Students urge district sustainability planning; one speaker urges board to oppose IMEA contract extension

During the public‑comment period Aug. 4, two student speakers asked the board to consider sustainability and energy procurement concerns.

Achalena Grishra, a rising junior at Metea Valley High School, urged the board to adopt a clear carbon action plan. Grishra said climate action affects students’ health and learning, cited National Education Association and EPA findings on how extreme weather and poor indoor air quality affect student performance and attendance, and argued that energy efficiency and renewable investments can produce long‑term savings. She referenced other Illinois districts that have adopted sustainability frameworks and advocated audits, insulation upgrades and solar panels as possible steps.

A second speaker, who identified himself as Jack, asked the board to publicly oppose a proposed long‑term contract extension by the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA) with the city of Naperville. Jack said the proposed extension—described in his remarks as a multibillion‑dollar contract—would rely on predominantly coal‑based energy and risk higher future utility costs if Prairie State’s operations reduce under state law. He cited concerns about competitive procurement and referenced Naperville Municipal Code section 19b4; he asked the board to “speak out against” the IMEA extension because he said it would run counter to the district’s stated strategic priorities and expose local ratepayers to possible cost overruns. The speaker’s remarks were a public comment and did not trigger a board response or formal action during the meeting.

The board’s public‑comment rules were read before the session: speakers were asked to state if they live in the district and whether they have children in district schools, comments were limited to three minutes per speaker, and board members said there would be no feedback from members during the meeting though administrators would follow up as appropriate.