Far NW suburban school board votes to close year-round elementary school

MCHENRY (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - A year-round public elementary school in the far northwest suburbs will close, after Tuesday night’s vote by the McHenry County District 15 School Board.

Classes began a week ago at Landmark Elementary, and the 200 students attending will be the last ones to do so after the board’s four-to-one vote to close it at the end of this school year. It came over the objections of parents.

Board member Patrick DeGeorge called it an incredibly tough decision.

“We have fought long and hard on this, I know last night I lost sleep over this, trying to figure out which way I’m going to go, what’s going to happen,” DeGeorge said. “To the community, thank you, thank you for your concern, your compassion.”

The board cited the cost of bringing the 130-year-old building up to modern standards in their decision. Those estimates are between $10 and $12 million.

Parent Christopher Moore said he planned to run for a newly-opened seat on the board after a member resigned last week.

“You’re supposed to represent all the schools evenly, not just particular schools…You need to represent us, just like you represent any other school,” Moore said.

Several parents said they want to continue year-round schooling at a different building if necessary.

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