Time to learn D204 high school boundaries

I understand that the criteria includes distance from school, a max bus ride of max 40 minute, students don't pass one high school to go to another and academic balance. We in Tall Grass hope that menas we stay at Nequa. With the pedestrian bridge under construction we should be considered a walking community. We just want our kids to go to the school thats close to our home.

I agree.

That's a long walk, bridge or no bridge, come December or anytime it's raining out. I bet not one of our kids will cross that bridge when the weather changes. And unfortunately our winter months a loooooooooong. So do we really think our kids will make that walk. I think not. So all those from TG who want their kids to walk because it's a mile or less will be driving them. I for one would much rather they take the bus regardless of what school. Reality, deal with it.

As working parents who chose this community specifically because our children would be able to walk to both middle and high school, you bet my kids will walk thet bridge. Rain, snow whatever there are some parents who don't have the luxury of hopping in the car to drive them because the weather is bad. We paid a premiun in both our home and our taxes to have the location that would allow our children the ability to particpate in after school activities. There is no transportation provided for sports practices, we want our children to enjoy all the clubs and sports high school has to offer. As bus riders with working parents that is not possible. We are in Tall Grass to walk to Neuqua.

Weather or not your child will walk, the school is across the street! The bridge provides that option. Mine will walk. The proximity of the school to our subdivision provides a sence of community. We will see groups of kids walking the bridge to attend football games, going to dances, the library ect.. Remember high school? It gives them the sence of independance while we know they have safe passage. The bridge leads from our Clubhouse to the high school athletic fields. How can there even be any question as to the fact that Neuqua IS OUR COMMUNIY. IT IS WHERE OUR STUDENTS BELONG!

Last I checked, my taxes go to all schools in IPSD 204. Remember you live in IPSD 204 not Nequa. GET OVER YOURSELVES. You sound like a bunch of winey little school girls who didn't get asked to the dance.

Spare me the working parent thing. I'm sick and tired of that sob story. Maybe if you didn't pay that "premium" and down sized you wouldn't need to work.

Did I read that right? Maximum bus ride is 40 minutes?

Isn't the maximum bus ride today 35 minutes?

If so, then adding another school should DECREASE not INCREASE the maximum ride time.

I guess since you think you pay higher taxes than others that you should only be the ones to have a library, streets and park district available to you. Nobody else does. And like anonymous said you pay taxes into IPSD 204 not one school. Check your tax bill.

Move to 203 where we don't live in 4,000 SF houses and our administration doesn't waste our tax money making stupid decisions. Our taxes will go up with our referendum $82 per year) for our HS - it's unfortunate that the 204 administration is screwing you all.

Sorry, but true.

Wow! Anonymous that posted the following"

"Last I checked, my taxes go to all schools in IPSD 204. Remember you live in IPSD 204 not Nequa. GET OVER YOURSELVES. You sound like a bunch of winey little school girls who didn't get asked to the dance."

First of all, it's NEUQUA. Sorry couldn't resist. Makes me nutty when people can't spell correctly but yet throw insults at others.

And to add, let's all stop with the insults. It's harmful to the kids.

Did you feel better after you insulted the "winey" (actually correct spelling would be whiney) "little school girls"?

Your post is telling to me. Seems you have something against those "winey (whiney) little school girls that didn't get asked to the dance." Did you have an invitation to the dance? Is there some pent up anger from your high school years that makes you state such things? What the heck are you talking about? Some folks want to walk over a bridge to go to the school closest to them and you state they are "little, winey (whiney) girls that didn't get asked to the dance?

Maybe you need to share that pent up anger with your therapist. Seems kinda nutty to me.

Can I ask, why you are so angry at some people that simply want to stay at a high school that's really close to them?

Is is necessary to call them "winey (whiney) little girls that didn't get asked to the dance?"

Reading your post makes me aware of what the real problem is in 204. Do you know what it is? I do...

Please, for the kids sake, stop being such a nasty.

Your comments were ridiculous, stereotypical, and hateful.

Enough!

Hey- "want some cheese with that wine"

Do you live in Naperville? Pay the same tax bill? Somehow, I don't think you do but you are quick to envy those of us that have paid the taxes to have a such amenities.

Yes! Those of us in Naperville pay different taxes than those in Aurora, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, etc.

While the 204 portion is the same for all the above mentioned areas, the city portion is different.

So YES!!! We in Naperville have paid for our libraries, parks, bridges, etc.

Did you pay for the Naperville libraries, parks, pedestrian bridges with your own $$, or are you quick to criticize those of us who have?

What is your point? We all(in 204) pay the same % for schools. You brought in other factors. Can you explain how those are relevant to your point?

What's your point?

Why all the negativity towards Tall Grass. These are good hard working people who just want the school closest to their homes. Whether or not you chose to believe what they say. The simple truth is you have alot of households with two working parents. They want to have their kids have an opportunity to be involved in after school activities. Maybe they won't walk or ride bikes all the time, but sometimes they will have to. Try putting yourselves in their place and maybe you would have a better understanding. What if the location of the high school were to change then maybe you would be singing a differnt tune.

To "anonymous" who made the derogatory comment. Please. Let's keep comments civil. It is chidish comments like yours that fuel this debate and cloud the entire issue. So unnecessary.

We are sorry that it bothers so many that we feel we are part of the Nequa community; that we purchased homes specifically because of the proximity to the high school; because our elementary school kids have attended many many events at Nequa; that our kids swim at Fox which is at Nequa; that we feel very strongly that we are a part of that school.

