'Etched in Jell-O': Indian Prairie District 204 boundary proposals still raising concerns

Just as the enrollment boundaries in Indian Prairie Unit District 204 are slated to shift, so too are the debates.

On the heels of last week's boundary committee meeting protest from Naperville parents worried about Welch Elementary School students potentially feeding into Waubonsie Valley High School instead of Neuqua Valley, a new detail in one of the two remaining concept plans is raising concern.

Numerous parents from the Mission Oaks subdivision spoke at Monday's school board meeting to complain about Concept Plan 1, specifically the idea to move students living north of 87th Street into Owen Elementary School, which feeds into Waubonsie Valley. Those students currently go to Welch and feed into Neuqua Valley.

Concept Plan 3, meanwhile, was changed in reaction to feedback from parents concerned about Welch students feeding into Waubonsie Valley. Now, Concept Plan 3 indicates those students will remain headed to Neuqua Valley.

The district believes remapping is necessary based on anticipated enrollment imbalances among the schools in the next five years.

"We've been contributing to the community, volunteering for public services and paying our taxes," parent Yulan Chen said. "My kids, my money all goes to the Welch-Neuqua Valley community. This place is full of good memories for me because we lived with each other together."

District 204 Superintendent Adrian Talley continues to stress the process remains in the early stages, saying last week the plans were "etched in Jell-O." Board member Susan Demming reiterated that sentiment at Monday's meeting.

"We do appreciate the feedback that we're receiving," she said. "Again, as a reminder, there have been no decisions made at all of what is going to be presented to the board for the decision-making process in December."

Two of the eight boundary committee meetings remain, with the next one scheduled for Oct. 27 at Still Middle School. Community forums are then slated for Nov. 8, 9 and 10 at each of the three District 204 high schools.

A school board workshop follows in December, where board members will discuss the committee recommendations. The board may vote on a boundary plan as early as January.

Details on the concept plans can be found at www.ipsd.org.

"In regard to Concept 1, we urge you to retain the wholeness of this community and to let us all continue to attend our Welch Elementary and Neuqua Valley High School," parent Seth Andres said.