District 100 unveils new option for school board

BELVIDERE - District 100 administrators made a recommendation that didn't close any schools by next fall, but at the last school board meeting, board members wanted to see an option that closes Perry and Kishwaukee elementary schools.

"I love this school," said Heather Simpson.

Simpson's daughter has been going to Perry elementary since she entered school.  The school is close to their home, and it's been an ideal situation.

"Because I have to work, and being only a couple minutes away," said Simpson.  "I can come pick her up and then go right back home."

But the latest option to help District 100 balance its budget, which was made available Friday, and only after the school board suggested to see an option that closes Kishwaukee and Perry elementary schools.

The new option would mean Kishwaukee students would be moved to Meehan elementary, and Perry students would be moved all the way north to Caledonia elementary.

"If she was to go to another school more further away, it would be more difficult for me to get to her," said Simpson.

The latest plan still includes closing Belvidere South Middle School by the start of 2014.

It also reconfigures the grade levels to have elementary be kindergarten though 6^th grade, middle school be 7th and 8^th, and both high schools stay 9th through 12th.

If this plan gets approved, it's projected that Caledonia, Lincoln, and Meehan, as well as Belvidere Central Middle School would all exceed their capacity by the 2014 / 2015 school year.  It's a plan that confuses parents.

"I don't see any reason for it to close," said Simpson.

The district would see a recurring savings of almost 4-million dollars if the school board chooses this track.

But that also means improvements to Belvidere South Middle School and Perry would have been for nothing.

"It [Perry] looks a lot better," said Simpson.

And to many, that's just a waste of their tax dollars.

"They just got that sign in, and I know that sign wasn't cheap," said Simpson.

Aside from parents upset about the school board's coming decision, the Belvidere Historic Preservation Commission wrote a letter to the board and administration saying...

"The school district has done a wonderful job renovating and restoring this building over the years and we highly encourage you to continue to do so.  Closing this school will lead to neglect of the property which in turn will cause the building to deteriorate, depreciate, and also leave it susceptible to vandalism.  We do not want this ultimate fate for Perry school, the neighborhood, or our community as a whole.  Please join us in continuing to protect and preserve this great school."

Administrators did put together another option that changes the high schools to house grades 8-12, that option would allow the elementary schools to operate under their capacity for the 2014 school year.