said. “Never. It’s change and it’s difficult.”

The boundary proposal targets students who live north of Geneva Road, south of Tubeway Drive, west of Schmale Road and east of Gary Avenue. They would attend Monroe, along with students living in the Parkway Commons apartments in Carol Stream.

In addition, at least three full-time teachers would change schools.

The school board will continue to review the proposal and parents’ feedback at the Feb. 8 board meeting.

Harris said the deadline for a board decision on the boundary changes is set for March, allowing the district to ease the transition for students and staff if the board approves the proposal.

District officials say the changes would improve teacher-to-student ratios and the use of the Franklin building. The school currently is over capacity by 78 students, forcing some teachers to hold classes in the auditorium and music rooms, board President Rosemary Swanson said.

“We do have a space crunch,” Swanson said.

Monroe is designed to hold almost 1,000 students, but currently houses only 712. Swanson said she’s unclear what’s causing the enrollment disparities.

Administrators said they rejected the possibility of a more gradual transition because it likely would require an additional busing route and an additional cost of $20,000 a year per bus.

“We just can’t afford to do that,” Swanson said.