Those that label us and defame would feel the same way if they lived in our community. We are a great community filled with folks just like you and we just want our kids to go the closest school; the one that is a part of our every day life. The last boundary decision left the south west corner of Naperville going to all 3 high schools. Standing on the corner of 103rd and stepping across in any direction places you in a different school. How is that good for a community? We were gerrymandered to make stats look good on paper-that is NOT in the best interest of our kids or community. If you were in our place, what would you do?? How would you feel? We are trying to represent the facts which does include a strong sense of community and kinship to Nequa, the close proximity; the walking bridge we will ABSOLUTELY use; wanting southwest Naperville to be one community: a Nequa community. we have a highschool in the north, central, and south and the boundaries should be drawn the same way, not gerrymandered to make stats look better which just short changes the kids.

Note from host:

Sorry, I shouldn't have allowed Anonymous' post--trying to keep things on the high road this time. Wouldn't do any good to delete now as it's copied in another person's reply. We see that Anonymous made an ignorant comment, that point has been made, let's try to be more civil from here forward.

These blogs are great. As an outsider relocating to Chicago it's given me a chance to weed out looking at a home in Naperville whether it be in 203 or 204. We chose Naperville because of the schools but now that I've done a little bit of homework I see that yes you may have great schools but the community as a whole is clearly at odds with each other and it's the haves vs. have nots.

I understand that New Trier is the top school in the country. May consider looking in that area or other districts near there.

I am tired of reading negative comments towards my subdivision (Tall Grass). Yes, I am sure there are a few obnoxious people in my community, but that is a minority. There are 1000 homes in my subdivision alone, plus Pencross knolls and the many town homes which are part of Tall Grass and the ones directly next to our subdivision. A few comments from others, do not represent a entire community. I saw obnoxious people from Brookdale at the school board meeting, but I know that does not represent that community (the one who made the comment that the southwest side just does not want to go to Waubonsie based on a few emails that she read). If Waubonsie was in my back yard you better believe I would be fighting to stay there as well. The majority of people I have spoken to just want to go to the closest high school and yes our kids will walk. Some, may not but that is a choice. My kids will use that bridge, both my husband and I work and walking will not be a option but a necessity. I would think that the people in the district would want as many walkers as there can be. We already are spending a large amount of money on our new high school and loads of money has already been wasted by our lovely school board. By having the maximum amount of walkers that is money in everybodies pocket. Why not save money on transportation costs. Wow, there is a concept, save money. When I hear negative remarks it makes me think that those people must feel threatened in some way.

Note from host:

The best way to fight ignorance and negativity is by saying something educational and positive, like, "Tallgrass is a solid community whose residents are as open-minded about boundary options as residents in any other subdivision."

To the host:

While I agree that such a statement would normally "fight ignorance and negativity", the situation is a little more complex.

I think what is at play here is some in the district (including the SB) have been able to label certain areas in a negative way and this in turn justifies certain outcomes which wouldn't make any sense at all.

Going back to the last boundary situation, TallGrass started out in the Neuqua attendance area in every scenario but one. Clearly it makes sense to keep TG at Neuqua due to the proximity and the construction of the pedestrian bridge and this was the thinking at the beginning of the process. However, as the process continued, the area became "labeled" and suddenly, TallGrass had no scenarios keeping them at Neuqua. Such "labeling" was really just a smokescreen for someone's agenda.

How can the district justify sending an area much farther away than would make sense? By labeling the area and then "punishing" them. It clearly must serve some purpose to the SB to send TallGrass to another school. Maybe it's Bruce Glawe who has an agenda regarding his own subdivision. Maybe it's to prop up the test scores at other schools. Maybe it's simple jealousy that people bought into a nice neighborhood and paid a premium to be close to all three schools their children would attend. I think some people are determined to muck this up out of spite.

Whatever the case may be, I know I am really tired of it. TallGrass should absolutely not be treated in a manner any different from any other area. Period.

And if TallGrass is treated differently and unfairly through this process, then the residents of the neighborhood should come together and do something about it. Enough is enough.

Tuesday will be an interesting day. I have seen a lot of interesting proposals created by dedicated members of the community. What I have learned form each proposal, is there are unique issues/concerns across the district. Speaking in very general terms: You have proud warriors who live north and west of WVHS who would prefer not to be moved north. You have groups in the south who would like not to be moved from NVHS to the north/west. You have people in the north who are concerned their new school is going to become an island while NVHS and WVHS will be more integrated. Again, these are just generalities.

Given the location of the MVHS, its looks like we are left with The second closest school doctrine. In my opinion, many families are going to be asked to go to their second closest school. Some may be asked to go to their third closest school.

This burden has been on the backs of other families for years. However, in my opinion a hundred and forty one million dollars should do more than just shift a burden from on family to another. However this is where the process has brought us.

What I would ask from Tuesday’s information release is detail. When the boundaries come out, I would like the all input and the calculations. The decision making process should be transparent and well explained. I would not like to hear about emails received or about making new schools out of well established schools. While no amount of detail will satisfy everyone, it might just go a long way to helping people embrace their first, second or third closest school.

I expect the boundaries released on Tuesday to be as geographically based as possible, which will eliminate as much anguish to those moved. I believe (hope) test score equaliziation takes a back seat to geography.

Question: How many Tall Grass residents went to the mat for those in Ashwood Creek/Park when that neighborhood was re-zoned out of Neuqua to Waubonsie? That change was made prior to all the other re-zoning changes. Ashwood children would be grouped with friends from other neighborhoods for elementary (Peterson now, Kendall/Graham earlier) and middle (Crone), but stripped away from the surrounding sub-divisions and sent to WV for high school.
I attended a few of those heated Board meetings and the TG residents were silent on that change.

