Neuqua Valley High School College And Career Center issued the following announcement on Nov. 4
District 204 will hold three public forums to seek community input on boundary concepts prior to final boundary proposals being created and presented to the Indian Prairie Board of Education for approval. The forums will be held from 7 – 9 pm on Monday, November 8 at Waubonsie Valley High School— Tuesday, November 9 at Neuqua Valley High School— and Wednesday, November 10 at Metea Valley High School.
At its April 12, 2021, meeting, the Indian Prairie Board of Education heard a presentation from RSP & Associates regarding the most recent enrollment study, which provided analysis through the 2025-26 school year. The firm previously conducted enrollment studies in 2012 and 2017 with a 98 percent accuracy on enrollment projections.
The district saw its highest enrollment levels in the 2008-09 school year with 29,570 students. Enrollment is projected to drop below 25,000 students in the 2025-26 school year. Over the next five years, the district's elementary enrollment will increase by approximately 220 students, and middle and high school enrollment will each decrease by 600 students. Declining enrollment is a trend occurring both regionally and nationally due to fewer children being born.
Of the district’s 21 elementary schools, four are expected to be over 100 percent capacity and 14 are expected to be under 75 percent capacity. Three middle schools are expected to be over 100 percent capacity while the remaining four middle schools are expected to be under 75 percent capacity. Metea Valley High School is currently over capacity and is expected to remain as such, while Neuqua Valley High School is expected to be under 75 percent capacity.
The Indian Prairie Board of Education determined a boundary review is necessary to balance enrollment in areas that are over or under capacity. A committee made up of community representatives from across the district was formed to help with the boundary adjustment planning. A series of boundary committee meetings, facilitated by RSP & Associates, were held beginning on July 7, 2021. The committee reviewed enrollment projections and building capacities, which led to suggestions of various concepts for development into boundary scenarios.
During the Boundary Community Forums, community members will hear from the district’s superintendent and school board president. RSP & Associates will present an overview of the boundary process, enrollment, and building capacities. Forum attendees will then have the opportunity to view boundary adjustment concepts, provide feedback and submit questions, followed by a public comment session. The community’s feedback will be incorporated into the final proposals that will be created and presented to the Board of Education for approval.
Public comment sign-up will be available beginning at 6:30 pm at each of the community forum locations. Due to the number of individuals expected to sign up, one minute per person will be allowed for public comment with a total time of 30 minutes. Individuals speaking during the public comment portion of the meeting will be allowed to speak at only one community forum giving the opportunity to speak to more people at the subsequent forums. If all first time speakers have had a chance to speak, then those who wish to repeat their comments at subsequent forums will be given a chance to speak.
The community forums will be held in the auditoriums at Indian Prairie’s three high schools on the following dates.
Monday, November 8, from 7 - 9 pm
Waubonsie Valley High School, Enter Door #33
——Tuesday, November 9, from 7 - 9 pm
Neuqua Valley High School, Enter Door #7
—Wednesday, November 10, from 7 - 9 pm
Metea Valley High School, Enter Door #1
Those unable to attend the forums will have online access to a video of the meeting presentation beginning Thursday, November 11, as well as the PDF map concepts and a survey feedback tool.
For more information on the boundary process, visit www.ipsd.org/boundaries.
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up