Dr. Wood told the Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 Board on Aug. 27 that the district has launched a student attendance boundary web page and hired a third‑party consultant for a two‑year boundary and enrollment study.

Dr. Wood said the study is intended to gather long‑range enrollment projections and planning data and "does not necessarily mean we're changing boundaries," but will provide information the district can use for planning. The web page, Dr. Wood said, is live and contains FAQs, videos, presentations and a Google form for community questions and concerns. He said the website will be updated continuously and that community forum sessions are planned for October so residents can provide input.

President Westfall (board president) and other board members emphasized that boundary discussions can be upsetting for families and that the district identified a boundary study as part of its December 2022 strategic plan. Board members and staff cited uneven enrollment — some schools overcapacity while others have room — new housing developments across the district and population shifts as drivers for the study. The board noted nine new developments planned in Plainfield and that district projections anticipate roughly 3,300 additional students over the next five years and up to 7,200 over 10 years.

The presentation also noted transportation efficiency and reduced travel time as considerations during any boundary review. Dr. Wood encouraged residents to use the web page and attend the October forums for detailed information and to share concerns through the provided Google form.

Why it matters: Attendance boundaries affect where students attend school, transportation routes and local families’ decisions about where to live. The district framed the effort as planning and data collection rather than an immediate decision to redraw lines.