Naperville CUSD 203 board continues review of Innovative School Experience, delays implementation to 2026–27

The Naperville CUSD 203 Board of Education spent the bulk of its March 24 meeting discussing the district’s proposed Innovative School Experience — a plan that would change daily schedules and school start and end times. Board members and administrators agreed to delay full implementation until the 2026–27 school year and to expand community engagement and planning before returning with a recommendation.

Why it matters: The schedule change would affect students, staff and families across the district and has implications for transportation, before- and after-school care, athletics and collective bargaining. Administrators said more time is needed to refine transportation options, professional learning and community supports.

Public commenters and staff urged more outreach. Kristen Kolkowski, a kindergarten teacher in Naperville 203, told the board that elementary teachers face the district’s highest instructional load and the least planned time. “The proposal for elementary would add an additional 15 minutes per day and 75 minutes of instructional time per week with no additional planned time during the school day,” Kolkowski said, adding that many elementary practices the plan calls “innovations” already exist in…