Commits to membership in O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission
In response to concern for the welfare of its families and residents, the Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 Board of Education of District 205 adopted a resolution at its Sept. 12th meeting authorizing the execution of an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between the City of Chicago and Elmhurst School District 205 for participation in the O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission (ONCC).
This IGA permits and commits the District 205 Board to join the ONCC. The Board has appointed member Kara Caforio to serve as its initial representative.
The O’Hare Fly Quiet night-time runway rotation plan was implemented in an effort to “share the pain” and reduce the impact of overnight aircraft noise on neighborhoods surrounding O’Hare International Airport. However, under Runway Rotation Test 3, Elmhurst has been burdened with a disproportionately greater number of aircraft operations than other nearby communities. Compared to Rotation Test 2, the number of aircraft flying over Elmhurst during nighttime hours has increased by 100%. There was a 300% increase in the percentage of time allotted specifically to arrivals over Elmhurst. T2 allocated one week of 12 for arrivals. T3 allocates four weeks of 12 for arrivals. T2 and T3 both allocate two weeks out of 12 for departures. O’Hare utilizes the runway directed at Elmhurst in 50% of all of Test 3 nighttime configurations.
“The Board of Education is committed to partnering with other governmental agencies to protect and support quality of life in Elmhurst,” said Board president Shannon Ebner. “We are particularly concerned about the potential of the inequitable flight allocations to interfere with student learning and achievement due to excessive disruptions of sleep and other family activities sustained over significant periods of time throughout the school year.”
The District 205 Board has repeatedly responded in a timely manner to community challenges over the years. In September of 2016, the District provided the City of Elmhurst with 51,000 square feet of land at Madison School virtually rent-free for a City stormwater detention basin, providing approximately 5-acre feet of flood storage. Also in 2016, District 205 negotiated and reached a tentative agreement with the City of Elmhurst for the sale of a portion of the Bryan Middle School campus for a stormwater project, one that was ultimately located to lower priced land further away from the school.
The District 205 Board of Education has historically partnered with other community and government agencies to find solutions that benefit its families and all Elmhurst stakeholders. Its goal is always to improve the quality of life for students, their families and the community at-large.
In pursuit of other constructive intergovernmental solutions, the District looks forward this week to reinstating regular informal discussions with elected officials from both the City of Elmhurst and the Elmhurst Park District to address other community challenges.
Ed. note: The City commends the School Board on this action. See their release on the Viewpoint page.
