Built in 1929, the Indian Plains School is the oldest building in District 204.
But with up to $1.5 million in repairs needed, the school board decided it would be better to demolish it for $650,000 and sell the property.
“We’re going to have to sink a lot of money in it now, and more into it on an ongoing basis,” said District 204 board member Justin Karubas. “So to use our resources efficiently we need to look into a lower cost option.
The board wasn’t without concerns about demolishing the building – the alternative high school houses about 80 students in its graduation academy and phoenix programs.
“The reason those students were so successful and have graduated from our district is cause they got out of the situation they were in in our high schools,” said District 204 board member Mark Rising.
The board has asked administration to find a new place for Indian Plains’ students.
And four new classes may be coming to high school students, including a math class specially designed to help graduating seniors avoid developmental math once they get to college.
Other proposed classes include Math Fundamentals, Sign Language 3, and AP Computer Science Principles.
Also at the meeting, the board approved the 2017-2018 budget.
The $325 million budget includes a $3.4 million deficit in order to work on outstanding projects, including adding more air conditioning units to elementary school classrooms.
The district’s budget will likely face amendments in November, once more is known about Illinois’ recently passed evidence-based funding model.
Naperville News 17’s Blane Erwin reports.
