Dear District 30 Community,

As our students and staff joyfully closed out the first half of the academic year this morning with another successful Winter Sing, our Board of Education met Thursday with a look ahead at a key development coming to classrooms.

The Board heard a report from Dr. Melissa Hirsch, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, and several District 30 educators, which focused on a new English language arts (ELA) resource for kindergarten through 5th grade that was selected from an instructional pilot conducted this fall.

The newly selected resource, Into Reading, was approved by the Board and will launch in classrooms for the 2025-26 school year. Starting in February, we will commence a comprehensive professional development plan with our staff on its use and implementation, which will continue through the fall.

You can read more details about how Into Reading was selected in the report linked below, as well as the benefits we are confident it will provide for our learners.

Additionally, I hope you will mark your calendars in the new year to join me for Conversations with the Community on February 12 at either noon or 6 p.m. at our district offices. Click here or below to register. This is an opportunity to meet with me and a member of our Board of Education to ask questions and share thoughts on what's important to you in our schools. I hope to see you there!

Wishing you happy holidays and a bright new year,

Dr. Emily K. Tammaru

Superintendent of Schools

The Board held a public hearing on and later approved the 2024 levy at $33,855,000 for capped funds and $3,434,800 for non-capped funds.

As a general reminder, districts under the tax cap can raise their property tax collection by CPI (Consumer Price Index) plus any new growth/construction not previously on the local tax rolls. The annual levy (what is requested) is routinely set artificially high because even though the CPI factor of 3.4% is known, the new growth/construction in a district is unknown. Once new growth/construction is determined in the spring, the actual 2024 extension (what is received) will be finalized and is assumed to be approximately 5-6% (3.4% for CPI + 1.6-2.6% for new growth) higher than the 2023 extension.

Dr. Melissa Hirsch, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, was joined by Kindergarten Teacher Amy Schutz, First Grade Teacher Sharon Latek, Fourth Grade Teacher Courtney Sislow and District 30 Literacy Coordinator Amy Copeland to report on a recommended new English language arts (ELA) resource for kindergarten through 5th-grade.

They detailed how the District 30's K-5 ELA Committee spent 14 months reviewing, learning, evaluating, drafting new curriculum maps, and piloting multiple ELA resources. They also outlined the adoption process, as well as feedback on the resources from students and staff.

The Into Reading resource was selected for grades 1-5 because it delivers standards-based, flexible, and innovative learning experiences built on best teaching practices and educational research, they shared. It also aligns to the ISBE 2024 Comprehensive Literacy Plan and to the Illinois Learning Standards.

They also outlined the professional development plans for staff that will run March to September 2025, as well as the expected benefits of Into Reading. These include providing a comprehensive program that will equip teachers with the resources they need to teach Illinois state standards, along with assessments and differentiation options that best allow teachers to meet the needs of all students.

Following their presentation, the Board approved the adoption of Into Reading.

Mr. Dale Falk, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations, presented a report on District 30's Master Facility Plan and the summer 2025 work it will encompass at all three schools.

He reported that all three schools will undergo security upgrades, with additional work that will include:

Maple - The parking lot will be sealcoated as part of District 30's rotating maintenance schedule. Additionally, Mr. Falk noted that the Village of Northbrook will begin its Shermer Road resurfacing and sidepath project that might affect traffic near the school.

Willowbrook - Wood chips on the east playground will be replaced with a poured-in-place surface, like the playground at Wescott. The replacement of carpeting with tile in key areas of the second floor that commenced last summer will also continue, along with a painting project that will be allocated from the district's annual painting budget.

Wescott - Washroom renovations will continue, with upgrades to the southeast corridor location. Several doors inside the building will be replaced, as well as indoor environmental quality testing that is performed annually in a rotation at each school

Board President Mr. Jeff Zuercher reported on the Illinois Association of School Board Joint Conference that he, Dr. Tammaru and Mr. Falk attended in late November. He shared that they learned much from gathering with colleagues across the state and attending seminars on topics like school finance, community engagement, educational equity and advocacy, safety and security, collective bargaining, and more.

The Board adopted the following polices from PRESS Issue 116 following a second reading:

• 2:260 Uniform Grievance Procedure
• 2:265 Title IX Grievance Procedure
• 5:100 Staff Development Program
• 7:185 Teen Dating Violence Prohibited
• 7:20 Harassment of Students Prohibited

Board members Mrs. Pamela Manicioto and Mr. Patrick Wang met for a Board Policy Committee on Thursday, prior to the regular meeting to review the following policies from this PRESS Issue:

• 2:105 Ethics & Gift Ban
• 2:120 Board Member Development
• 4:30 Revenue & Investments
• 4:60 Purchases & Contracts
• 4:150 Facility Management & Building Programs
• 4:170 Safety
• 5:10 Equal Employment Opportunity & Minority Recruitment
• 5:20 Workplace Harassment Prohibited
• 5:90 Abused & Neglected Child Reporting
• 5:125 Personal Technology & Social Media; Usage & Conduct
• 6:60 Curriculum Content
• 6:135 Accelerated Placement Program
• 7:10 Equal Educational Opportunities
• 7:100 Health, Eye, & Dental Examinations; Immunizations; & Exclusion of Students
• 7:180 Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, & Harassment
• 7:200 Suspension Procedures
• 8:10 Connection with the Community

The Board of Education consists of seven members elected from the general public to serve the entire Northbrook/Glenview School District 30 Community. The Board provides governance for the district by hiring and evaluating the superintendent and approving a budget, policies, and goals that align with the district's strategic plan. Board members are:

• President -Jeff Zuercher
  
• Vice President - Ammar Rizki
• Zivit Blonder
  
• Keith Karchmar
• Pamela Manicioto
  
• Patrick Wang
• Dr. Stephanie Yohannan

Northbrook/Glenview District 30 exists to create an inclusive community that inspires learning, fosters resiliency, and cares deeply for every child. We honor childhood and foster intellectual, physical and social-emotional growth. District 30 serves more than 1,200 students in pre-K through 8th grade across Willowbrook, Wescott and Maple Schools.

We prohibit harassment and discrimination of all forms within our district and follows all policies and procedures to ensure a safe environment for all.

Email: communications@district30.org
Website: district30.org
Location: 2374 Shermer Road, Northbrook, IL, USA
Phone: 847-498-4190