We had considered building a home in Ashwood but scrapped the idea after the boundary change. Ultimately we narrowed our decision to Ashbury and River Run. Loved the lot sizes in River Run, but we wanted to build a new home so we opted for the final phase of Ashbury, which was a wonderful decision for us. It's a great neighborhood (great families, terrific pool/clubhouse/tennis courts) with strong schools (Patterson, Crone, Neuqua). Yes, we strategically selected that neighborhood because we knew it was zoned for Neuqua today AND Neuqua tomorrow. No changes for us.

Hate to sound cold, but I just didn't see TG families citing these same "issues and concerns" when it meant changes for other sub-divisions. If NV is that important to you, then check out homes in Ashbury, River Run, Clow Creek, High Meadow, Harmony Grove and other neighborhoods that are currently safely tucked away into Neuqua's zone. But just remember that change is always possible...

JWH,

The problem as I understand it is that basing the boundaries on 'geography' can not happen because there are not enough students closest to the norther location to properly fill it.

Geography will have to take a back seat to bring MV up to capacity. Due to this, calling the boundaries 'geography based' will not be true. It just won't be if people are going to have to settle for the 2nd closest school or even the farthest school from their house.

To fill it, people will have to be pulled from another school that is literally just blocks away from their homes and others will have to spend more time on a bus than the longest trip that currently exists today.

It seems just short of ridiculous that this situation is what almost $150 million 'buys' the district.

Joe,

Some students will have to be pulled from the middle section of the District. My point is that they hopefully draw boundaries minimizing distances. The site has been chosen.

To Schoolmom:

It's always the same argument - TG should be treated differently because they did something wrong.....

I've had enough of it.

The boundary process should be impartial, fair, logical and above all not punative to any area. This is not a popularity contest. This is supposed to be about what is best for the CHILDREN of the district.

So I've simply had enough of someone justifying an illogical outcome because they've decided they didn't like the way someone behaved once upon a time...or some email someone alledgedly received...blah blah blah.

As to your accusation, I didn't witness ANY area defending another last time around. The district all turned us against each other (and I think they're doing it again). Did ANYONE say anything about Ashwood? Did Ashbury? Did River Run? Did Stillwater? Did White Eagle? So why single out TG again?

I actually did hear people in TG say they felt badly for Brookdale and I did hear people say the Ashwood outcome did not make sense. And I heard ALOT of people speak up about how wrong it would be to punish that area in any way because the SB doesn't like the developer. So I would disagree with your assertion all the way around.

But I am most tired of the agenda to use popularity to justify an outcome. It shouldn't have anything to do with how well a certain area is "liked" - and it seems there has been some sort of campaign to attach a certain perception that I don't believe is even true.

TG if I'm not mistaken is the largest subdivision in the district. There are more children in the district from TG than any other area. That translates into more adults who reside here than any other area. The people I know are fair-minded, good people who care about their children's education. And I think they are getting tired of being labeled as something they are not and having the district and the SB use that to justify an illogical outcome.

Question?

Where was the outrage in Ashbury when the School Board sent the Ashwood Creek residents to WVHS?

I thought it was outrageous as you do to send Ashwood Creek to WVHS as an island.

Did you (or any of your Ashbury neighbors)go "to the mat" for Ashwood Creek? Or, because you are in Neuqua now and Neuqua later did you decide to not voice any opposition to a the Ashwood to WVHS attendance area.

I'm not sure what your point is?
Just curious.

JWH,

Yes, the site has been chosen. The site was chosen in 2006 too when they did this boundary announcement previously. Like last time also, they are announcing the boundaries before there is ink on the paper.

Let's hope this time they don't do yet another "Just kidding, do over!"

Hi Mr. Potter,
It is sometimes challenging to share things via email, so allow me to clarify. My point is that instead of lamenting about my situation, I took some action to ensure my satisfaction with the outcome. That is, I built a home in an area that ensures (at least today) that I'll be zoned for the schools of my choice. Nobody cares that I was going to build a $1M+ home in Ashwood Park prior to the rezoning. I didn't feel the need to tell everyone how much I was going to pay for my home or shout to the rafters the amount of my property tax bill.

Some (not all) of the folks posting here who state they reside in TG seem to convey a feeling that the SB should accommodate their sub-division because of the price they paid for their home. If the TG families take a step back, I'm sure they'll see why this argument does absolutely NOTHING to help their cause. It is divisive at best and downright offensive at worst.

Don't mean to sound cold, but I took action to do what was best for my family. I wasn't sitting around waiting for everyone to feel sorry for me because my nice expensive home was re-zoned and my kids were going to have a (gasp) longer bus ride -- possibly across (gasp) railroad tracks. I sold my nice home in a great neighborhood (TG, in fact) that was being re-zoned to MV, and I built a nicer one in an even better neighborhood that isn't being re-zoned. Glad we sold when we did.

For midnight rambler: No one expects TG to be treated any differently. On the contrary, TG will be treated exactly like Ashwood and the other sub-divisions that were re-zoned. You should expect the same amount of sympathy and assistance that others who have been rezoned received -- absolutely nothing. Not trying to be harsh, but I want you to be prepared for the reality of the situation. You are absolutely correct when you state that you "didn't witness ANY area defending another last time around." However, the difference is that I don't recall those other sub-divisions making crass statements about how much they paid for their homes and how much their property taxes are. I must admit that I was shocked to hear that type of rhetoric being public stated by my former neighbors. Just be prepared to be treated like all the other neighborhoods that had their high school designation altered. Afterall, you just want TG residents to be treated just like everybody else, right? Good luck.

