Darien-Area School District Merger? Leader Weighs In

DARIEN, IL – A Darien-area superintendent said this week combining three local school districts is not feasible.

Last week, Darien Alderman Eric Gustafson suggested consolidating three elementary districts – Center Cass 66, Cass 63 and Darien 61.

A combined district would amount to 3,200 students, hundreds fewer than Hinsdale 181.

Gustafson's statement was in response to a proposal in Center Cass to raise its property tax nearly 25 percent. A consolidation, he argued, would cut costs.

Patch asked Center Cass Superintendent Andrew Wise about his thoughts on consolidation.

In an email, Wise said a merger works best when it can result in major efficiencies, most commonly in areas of declining enrollment. He noted Center Cass' enrollment has been steady over the last decade.

"If one district has the capacity to consolidate or absorb another district through declining enrollment, then the savings by closing buildings might be worth the loss of local control, identity, and continuity that the existing districts experience," Wise said.

State records show Center Cass 66's enrollment has been about 1,100 the last four years. During that time, Cass 63's has been slightly less than 800.

Darien 61, meanwhile, has steadily dropped the last four years, from 1,500 to 1,300.