Naperville District 203 board approves carbon action plan
The Naperville District 203 School Board approved a carbon action plan Monday that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050.
Short-, medium- and long-term goals are listed through which the district can use to reduce its overall carbon footprint over the next 25 years.
Some of the proposals will be included in the district’s annual budgets while others will be more expensive and may require the district to seek grant funding, district documents said.
The plan was developed by environmental consultant Keramida Inc. with input from staff and students. Some students involved in the plan presented it to the school board earlier this month.
The goal is to find ways through which waste can be reduced, emissions decreased and more sustainable practices implemented. A steering committee will be appointed to put the ideas into practice and report back to the board and community on their progress.
Some of the ideas include upgrading buildings with more energy efficient lighting, heating, cooling and plumbing systems or installing solar panels. Outside the schools, the district could add native plants to landscaping, capture rainwater or grow fresh vegetables.
Inside classrooms, the district could reduce waste by increasing use of digital over paper materials and eliminating single-use plastics in the lunchroom. The district also will examine its transportation impact on the environment.
Board member Joseph Kozminski said he appreciated the work that went into developing the plan, especially with student engagement, and looked forward to updates.
College of DuPage raising tuition for 2025-26 school year
The College of DuPage is raising tuition by $4 per credit hour for the 2025-26 school year.
Tuition and fees for in-district residents will go from $152 to $156 per credit hour starting in the fall.
Out-of-district tuition goes from $355 to $359 per credit hour, and out-of-state students will pay $429 per credit hour.
A recent Illinois Community College Chief Financial Officer survey found that rates across the state’s community colleges will increase anywhere from $3 to $10 per credit hour, College of DuPage officials said in a news release.
“COD, like other institutions, is facing increased operating costs,” Interim President Christine Hammond said in the release. “Moderate tuition adjustments help address not only those increases but also the growing needs of our students.”
The college’s total cost is below the state average, and it offers scholarships or financial assistance to students in need, board Chair Christine Fenne said in the release.