School mom,

It's comments like yours that divide neighborhoods. If you personally haven't helped out Ashwood why would you expect others too. So before you point the fingers at others why don't you try and help the situation. Contact the SB and tell them to do what is best for all of district 204.

Midnight Rambler,

I think you've brought to light some very valid points. Why is it that residents of Tall Grass need to feel defensive?

Why is it that the school board/district isn't being blamed for our current debacle? Could it be that they have masterfully shifted the discussion into the emotional debate over boundaries?

I'm stunned that there seems to be little public outrage over the situation we are in but yet, much talk on blogs, proboards, etc. over which neighborhoods, elementary schools deserve to go where and why...

Seems to me the school board members have seen the movie "Wag the Dog." Take the heat off the school board by creating yet another fight in the district.

Brilliant move. Divert criticism over our current situation (and yes, they are to blame in my opinion) and move it to boundaries.

And, even better, create another villian to take the blame off their unwise course of action in pursuing BB relentlessly for years with NO BACK UP PLAN. Seems to me they've found and labeled their villian. Southwest Naperville. It's all our fault.

Seems they are really good at diverting the real issue. Unfortunately, it's our kids that will pay the price for their lack of judgement.

To Schoolmom:

You are the only person I have seen or heard commenting about the price of your home.

And you know what? I don't care what you paid or what your tax bill is.

And after reading your comments - I'm glad you left.

Anonymous (posted Feb 11th @ 05:31 PM),
I'm certainly not trying to divide a neighborhood. Didn't realize I had that much power. In fact, I sold my home that was in a fractured and divided neighborhood. We met several nice families in TG, but there were others that I'm glad we left behind.

I'm not pointing the finger at anyone because I didn't sit around waiting for someone else to help me. No, I didn't personally speak out on behalf of any neighborhood that was rezoned. Not even my former sub-division TG that was re-zoned (so we thought) to MV. I did send a few emails to the SB, but you obviously know how much good that did. Would be happy to contact the SB again, but I'm sure some folks here wouldn't like my recommendations.

Bottom-line is that I didn't sit around waiting for someone else to speak out on my behalf and save me. I took action and moved my family the heck out of TG. It seemed extreme to my TG neighbors at the time, but many of them call me now and wish that they had gotten out when the housing market was a bit stronger. Good luck to you all, but I recommend that you take some action and stop waiting for everyone else to help you because, sadly, it probably will not happen. Hope I'm proven wrong...

Ugh, the only thing worse than a bad loser is a bad winner… (And no I am not from TG)

Dear school mom,

I think Ausbury is a very nice sub-division. I had the same choice, but I chose differently. I was a bit concerned about the future 95th Street running down the middle of Ausbury like a super highway to Bolingbrook. I will say I am very excited about taking advantage of that road at top speed to get to Weber Rd. I was also concerned about the crackling powers lines at the back of the open lots I looked at a year and a half ago.

Neuqua is a great school. It has been the new kid on the block for what 11 years. I am sure it will adjust well to being the middle child :) Neuqua is a great facility but it was also lucky to have such an incredible staff under the guidance of Kathy Birkett. Of course I believe with departure of your current principle, Michael Popp, that entire staff has now moved on. I have heard recently that Neuqua is having some growing pains. In fact some would say it’s over crowded and will continue to be over crowded even after the new boundaries. Something about poorly designed hallways.

I also hear there is a new school going up north. It will have the best of everything. And it will certainly not have the problem of being over crowded or poorly designed. Those that buy homes to ensure their kids go to the perceived best and newest school will moving up to MVHS area. You might want to go check out Stone Bridge.

End Note…

Is the above note silly? Sure it is. But I think people need to be good winners and good losers in this process. Have some empathy for people. Try to understand their point of view.

There are four seats due for SB elections in 2009. A majority of these seats may just be wide open without incumbents. There is a 2010 operational referendum that will need to be passed. Our current superintendent is only on a three year contract. And the district still grows. Things are far from set in stone and there are plenty of things that can be done without moving.

We need to find away to pull this district back together again. Alienating an entire voting block is not a great plan. By the way, it is this voting block that stood behind the new school when many would not. So let them vent and for gosh sakes stop being so superior.

Brad204: Completely agree with your comments about SB elections. God knows we need some improvements on that front. I've seen your comments on the various blogs from time to time, so I hope you're interested in running. We need some new blood and fresh perspectives because the current crew just isn't cutting it.

By the way, all of my children are either elementary aged (at Patterson) or preschoolers, so we have a looong way to go before we hit Neuqua, or whatever school we'll be zoned for by then, so I'm sure the administrative team will be set by the time my children get there. Your comments about the overcrowding at Neuqua (hinged with just the right amount of sarcasm and humor, which I loved) will only fan the flames that some of the larger sub-divisions "on the bubble" should be pulled out of NV and assigned to WV or MV. You probably didn't mean to infer that, but everyone's concerns about the overcrowding will mean that some neighborhoods will have to be re-assigned.

And finally, no I don't consider myself a "winner" in all of this mess. With a little luck we'll be out of Naperville before the oldest children enter high school. I'll consider myself a winner when I'm gone.

P.S. - I had similar concerns about the powerlines running through some parts of Ashbury, but we dealt with those in TG, too. Not to mention the annoying fuel fumes from the schoolbus yard at TG. Ugh! Try having your windows open on nice mornings or evenings. If the fumes don't get you, then the noise of all those engines rumbling will do so.

Hi, all, host here. Overall the discussion this time around is more civil on this topic, though I detect some lingering sense that some Tall Grass residents feel entitled to be assigned to the Neuqua Valley H.S. attendance area.

