The Naperville District 203 School Board has approved a revised summer school program that scales back the number of course offerings, days in session and locations instead of passing along a 20% tuition increase to families.
District officials recommended last month that fees be escalated across the board, noting they had not gone up since 2022 but costs for staff, transportation and materials have increased. The overall cost of summer learning this year was 5.6% more than the projected budget, district officials said.
Had the district increased tuition, elementary school summer courses would have gone up from $195 to $235 and junior high school courses would have increased from $195 to $235 for a 90-minute class and $390 to $470 for a three-hour class. Other fees, including those for science camp and summer music, also would have risen.
Board members rejected the proposal, saying they believed the increase could be a deterrent to families wanting to enroll their children in programs for enrichment, academic needs or as something to do over the summer months.
The board also looked at the district’s five-year financial forecast, which projects millions of dollars in deficits and did not want to have to absorb the additional costs in the budget.
In a new proposal approved Monday, the board opted for a revised summer program that does not come with higher fees.
The move changes summer school from two three-week sessions for elementary and junior high school students to one four-week session, reducing staffing costs. Elementary programs will be consolidated at Beebe Elementary School instead of at two locations and multilingual programming will be integrated into general education classes, according to the approved plan.
A $50 fee for field trips for junior high school students will be implemented.
The new plan reduces summer school costs without increasing tuition, prioritizes students with the greatest academic needs, helps with credit recovery so students can graduate on time and helps students at risk of academic regression, said Jayne Willard, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.
Some courses have been eliminated from the initial plan proposed in November.
A junior high school course exploring Chicago and the suburbs through field trips, hands-on activities and outdoor exploration will not be offered.
Several exploratory classes for junior high students will remain options, including courses on airplanes and rockets, coding, graphics and gaming, culinary arts, robotics and engineering.
High school courses also will have a reduced number of selections, but a variety of English, math, biology, chemistry, civics, U.S. history and driver’s education classes will be maintained.
Additionally, online classes will continue due to low overhead costs, said Kevin Wojtkiewicz, director of summer learning.
Music and science camps also will run as scheduled.
Under the approved proposal, total expenses are to drop from $2.5 million to $1.8 million, with the district saving money on staff, supplies, food service, after-school care and transportation.
“These recommendations reflect a careful balance between fiscal responsibility and our commitment to students and families,” Wojtkiewicz said. “We believe this revised model preserves access for those with the greatest need, maintains valued enrichment opportunities and responds responsibly to the board’s financial direction.”
Board members Monday said they were grateful for the option to choose an updated, less-expensive plan.
“This is living within our means,” board member Holly Blastic said.
Board vice president Kristine Gericke said the reduced summer school plan is a precursor to the board dealing with the deficit projections.
“We have to focus on our needs first and if we can have more room for the wants, we will certainly do that,” Gericke said.
Melissa Kelley Black, who voted against the revised plan, said other organizations, such as Naperville Park District, College of DuPage and Naper Settlement can offer exploratory or enrichment camps for children for less than the district can.
“While I would love to be able to have those classes, I’m not sure it makes sense for us to provide classes (when) we live in an environment rich with these comparable classes and camps,” she said.
Board President Charles Cush said the district can always revisit the summer school program and may expand or cut summer school classes in future years.
Summer student registration opens March 3 for programs that run from June 2 to July 30.
Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.