City Questions School District’s Timetable for Edgewood Enrollment Increase

HIGHLAND PARK, IL - A preliminary review by the city of Highland Park of the North Shore School District 112 plan to close some schools and increase the enrollment of others indicates it cannot be accomplished in the time frame set forward by the district.

A letter from City Manager Ghida Neukirch to District 112 Superintendent Michael Bregy shows a second roadway would be needed at Edgewood Middle School, which would see an enrollment increase to 800 students upon the implementation of a budget reduction plan known to district residents as “BDR3.”

It’s the district’s assertion that the roadway bid would be made by March and construction beginning at the end of the year that caused the city to determine “that the plan cannot be accomplished.”

“... As the significant work effort detailed herein is needed prior to proceeding through the City’s approval process.”

The city outlined several steps that would need to be made in order for the changes at Edgewood to be adopted, including building and traffic accommodations like the creation of the second roadway.

“The school is currently accessible by one roadway; a secondary access point is recommended. An emergency access drive could be considered with a breakaway bar to reinforce the access for public safety vehicles only.”
The process for the city to approve any planned construction would take a minimum of six months, Neukirch wrote.

The “BDR3” plan by the district is a way to save money through a number of means, including the closure of Ravinia, Green Bay, Elm Place and Lincoln schools before the beginning of the 2017-18 school year.