Here are my thoughts on the matter:

Throw proximity out the window. It doesn't matter that your home may be closer to NVHS than WVHS. The school board has to somewhat evenly divide the high school population among three facilities. This is one of the hardest things a school board has to do. Now that we know Metea's location, it's a reasonable expectation that MVHS's attendance area will primarily consist of the northern part of the district, WVHS's attendance area will cover the western and southwestern part of the district, leaving NVHS with the east central subdivisions.

It's a matter of looking at the district's population now and what it might be a few years from now, and trying to fairly divide it into three. It's impossible for each of the three high schools to be located in the center of its attendance area. Just impossible.

Now, I have no idea what the attendance areas are going to be when they are unveiled. But I know that gerrymandering has been around for as long as elected officials have been drawing borders. Will the boundaries be perfect? Unlikely. Will they please everyone? Impossible. Will they be fair? Let's hope so, we'll soon find out.

Finally just let me repeat that I believe both existing 204 high schools to be of equal excellence and I'm sure the third one will match the other two in quality.

Why does school mom care about what happens. You have moved and apparently you will stay at Neuqua. I don't get your negative comments about TG. Be thankful that your not in the position that all of the families are in TG. Count your blessings and show some compassion for your old neighbors and friends.

Note from Ted:

I'm sorry, I still don't get why Tall Grass residents object to their children going to WVHS.

Ted: I don't think I can explain this well, but I'll give it a shot. You said, "I'm sorry, I still don't get why Tall Grass residents object to their children going to WVHS." Obviously my comments won't speak for everyone in TG, so I can only comment upon conversations with my former neighbors and acquaintances there. I know families who specifically built their homes in Tall Grass so that their children would NOT attend WV. They wanted their kids at Neuqua and believed that a home in TG would guarantee them the high school of their choice. I know that many of you will say that's naive because we all buy into 204, not a particular school's zone, but that's what I was told. Many of these families left WV neighborhoods like Oakhurst, Stonebridge and other Aurora sub-divisions because they did not want their kids going to WV. We moved here from another state, so I don't know all the history that makes families feel like this, but that's what they told me. Maybe those of you who have been in the area for a long time can address why that perception even exists.

Sadly, perception creates realities in people's minds. Many of my former neighbors were very convincing with their arguments why they wanted TG to remain at NV. Some of them had older children who had actually attended WV, so their ability to compare and contrast the schools carried a lot of weight with me. My husband and I bought into it hook, line and sinker, so we left the uncertainty at TG. In a somewhat similar vein, I know families that love the old world charm of the homes in Kinloch, but they wouldn't move there because the elementary school sits in Bolingbrook. Again, this probably sounds crazy to everyone reading this, but those are the types of comments that I've heard people make.

On some level I suppose all of the hype surrounding Naperville being a "best city" plays into people's minds. (It definitely played into us selecting Naperville as our Chicago area home.) So folks expect their kids to attend schools within Naperville's city limits since they purchased a home within those limits. I'm neither criticizing nor praising those families; these are just my observations. I've said far too much on this thread, so I'm exiting from the stage.

I think Schoolmom makes a good point. If your unhappy with IPSD204 and don't like its direction then you might have to move on. Fry was way too big and crowded for my taste. We left Tall Grass and built home in Jefferson Estates. Its great being close to downtown Naperville and our kids walk to their new school All Saints. We still have close ties to friends in Tall Grass so I have my fingers crossed that all this works out they way they want. But if not then you might have to consider a change.

Ted,

If WV were located where NV is then I would want me kids to go there. It all comes down to being the school closest to your home. By being close the kids have opportunities they may not have if they have to travel much farther.

Note from Ted:

OK, good answer, thanks for the response. But you do see how the school board can't simply go by that formula, right? If circles were drawn around each school to create attendance areas, several things would occur: part of the circles would be outside the district boundaries; parts of the district would either not be in any circle or the circles would be so large they would overlap; and because of population imbalances within the district one school would end up having a much larger enrollment than another.

Looks like TG and WE are going to WVHS.

NVHS still the most number of kids at almost 4k

Well the boundaries are posted on the website.

It is unbelieveable to me that $150M buys us 3 full elementary schools getting bussed to the farthest high school in the district (Owen, Watts, Cowlishaw). And those bus times are hard to believe. How are they going to get kids from south of Owen 12 miles north in rush hour traffic in 35 minutes? I see the plan is to add busses. Which adds costs. It just goes to show how very wrong this site is for our district. In no time the cost difference between this site and Brach-Brodie will be eaten up in transportation costs.

I totally agree with the comments from anonymous. As a district 204 resident since 1991, I lived here several years before Neuqua was built and all of the kids attended WV. The perception that NV was somehow better was perpetuated by the press as they did stories on the brand new "state of the art" school. WV was upgraded at about the same time with the same amenities ....it just wasn't as newsworthy at the time. As time passed, and the rivalry grew, kids, real estate agents and home buyers bought in to the idea that NV was somehow "superior" to the other H.S. In fact, some of this started happening as people had kids actually attending both schools! We would laugh about it as we all knew the truth.
... I am amused when I read panicked retorts regarding the possibility of one's children potentially attending GASP! Waubonsie Valley. My child recently scored a 98% on the Benet entrance exam when we were weighing all of our H.S. options. He had friends with Benet siblings score in the upper 60th percentile that are attending there now.The truth is, it doesn't matter if the school has an ACT avg. of 22, 24 or 28. What matters is what YOUR kid scores! My child chose WV for the multitude of AP/Honors offerings taught by award winning educators, activities, Arts and the diverse (real world) population. He is thriving, scored a 35 on the ACT and will likely attend a top University with scholarship! I've heard comments such as "my home value will drop if our kids don't go to NV". Our district H.S. addition has NOTHING to do with home values ...it has everything to do with overcrowded schools. Take a look at home values nationally. Your home value in your own little corner of the real estate market is not reliant nor reflective solely upon which superb district #204 school your children ultimately attend. Your children will succeed and thrive at any of the three #204 schools.The curriclum is and will be IDENTICAL. We need to give our kids a little more credit and realize they possess the ability to succeed regardless of which building they attend classes in.

