Lawsuit Against D303 Might Soon Go To Trial

A lawsuit filed by District 303 parents seeking to halt the merger of two elementary schools could go to trial in Kane County as soon as later this month.

Judge Thomas Mueller set a hearing date for June 20. The trial would come soon after that hearing if the judge rejects a motion from the district's attorney to dismiss the case.

“We’re looking to expedite things,” said attorney Tim Dwyer, who is representing a group of Davis parents who brought the suit.

Dwyer said he intends to interview with the district officials who were involved in the development of the plan.

The parents' case stems from D303's plan to merge students from Davis and Richmond elementary schools into two new grade-level centers. The lawsuit alleges that this is district's way getting around state rules for improving test scores at Richmond, according to an amended version filed in April.

For the district, delays could mean potentially wasted commitments and funding issues.

Teachers have already volunteered to teach at the grade-level centers and the district had forged an agreement with the teacher’s association regarding additional hours needed for the instruction, said district Superintendent Donald Schlomann.

The district also already has leased technology, including iPads to be used with science instruction, and could lose a $407,000 state grant intended to help offset the costs.