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Naperville board weighs 20% summer-school fee increase; trustees seek equity safeguards
Summary
Staff proposed a 20% tuition increase and higher transportation fees for summer 2026 to cover rising costs; trustees stressed protecting access for low-income students, separating core academic courses from enrichment, and asked for outcome data on ESY/IEP maintenance before formal action on Nov. 17.
Naperville CUSD 203 staff proposed raising summer-learning fees by about 20% across programs, increasing transportation fees from $30 to $50 per semester and adding a $50 fee for field-trip classes to help cover higher staff pay and transportation costs. The proposal was introduced Nov. 3; board members asked staff to return with additional data before a formal vote.
Kevin, the district’s summer-learning director, told trustees that summer 2025 showed increased enrollment at junior-high and high-school levels, high participation in music and science camps, and a continuing effort to include students with disabilities and English learners. He also explained that summer operations are a budgeted district priority and that transportation is the largest non-payroll expense for summer programming.
Board members voiced concerns about access and equity if fees increase. Several trustees emphasized that waivers for families receiving free or reduced-price meals will remain in place but asked staff to estimate how many families sit just above eligibility thresholds and could be pushed out by the proposed increases.
Holly Blastick and other trustees asked staff to separate core academic, credit-bearing summer courses (often essential for graduation or credit recovery) from enrichment camps and to consider variable pricing or greater board subsidy for core offerings. Trustee Holly Blastick said she supported maintaining low barriers for academic courses and was open to board investment so families aren’t priced out of essential instruction.
Trustees also requested outcome data for the previous summer, specifically Individualized Education Program (IEP) and Extended School Year (ESY) results, after members raised concerns that some classes showed regression for certain students last year. Staff said ESY programs track individualized IEP goals and that the district evaluates goals at the start and end of ESY; they agreed to provide historical outcome data.
Staff recommended a proposed registration launch of March 3, 2026, and said the recommended fee changes do not fully cover projected cost increases; the district would still subsidize summer learning from existing budget sources. Superintendent Bridges and summer staff signaled they will return with refined recommendations and the five‑year financial forecast before trustees take final action at the Nov. 17 meeting.
What’s next: Staff will provide program-level outcomes (including ESY pre/post goal data), per-program cost/revenue analysis, information about waiver usage and the likely effect of fee increases on participation, and proposals for a pricing model that protects access to core academic offerings.
