Residents in Park Forest this week will receive a mailing from the Village of Park Forest encouraging resident participation at upcoming School District 227 board meetings following months of discussion and speculation on the future of the district which faces declining enrollment numbers and deterioration of its three high schools.
Over the last year, School District 227 has held several community forums to gather resident feedback on how to best address the issues.
At the district's next meeting set for Tuesday, Sept. 17 beginning at 6:30 p.m, at Rich Central High School, 227 board members could begin to narrow down the six options previously presented to residents, which range in cost from $105 million to $399 million, and include:
1. Repair all of the buildings
2. Repair and upgrade all of the buildings
3. Upgrade two schools and eliminate one
4. Build a new facility on an existing site to house the full student body
5. Build a new facility on existing site and upgrade one facility
6. Purchase a facility and partially renovate an existing facility
Upcoming School District 227 board meetings are scheduled for:
September 17 at 6:30 p.m.
Rich Central High School
3600 203rd Street, Olympia Fields
October 15 at 6:30 p.m.
District 227 Offices
20550 S. Cicero Avenue, Matteson
November 19 at 6:30 p.m.
District 227 Offices
20550 S. Cicero Avenue, Matteson
December 17 at 6:30 p.m.
Rich South High School
5000 Sauk Trail, Richton Park
In June, 227 board members indicated three high schools were no longer warranted based on the issues facing the district and a decision was imminent.
Village of Park Forest board members plan to officially adopt a resolution Monday opposing the closing of Rich East High School which first opened in Park Forest in 1952.