Enrollment in Orland schools is on the decline

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Updated: March 17, 2012 10:18AM

In the next four years, Orland School District 135 is projected to lose 243 students, according to Julie Oberwise, the district’s director of human resources.

That means 22 fewer classroom teachers will be needed, she told the school board in a presentation Monday night.

The projection did not include students in self-contained special education or enrichment classes. Teachers and enrollment in those programs are counted outside of the general enrollment.

This year, enrollment in the district will drop by 45 students and three sections, impacting Jerling Junior High by eliminating two classroom teaching positions, Oberwise said.

Interim Supt. Dennis Soustek asked Oberwise to track teacher retirements carefully so that staff members are not eliminated unnecessarily.

There are three housing developments within District 135 boundaries that have the potential to increase enrollment, Oberwise said. They are an apartment development in the Metra Triangle near 143rd Street and LaGrange Road; Sheffield Square near 107th Avenue and 153rd Street; and Deer Haven on 143rd Street.

Oberwise said she and Assistant Supt. John Reineche recently met with village officials to discuss the developments. She said the 192 units in Sheffield Square are projected to bring approximately 100 students to the district.

The development at Deer Haven will consist of 23 luxury homes, Oberwise said, and “permits for these very large homes are coming in slowly.”