As part of its ongoing long-term planning efforts, the District 202 Board of Education and administration administered a survey to a sample of the community and hosted several discussion groups to better understand resident priorities and perspectives on long-term planning and possible future funding options.
Key themes and findings from the survey and discussion groups:
District 202 continues to benefit from strong overall trust, with 67 percent of respondents holding a favorable opinion of the District.
One in five respondents reported hearing or reading about the possibility of a referendum before completing the survey.
Residents want more information about the District’s financial outlook, facility priorities and long-term planning.
Survey respondents and discussion group participants asked for clearer information about why additional funding may be needed and how it would be used.
Residents were most interested in how future planning would affect students, schools, programs and day-to-day learning.
Infrastructure improvements and career-focused learning opportunities were among areas that resonated most with residents.
“These findings show that our community values District 202 and wants clear information as we continue planning for the future,” said Dr. Glenn Wood, Superintendent of District 202. “We also heard that residents want to better understand our financial outlook, facility priorities and how any future funding option would support students, schools and programs. That feedback is important as the Board of Education and administration continue this work.”
In addition to planning for critical infrastructure improvements, District 202 is evaluating strategies to address a significant reduction in annual revenue. The District experienced an approximately $7 million funding impact beginning in FY2026, which is projected to increase to approximately $14 million in FY2027 and to continue compounding in future years as the District transitions from Tier 1 to Tier 2 status under Illinois’ Evidence-Based Funding model. At the same time, the District must continue to respond to changing enrollment trends and evolving student needs. This funding shift is placing increasing pressure on the District’s operating budget, which supports classroom instruction, student programs, staffing, transportation, facility operations, and other essential services across the District.
The survey was sent to a randomized group of households representative of District 202 residents rather than every District household because it was designed to provide statistically valid results. Survey responses were confidential and results were reported in aggregate. The survey, conducted by aQity Research and Insights, could be completed online, by phone or through the mail. More than 500 surveys were returned. This survey was a follow-up to an online survey conducted in fall 2025. Survey results are available on the District 202 Community Engagement webpage.
The District also hosted three in-person community discussion groups to hear residents’ opinions about the District, its financial needs and future planning. These sessions were conducted by Public Communications Inc., an independent communications agency. Comments were summarized by theme and were not attributed to individual participants.
Participants included parents, District staff, community partners, alumni and residents.
District 202 serves more than 25,000 students and their families across a 64-square-mile area that includes Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Crest Hill, Joliet, Lockport, Naperville and Romeoville, and operates 34 school buildings. Its long-term planning, guided by the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan, affects students, families, staff, taxpayers and local communities.
District 202 is hosting a fourth community engagement session at 6:30 p.m. June 30 at John F. Kennedy Middle School, 12350 S. Essington Road, Plainfield, to provide another opportunity for residents to learn more and share feedback. Residents interested in attending should complete the registration form.