New schools in Oswego could remain closed
The schools were built with funds from a multimillion-dollar voter referendum in 2006.
District 308 is one of the fastest growing school districts in the state, and it is easy to see why: dozens of new homes are being constructed right across the street from the new Southbury Elementary School.
"It's a great opportunity to have new schools out there for the kids. So, the classrooms won't be overcrowded," said parent Elaine Eckert.
The school was supposed to open in the fall of 2008. But now, it looks like it will have to remain closed, at least for another year.
"I think it's disappointing, but there are tons of schools. We're not at capacity at the other schools. One more year," said Dawn Rellinger, who serves on the boundary committee recommending the school remain closed. If it opened, only 175 students would attend the school built for 750.
Over the past 10 years, enrollment in the school district has grown about 15 percent a year, but now, it is starting to slow.
"Last year, because of the housing slump, we did slow down in our growth to 6.9 percent. But what it means, is that we have to make adjustments in our attendance boundaries, and adjustments in terms of how we can best serve our community," said David Behlow, superintendent of District 308.
Behlow says a plateau is not necessarily a bad thing. Just because the school might have to remain closed, along with the new Murphy Junior High School in Plainfield, that would mean the district would be ready for the next wave of growth.
"For the past 12 years, we had four elementary schools. Now, we have, I think, 13. So, I've seen much change in the past 12 years. I think the district has handled it wonderfully," said parent Kelly Schultz.
"We have to remember that this is preliminary recommendation. It hasn't been seen by me, or the board, nor is it the final recommendation of committee," Behlow said.