Keep buffer zone for Hinsdale schools

On June 18, the District 86 school board had a meeting where the topics of eliminating the school buffer zone and changing the school boundaries between Hinsdale Central and South were discussed. Residents who live in the buffer zone can choose between either high school in the district. The board voted on a motion to eliminate the buffer zone by a 5-2 vote.

As soon as the vote was finished, most of the residents who are in the buffer zone area immediately started to express their anger to the board in person. Most of the residents who were in attendance were from Maercker School District 60, which includes the areas of Westmont, Willowbrook Darien and Clarendon Hills. Most of the residents from these areas want their children to attend Hinsdale Central - although, with this impending boundary change, current and incoming students will have to attend the school that's nearest to them, instead of being in the buffer zone.

The board plans to put out a referendum asking residents for funding for school improvements on the ballot in November. Some of the options for school improvement would include adding classrooms to Central. During the meeting, one resident suggested to the board that the referendum should include a technology, engineering, arts, science and math magnet program in order to address the overcrowding, and to deter the board from changing the school boundaries.

The buffer zone should stay in place, and allow residents who reside in this area to have the freedom to decide which school their children should attend. The buffer zone should also stay in place so that the property value of the houses doesn't go down. I urge the board to reconsider their position, and reinstate the buffer zone.

Hashim Arain

Oak Brook