Publications & Sites 
Oak Brook hosts meeting for non-District 53 residents
Updated: November 20, 2012 5:49PM
OAK BROOK — A meeting has been scheduled for Oak Brook residents interested in annexing into Butler Elementary District 53.
The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 26 in the west wing conference room of Village Hall, 1200 Oak Brook Road.
Village President Gopal Lalmalani is expected to be at the meeting along with trustees Michael Manzo and Elaine Zannis, District 53 Superintendent Sandy Martin, and School Board President Alan Hanzlik.
About two-thirds of Oak Brook is served by District 53, but the remaining parts of the village are served by four other elementary districts: Salt Creek 48, Downers Grove 58, Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills 181, and Elmhurst Unit District 205.
Some residents already have taken requests to the DuPage County Regional Board of School Trustees to detach from their districts and annex into District 53.
That process often takes several years and can be very expensive because of legal bills incurred during hearings for detachment.
Lalmalani said he believes it makes sense to have a committee so that residents seeking a change of school districts have the opportunity to work together.
“It never hurts to pool resources if people are looking for the same outcome,” he said. “Together, they may be able to do this more efficiently and more economically.”
Lalmalani said he applauds the efforts of the residents of non-District 53 schools in seeking annexation into that district and is supportive of the moves.
“I’d like to see the village united; I like to see freedom of choice,” he said. “It would bring about more of a sense of community to have everyone in the same school district, which is right here in Oak Brook.”
Martin said she and Hanzlik are attending the meeting to listen to concerns from residents.
“Our district would benefit from additional students because our enrollment has been decreasing, and we would function better with about 500 students,” Martin said, adding District 53 has 436 students enrolled.
Martin said the District 53Board is considering a policy that would allow those who don’t live within district boundaries to attend its schools by paying tuition. The tuition amount would be $19,832 for each student, each school year, Martin said. That amount is the per student expenditure by District 53, she said.~.
