Plainfield School Board Approves Boundary Changes for High Schools

The Plainfield School Board has voted to implement changes to high school boundaries within Plainfield School District 202, despite vocal opposition from some residents. During a meeting on December 17, 2023, board members approved the proposal with a narrow vote of 4-3. The decision aims to address overcrowding issues at Plainfield North High School, which currently has an enrollment of 2,359 students, exceeding its functional capacity of 2,244 students.

The new boundaries will be effective starting in the 2026-27 school year. Students residing in several subdivisions will be reassigned to different high schools. Specifically, those from Arbor of Plainfield, Indian Oaks, Lewood, River Point, Vintage Harvest, and Wallin Woods will now attend Plainfield Central instead of Plainfield North. Students from the Creekside Crossing subdivision will split their attendance between Plainfield North and Plainfield Central. Additionally, students living in Fieldstone, Renwick Place (Stone Bluff), and South Pointe will shift to Plainfield East.

Several parents expressed strong concerns regarding the decision, particularly those from the South Pointe subdivision. They highlighted the lack of safe walking routes to Plainfield East, raising questions about student safety. Faith Hartmann, a parent with children currently attending Plainfield North and an eighth grader at Ira Jones Middle School, emphasized the importance of established support systems among students: “It is not about a particular school, but about the fact that they have quite an entrenched relationship and support system that you’re considering uprooting.”

Board Vice President Barbara Seiden acknowledged the concerns regarding safety and transportation, indicating that these issues are indeed valid and warrant consideration.

The approval of the boundary changes follows a thorough analysis by RSP & Associates, which provided enrollment projections and recommendations for adjustments in student attendance boundaries. The district had collected public feedback on the proposal before RSP & Associates presented an updated model that considered new functional capacity standards, current enrollment figures, and recent residential developments.

According to district officials, the plan intends to reduce enrollment at Plainfield North to approximately 2,000 students, thereby relieving overcrowding pressures. Meanwhile, Plainfield Central and Plainfield East are expected to each gain about 150-200 students.

The administration has also recommended postponing changes to elementary and middle school attendance boundaries until they can assess the need for potential new construction. This phased approach aims to tackle immediate capacity issues without necessitating immediate facility expansions. Officials have acknowledged that this strategy might lead to increased class sizes in elementary and middle schools beginning in the 2026-27 school year.

As the district moves forward with these changes, the impact on students, parents, and community dynamics will continue to unfold. The board’s decision reflects a complex balancing act between managing growth and addressing community concerns.