The damage is done so we need to focus on next steps...

One...school board elections in 2009. We need to make sure people are seated that are rationale minded and will act with common sense (and who are not too proud to step back and fix their mistakes).

Two...We need to start acting now to make sure the 2010 Operating referendum is defeated. The 142 million (and counting) dollars is wasted money, but they will not be able to operate Metea without an operating referendum passing.

Hey: 204 since 1991

Do you ever get cramps from patting yourself on the back?

Anonymous,

Now that makes a lot of sense to vote down the referendum. Do you really think property values won't fall because of that. Who in their right mind would buy a home in a district with an empty school building with 2 overcrowded HS. No one who has half a sense would do that. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot.

Property values in the WV area did not fall when NV opened. They continued to grow just as fast as everyhwere else. The housing market is not down in this area because of the IPSD SB decsion. Read the papers, watch the news. You will learn that housing is down everywhere across America.

And if all those who think the SB is doing a lousy job, why don't you run and spend countless hours away from your family like they do. I personally do not have the time and I thank those who do. Am I happy with every decision they make, heck no but I have to live with it. Instead of complaining why don't all you people who think you can do a better job run. It's typical of people to complain but never do anything to make it better.

hey 204 since 1991,
Suggesting that the operation budget be defeated for MVHS is just plain hateful toward the innocent students who want the same education as the students at NVHS and WVHS.

Stonebridge:
-elementary, middle within subdivision, h.s. 1.5 miles away
-access to I88: 5-10mins
-Rt 59 train station: 3miles
-close enough to all RT 59 shopping, but not at front door

White Eagle:
-schools all over the place
-access to I88: 30minutes if you get all green lights and no traffic (yeah right!)
-RT 59 train station: 25mins
-RT 59 shoppers right at your front door

We have several homes for sale in our hood and we are looking for new members too! Buy now when the market is down, it's only going up from here. We welcome all, we are a diverse community and proud of it!

I absolutely agree! Voting down the operating budget is irrational and insane!!!This person doesn't strike me as the type that really cares about innocent students ....hmmmmm

Everyone please note that Anonymous said to vote down the operating budget. I don't know 204 since 1991 but they don't need to be blamed for comments they didn't make.

OK, so is anyone really surprised? If there are ANY LAWYERS who have a backbone, someone has to stop the insanity. There simply needs legal action; period. A runaway train is the best comparison. And ONLY A COURT will stop these people.

1. A court was the only thing that set them straight with the BB Land. Let's face it, THEY WERE SO OFF IT WASN'T EVEN FUNNY. Thus, it took a lawsuit.

2. A court will be the only thing now that stops them from the ULTIMATE BAIT AND SWITCH game. A) Refferendum language said pass a school, BUT THE ENTIRE VOTING PUBLIC WAS VOTING FOR THE SCHOOL ON BB. This is WHY THE REF FAILED BEFORE. No boundaries. No school site.

3. Based upon the SB's own logic, the school is illegal and wrong; they admitted the school could not be built because the referendum voters said "no" to UNTIL they knew the boundaries.

4. OK, so they gave us the boundaries. Thus, the ref is bound to those boundaries. As they were marketed to the voters so they can decide.

There should be a class action lawsuit to remove this board, to recall them. They are now back at the first refrendum, where the vote did not pass. Yet, they are using the FALSE vote from the referendum for their justification to build the school.

Shame on them. It amounts to our children getting a grade for an F, then turning around and resubmitting the work with a different sheet of paper but the same answers on a test. Now it's an A...

As a family who has just purchased a home in Ashwood Creek from out of state (because of this wonderful community enviornment and superior school district, I can only say that the for sale sign in front of my home can not go up soon enough! This is insanity! This is one of the most divisive and angry communities I have ever seen..........I would encourage all, and will hold true to the mantra, to keep your eye on the ball and to hold acccountable those who are making the decisions.

Question from Moderator Jim: Having just bought your home, are you really going to turn around that quickly and put it on the market?

Mark,
Why waste more of the entire district's money to defend a law suit? Enough was already wasted legal fees for the BB site. The kids in the entire district are the ones that that will have to suffer if more money has to be spent to defend a law suit. What are you thinking?

Here's what no one is seeing- -Matea is the new red-haired step child. Don't you get it?? If I were to rank the 3 schools based on potential academic performance, I would say NV-WV-MV. The new high school will be pulling a good portion of our lower income families (ie: the apartments by the train station or the townhomes across from the mall). Where as Waubonsie will be getting White Eagle, Tall Grass, etc. Like it our not that will seriously change the current demographics of WV and MV. Not polically correct? Too bad. I volunteer with many individuals that currently work at WV, and the new areas that MV will be pulling from are ALL of the "problem" areas. These are the areas where the kids are violent, and parents are non-existent. An obvious cause & effect? Sure, but why can't we have a more equitable split among all socio-economic areas. Unbelievable SB politics. Go make a name for yourself, Mr. Superintendent...Scare everyone to vote for your bogus ref w/a bait and switch on boundaries. I feel bad for the teachers when the next educational ref. comes to fruition. Who is going to trust these people with any more of our hard earned $$??

