D303 board approves relocation of 'access' elementary classrooms from Anderson to Coron amid parental objections

The St. Charles CUSD 303 Board of Education voted 5–1 on April 14 to relocate two elementary-level "access" classrooms currently at Anderson Elementary to Coron Elementary beginning in the 2025–26 school year, amid extended public comment from families and educators who urged the district to keep students at Anderson.

Board action and vote

The board motion, as read by the agenda, asked members to approve “the relocation of access classrooms currently located in Anderson Elementary to Coron Elementary beginning with the 2526 school year.” Board member Matthew Lentz moved the motion; Mr. McNally seconded. Roll-call votes recorded in the transcript show: Mrs. McCabe — yes; Mr. McNally — yes; Mrs. Bell — yes; Mr. Kuchert — yes; Mr. Lentz — yes; Mr. Lackner — no. The motion carried, 5–1.

Administrators— rationale

Superintendent Dr. Gordon and special-education leaders said Coron offers more and better-configured space for the access program’s instructional needs and allied services. Karen Pratt and district staff told the board that Coron has three contiguous classroom spaces suitable for access programming, dedicated occupational-therapy and sensory rooms separate from core classrooms, larger storage and confidential office areas for therapists, and a West-side location the district does not currently have.

To staff the move and expand services, the district proposes adding one speech-language pathology assistant and one paraprofessional to support the additional section planned at Coron. Pratt said the district would also continue STAR Autism Support professional learning — a workshop plus embedded coaching model the district already uses — in spring and over the summer to prepare staff, and offer multiple opportunities for families and staff to visit Coron before the…