Parents have reservations about Dist. 26 grade centers

River Trails Elementary District 26 parents and staff had their first chance to ask questions on a proposal to turn the district's schools into grade-level centers, where all district students in the same grade would attend the same school.

And they let opinions be known. About 200 people packed into the bleachers at River Trails Middle School Thursday night to submit their questions on the topic.

One possible scenario would have all prekindergarten through second-graders at one school and all third- through fifth-graders at another school, with sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders remaining at River Trails Middle School.

Each person who came to the meeting received an index card, on which they were to write any questions they had for the consultant, James Warren, who is conducting a study on how this change could affect the district. Warren then read all the questions out loud and he will now begin to compile all the questions and answer them at a later date.

The most popular question was how this change will affect the district's students. Other frequently asked questions pertained to the cost of additional bussing, how teachers would be changed from schools, and of course, if the public would be able to vote on the issue.

Many people in attendance let their reservations be known about the grade-centers.

Gail Dieterich, who is a parent of two children who attend River Trails Middle School, thinks the school board has already made a decision when it comes to the issue.

"I think the board has already made up their mind and this is just lip service," she said, referring to the public meeting.

Mariusz Jackowski said that if this change went into effect, it would have a huge impact on his family. He said he would have a child in all the district's schools: Euclid, Indian Grove and River Trails.

Aga Makowski wondered if the board would even take the public's suggestions when making a decision.

"Is our opinion going to count?" she asked. "It's a horrible idea to parents who have multiple children."

Warren said a decision would not be made on this issue until February. The questions raised at this meeting will be compiled and posted on the district's Web site by the middle of next week.

He encouraged everyone to take the survey regarding this subject at www.rtsd26.org.

There will be another meeting where the public can ask questions on Dec. 10. A meeting scheduled for Jan. 25, 2010, will seek to answer questions raised at the two earlier meetings.