Mark,
You can't file a lawsuit on the grounds that you don't like the boundaries. Any judge will throw it out. They'll be breaking ground in a month or so. Move on.

In August of 2009, my daughter will be a senior and my son will be a freshman.
Right now my kids go to NV, but in '09 they would go to WV per the SB's info.

Will the '09 senior go to NV or WV?
Is the SB really going to take the '09 senior out of NV and send her to WV? If not, is the SB going to provide two sets of buses in my sub-division, one for NV and one for WV?

Ready...Set...Go....
Let the complaining of WE and TG begin!!! After their imature behavior during the last time we talked boundaries I expect the same to continue. You should be proud your kids attend such a fine District like 204. If you are not happy move, I'm sure even in this buyers market your home will sell fine even if your kids (GASP!!!) have to attend WV. It isn't about distance, it's about what you perceive as one HS being better then the other. Fact is, scores are pretty darn close. Here's an idea, since you're so high on youselves make WV a great HS, better then NV and MV.
I built my home in District 204 for a reason, for the schools and the community. I'm happy no matter what HS my kids go to in 204. Get over yourselves!! You're not any better then anyone else in the District.

Life's short. Should you pay taxes to IPSD, your kids will receive an excellent education, period. Think about all the great opportunities our kids will have with the 3rd HS with another basketball team, track, football, baseball, swimming, dance, plays and the rest of the fine arts. The third HS will loosen the belt on all the schools and offer opportunities that our kids deserve. Test scores will undoubtedly increase because of smaller class sizes. Everybody is smart enough to know that you can't make everybody happy all the time. I am confident that the board and admin acted in the best interest of our kids. Voice your concerns--sure. Please use diplomacy. Our kids will likely read this at some point.

I will NEVER vote for another referendum put forth by the 204 Board and expect that I am not alone in my thinking. I voted NO to the first referendum, and I only changed my mind based on the boundaries that were distributed prior to the second vote (yes, I embarrased to say that I voted yes the second time around).

Meeting with lawyers this week who are experts on school board referendums and hopefully will be able to raise enough money to fund a lawsuit against the Administration and School Board to stop this nonsense.

I do notice that many communities with higher home values (WE, TG, Ashwood Park)will be moving to WV. That should improve some of the PERCEIVED differences between the schools over the next several years. It is clear that the parents in these communities are passionate about their childrens' education...ultimately, I think that bodes well for the future of WV.

Enough with the Tall Grass reaction...how are the residents of White Eagle feeling knowing they are getting switched to WV instead of MV?

Sub Teacher,

There will be some kids who now will miss some varsity opportunities in the sports you list. Last I heard, no varsity sports will be offered at MV for at least 2 years after it opens. Do you have any more up to date information about a varsity program actually being there or will it be absent for those kids (many of who have had aspirations of playing them until this announcement) ?

These blogs are way too funny. I haven't laughed this hard in my life. Talking lawsuits, not voting for the next ref., etc. You all make this community one big laughing joke. Anyone from the outside must think that this area is one selfish community.

Keep it coming, with the weather as bad as it is this give me someting to smile about.

Stay Warm!

for "So mad we moved out of 203" -- I thought Stonebridge was moving to Metea. What about Ginger Woods? didn't realize those were considered "problem areas"

nice try, buddy.

if your from 203 then ya must know about the frequent fights at Naperville North. I think the Sun did some stories on all the fights. Naperville North receives a lot of "problem" kids as you say. Kids from apartments and modest income families. I think North gets more low income families than Central. But guess what? Naperville North has THE highest test scores of any high school in 203 or 204.

how do ya explain that one?

check it out if you don't believe me. Look up the test scores for North and Central and compare them to NV and WV. Check out the low income stats and compare those too. Looks like the "problem" kids dont interfere with those who are serious about their studies.

All due respect to Proud Parent of 204, but I think the intention of your email is to do nothing more than continue to divide our communities.

Unlike yourself, I have in fact talked to dozens of parents within TG and the issue that we have is 100% related to distance (not some perceived view that WV is an inferior school, which it is not). Yes, test scores are about the same and other than the fact that NV has newer facilities, WV and NV are both great schools. However, our children will now be divided from half of their middle school classmates (1/2 of Scullen will go to NV and 1/2 will go to WV) and they will have a 40 minute bus ride as opposed to going to a school 1/2 mile away from their homes.

We are in fact over ourselves (and are also proud parents), yet we have an opinion that the new boundaries do not make logical sense (because the location of the third school makes no logical sense). Our children are getting the short end of the stick and thus understandably, we are concerned and do not agree with the tactics that were used by the Board and District to get their referendum passed (which is now completely different than the mandate of the people).

I have recently gone through two rigorous college application seasons for 2 children. A highly sought University will only take a certain number of applicants from each high school. If you have your children at a highly competitive h.s....ie: New Trier or Benet, even if you child got a 34 on the ACT, chances are that they will not be considered based on the number of kids going to that school that applied there. Now if you have your 34ACT-child going to the Metea Valley (red-headed step child as it was referred to in here)their chances of getting into that University are much higher. It doesn't matter where these kids are going within D204, it's what you do at home that matters! Keep them involved in activities and another tip for the college apps, don't just have them volunteer a bunch of hours. Have them lead a volunteer project. If your child ends up at the "worse" of the 3, then you shouldn't complain and be thankful that the opportunity for the top is that much attainable than at the other school with .000001% better on their state scores.
Stop staring at the tree and look at the forest as a whole! We have a great school system, yes we may need some work on the worker bees, but don't blame them if you child is not doing well in school. Sit down with your child and help w/their homework, attend their games, volunteer.
I have one child at Northwestern and one waiting to get in. NO, THEY DID NOT GO TO THE TOP H.S. IN D204!!!!!

