District 47 Boundaries

Since December, when the Board approved changes to middle school boundaries, the boundary committee has turned its focus to a review of the elementary boundaries. The committee met three times between January and April to explore possible adjustments.

We want to share some of the data and key factors the committee has been considering during this review. These include issues like non-contiguous boundaries, program placement, and class size, all of which contribute to the need for boundary changes. Click below to watch a video presentation or view the slideshow providing more detail on the data and factors being reviewed.

• Elementary Boundary Overview Video Presentation
• Elementary Boundary Overview Slideshow
• Elementary Boundary Overview Video Presentation- Spanish
• Elementary Boundary Overview Slideshow- Spanish

The committee is committed to taking the time to examine all possible options and continuing to provide opportunities for community feedback. There is a shared understanding that this process will take longer than the middle school boundary review, given the greater number of schools, programs, and students involved. The committee will reconvene in the fall and meet monthly throughout the 2025–2026 school year.

We know this process is not easy, and we recognize the impact it can have on families and students. We would like to restate that no changes will take effect until at least the 2026-2027 school year.

If you have questions or would like to share input, please continue to use the feedback form located on the boundary page of the website.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kathy J. Hinz
Superintendent

Elementary Boundary Priorities and Considerations Video Presentation- English

Elementary Boundary Priorities and Considerations Slideshow- English

Elementary Boundary Priorities and Considerations Video Presentation- Spanish

Elementary Boundary Priorities and Considerations Slideshow- Spanish

We would like to thank all of our parents, guardians, and community members for providing feedback on the two middle school boundary change options. These options were discussed in detail at last night’s Board of Education meeting, where the board reaffirmed its commitment to listen to stakeholder input while making decisions that balance enrollment, maintain programs, and support a cohesive 6th-12th grade experience wherever possible.

Before the board's discussion, Dr. Hinz presented an overview of the boundary review process, the factors considered, and details of the two scenarios. A recording of the presentation is available for anyone who couldn't attend or watch during the meeting. Click here to view the presentation in English. Click here to view the presentation in Spanish. 

What's next? The board will continue to review and discuss community feedback, reflect on the discussions and public comments from last night’s meeting, and consider factors such as transportation between the two scenarios. A final vote is scheduled for the next board meeting at 7:00 p.m. on December 16 at the CORE Center, 300 Commerce Drive, Crystal Lake.

The district and the Board of Education recognize the disruption these changes may bring for some families and remain committed to thoughtful decision-making throughout this process. To support the social-emotional well-being of our students during changes, counselors will be available, events will be organized to help students connect, and peer support systems will be in place at each middle school to assist those affected.

If you have not already provided your thoughts, we encourage you to share your feedback with the board through the form on our website. The board values this input and is considering it as they make their decision.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kathy J. Hinz
Superintendent

Dear families,

Thank you to all who shared feedback on the boundary survey. Over 2,400 members of our school community participated as well, with 1,500 sharing their thoughts. The survey received 35,315 ratings, averaging nearly 24 ratings per person. 

On September 9, 2024, the Boundary Committee met to review these results alongside enrollment data across multiple scenarios. When considering potential changes, the committee is taking this feedback into account along with goals of balanced enrollment, equitable programming across schools, and transportation efficiency.

One question that often comes up is whether aligning District 47 boundaries with District 155 would be feasible. Doing so would create significant imbalances as all three middle schools sit within Crystal Lake Central’s boundaries. This would especially impact Lundahl, exceeding its architectural capacity and leaving the other schools unevenly populated. See the chart below for more details. 

The Boundary Committee will meet once more on September 30 to review additional scenarios discussed at the September 9 meeting. During this session, the committee will finalize a recommendation for the Board of Education. The recommendation will be shared publicly at an upcoming Board of Education meeting; a specific date will be announced in advance. The board will have the opportunity to discuss and ask questions before a vote is held at the subsequent meeting. Community members will also have the option to provide public comment during the board meeting. 

Again, the district and committee would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to provide feedback as part of this process.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kathy J. Hinz
Superintendent

Educational capacity as determined by the architects: HBMS: 920, LMS: 771, RBMS: 912
Green: Under capacity, Yellow: Within 10% of capacity, Red: Over capacity

Dear families,

The Boundary Committee values your input as we review potential middle school boundary changes. We invite you to participate in a brief survey to share your priorities and feedback.

This survey allows you to:

• Answer a few questions
• Share your thoughts
• Rate the feedback of others 

Take the Survey

Your responses will help the committee better understand the priorities of our school community. The survey will close on August 22 at noon.

Please note that your feedback may be visible to others, but your identity will remain private. Demographic information will not be shared.

Thank you for your participation.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kathy J. Hinz
Superintendent

Dear families,

As the Superintendent of District 47, it is my responsibility to ensure that our schools provide the best possible education and support to every student within our district. We recognize that maintaining balanced student enrollment across our schools is crucial for providing equitable access to resources, facilities, and educational opportunities. 

With this in mind, we will be initiating a comprehensive review of our school district boundaries, beginning with our three middle schools. This review will involve analyzing current enrollment data, population trends (including several new developments in the area), geographic considerations, and other relevant factors to determine if adjustments to our boundaries are necessary.

Changes will be proposed in two phases, with phase 1 being an initial focus on middle schools. Pending board approval, phase 1 boundary adjustments are anticipated to be implemented for the 2025-2026 school year. Phase 2 will follow focusing on elementary school boundaries. Throughout this process, we will offer opportunities for public participation and feedback before the Board of Education finalizes any boundary changes.

District 47 will be using a Boundary Committee for the review and recommendation process for both phases. The committee will be composed of board of education members, administration, staff, parents/guardians, and community members. Members are required to attend the following meetings to review data, maps, resources, and community feedback and create final boundary recommendations for the board. 

• April 8th, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
• May 13th, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
• September 9th, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

If you are interested in being a part of the District 47 Boundary Committee, please click here to fill out an application by March 8, 2024. All applicants will be reviewed by a team of board members, building, and district administrators. Notifications will be sent out by March 22 to those that have been selected to be committee members.

The goal of this review process is to ensure that we are effectively serving all students within our district and that each school is appropriately resourced to meet the needs of its students. By carefully examining our boundaries and making any necessary adjustments, we aim to enhance the overall educational experience for every student in our care. Click here to watch a short introductory video: “Shaping Our Future: District 47 Boundary Review.”

We understand that any changes to school boundaries can be met with questions and concerns from parents and guardians. Please know that we are committed to keeping you informed and involved throughout this process. We will be providing regular updates via email, our district website, and other communication channels, and we welcome your feedback and input every step of the way. Your perspective as a parent/guardian is invaluable to us, whether or not you are on the committee. 

Thank you for your ongoing partnership as we work together to provide the best possible educational experience for each and every District 47 student.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kathy J. Hinz
Superintendent