I have recently gone through two rigorous college application seasons for 2 children. A highly sought University will only take a certain number of applicants from each high school. If you have your children at a highly competitive h.s....ie: New Trier or Benet, even if you child got a 34 on the ACT, chances are that they will not be considered based on the number of kids going to that school that applied there. Now if you have your 34ACT-child going to the Metea Valley (red-headed step child as it was referred to in here)their chances of getting into that University are much higher. It doesn't matter where these kids are going within D204, it's what you do at home that matters! Keep them involved in activities and another tip for the college apps, don't just have them volunteer a bunch of hours. Have them lead a volunteer project. If your child ends up at the "worse" of the 3, then you shouldn't complain and be thankful that the opportunity for the top is that much attainable than at the other school with .000001% better on their state scores.
Stop staring at the tree and look at the forest as a whole! We have a great school system, yes we may need some work on the worker bees, but don't blame them if you child is not doing well in school. Sit down with your child and help w/their homework, attend their games, volunteer.
I have one child at Northwestern and one waiting to get in. NO, THEY DID NOT GO TO THE TOP H.S. IN D204!!!!!

Re: varsity sports. I thought only sophs and freshmen are starting at MV in Aug 2009. If so, I guess it is felt that varsity sports are not needed immediately when the school opens since there would be no juniors or seniors. However, I'm sure such a decision will just make for another issue that people will complain about.

This is absolutely ridiculous. My son attends Scullen. He is in eighth grade. We can see Neuqua Valley High School from our bedrooms. Why build a foot bridge over Rte 59. if nobody west of Rte 59 is going to use it? We thought it would be a good idea for the kid to walk to school, as he walked to Fry and Scullen. The thought of a fourty minute bus ride to school is a serious problem. Has anyone thought this out? I moved here with the thought of my child attending NVHS. These boundaries are unreasonable for the residents here. I firmly believe that there are no 204 administrators living in this area. There are a lot of pissed of people here, but no seems to want to listen to our concerns. Why in the world is half of the school district in Aurora? Ask any parent if they are happy with the thought of there child attending school in Aurora. Why then are our taxes so much higher for schools then in Aurora, this is quite unfair. I am quite sad at this schoolboard's ineptness. thanks

Moderator Jim~ You bet I am! Between the boundry issues, the taxes and now the Rail Road issue............what a wonderful welcome to our new community! While there are many positives, they seem to be being out weighed right now with all of the negatives. Time to request a transfer, and move on!

Okay, Venessa. Just wondering. Be sure to read tomorrow's paper amd the next day's for a lot of coverage on the boundaries for D204. - Jim.

In answer to anonymous a few blogs back I live in White Eagle with a fifth grader. We are fine with attending WV and so are other people in our subdivision. It spite of what some people think, WV is a great school and with the influx WE and TG we are going to really make WV even better then it already is. Kids lucky enough to live in #204 will get a great edcuation no matter where they go. Its the parents who create the problems.

This school may have a chance at getting built now that the school board has finally given in to the developers and assigned Ashwood to Neuqua.

This is not a slam on anyone living there, but when Senator Holmes said she would only support quick take if Peterson was assinged to Neuqua Valley, the writing was pretty much on the wall.

It just took the school board several years and millions of dollars to catch on. Too bad it's us taxpayers that are footing the bill.

I still don't understand the achievement gap as a criteria. Do any individual families really sit around and decide that it is a personal priority to see their kids used as human cattle to fix the achievement gap? NO! They just want their kids to have access to the best schools they can afford them to attend (or perhaps they don't care enough about their kids to give a darn about how good their kids' schools are, in some instances). The criteria should be Geography. PERIOD.

Owen, Watts, and Fry are getting totally screwed by this. Their residents have a right to be mad.

Referendum #1: No site, no boundaries.
Result: Failed miserably.

Referendum #2: Site (BB) and boundaries set after much debate.
Result: Passed.

Ultimate result: New site, new boundaries, very little debate.
IS THIS FAIR?

Would it be reasonable to ask for a re-vote? (Considering the thing we approved via referendum isn't what we're getting...and don't give me that "oh, stop complaining, you just voted on the funds, legally they can move the site and the boundaries...you should just be quiet for the kids' sake" baloney...we all know that a social contract was made AND WAS THEN BROKEN!)

Also, FYI in addition to the Proboards blog, there is another blog going at:
http://www.elemental-learning.com/OurBlog/tabid/90/EntryID/13/Default.aspx#Comments

In response to John Jinga as to why the school district is "half in Aurora". Because it's not a Naperville School district!! This is Indian Prairie School District 204, which encompasses parts of Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook and even a small part of Plainfield. And by the way, what in the world is wrong with your child going to school in Aurora? Both schools offer the IDENTICAL curriculum. All of us in District 204 pay the same proportionate amount of taxes to the district. With comments like that, you wonder why TG has a reputation?

@john jenga: Why is half of the school district in Aurora? Because District 204 is NOT the "Naperville" school district. It was formed out of the Granger, Wheatland and Indian Plains Districts. Granger and Indian Plains District covered parts of Aurora. A small part of Bolingbrook is in Wheatland Township, which is why some Bolingbrook residents attend D204 schools.

I'm a parent. I'm