Board Update
Referendum Building Plans Reviewed
Renovation, Addition Plans Mapped For Each School
The district continues to work with DLA Architects to develop plans for school additions and renovations as outlined in the Facilities Master Plan and the proposed $94.9 million bond referendum on the April 1 ballot, said Superintendent Dr. Jason Pearson.
With the proposal on the ballot, the architects are drawing up basic floor plans to outline square footage and renovations within the funding allocations for each school.
Northbrook Junior High
The proposed redesign of the front entrance and offices to improve security and accessibility will also provide the opportunity to create a central hub in the school. Reconfiguring the office area and the lobby area will improve flow and accessibility on the first and second floors to the gym and music wing at the back of the school, Dr. Pearson said.
Work includes:
Renovate the front entrance and office area to improve security and accessibility.
Renovate the lobby area to create a two-story open area and a hub that connects the front and back wings of the building.
Create a new exterior facade and bring in more natural light with a possible raised roof and floor-to-ceiling windows in the library, which is situated above the entrance.
Build an addition with a larger cafeteria and flexible performance space, a larger kitchen and commons area to connect to the gymnasium.
Update fire alarm system and sprinkler system.
Renovate existing bathrooms and make them ADA compliant.
Renovate existing cafeteria into a STEM lab and two classrooms.
Meadowbrook School
The architects have completed soil borings to ensure the location of the two-story building can be located at the back of the lot. The new school would be constructed behind the existing building. With the construction site enclosed for safety, the existing school would operate during construction, allowing children to stay with their school community. If funding is approved, the concept will be developed into a detailed design with input from students, staff and the community.
Plans for a new gymnasium will move forward regardless of the referendum outcome. If the referendum fails. it would be attached to the rear of the existing building using a connecting corridor.
Greenbriar School
Basic drawings and estimates show the following projects would be completed:
Build a new classroom wing addition behind the gymnasium to replace the 75-year-old classroom wing along Greenbriar Lane.
Build a new cafeteria/flexible auditorium, stage and commons area where the 75-year-old classroom wing is located.
Renovate the existing multipurpose room/cafeteria and adjacent classrooms into a STEM lab, music and art classrooms.
Improve entrance security.
Update fire alarm, sprinkler and P.A. systems.
Renovate existing bathrooms throughout the building and make them ADA compliant.
Add bathrooms in the east wing.
Update playgrounds and improve accessibility.
Add parking north and east of the building.
Remodel corridors to update lockers, carpet and create break-out learning spaces.
Westmoor School
The Facilities Master Plan indicated the need for a small addition so that more bathrooms would be built in each classroom wing. The architects are still working on the floor plans for Westmoor, Dr. Pearson said. They are exploring the feasibility of including a cafeteria/flexible auditorium to mirror the new spaces in the other two elementary buildings and renovating the existing multi-purpose room into classrooms and bathrooms.
Work at Westmoor includes:
Add a cafeteria with flexible performance space.
Improve entrance security.
Update fire alarm, sprinkler, and P.A. systems.
Renovate existing bathrooms throughout the building and make them ADA compliant.
Replace obsolete HVAC units.
Remodel existing multipurpose room to classrooms and new ADA-compliant bathrooms.
Replace old playground equipment and improve accessibility.
“We’re very excited about the plans and what is feasible. We will continue to update the board and community as work progresses,” Dr. Jason Pearson said.
Greenbriar Principal To Move To Meadowbrook
Dr. Ginny Hiltz, a nine-year principal of Greenbriar School with more than 20 years of experience as an educator, has been appointed the new principal at Meadowbrook School for the 2025-26 school year, Superintendent Dr. Jason Pearson announced on Wednesday, Jan. 29.
Dr. Hiltz brings to Meadowbrook a history of strong school leadership and a focus on developing a culture where students feel supported and experience success. This appointment, effective July 1, will also allow for a seamless transition for both schools, allowing her the opportunity to support a new principal at Greenbriar.
As a resident of Northbrook, Dr. Hiltz said she is fully invested in District 28 as a staff member, parent and community member.
“This is a good opportunity to challenge myself with a new building and school community while staying in the district I care so much about. I look forward to getting acquainted with the staff and families at Meadowbrook and continuing to build on their success,” Dr. Hiltz said. “Greenbriar is in a really good place and it feels like the right time for a fresh perspective. By staying in the district, I will also be able to help with the transition.”
Dr. Hiltz’s background includes working as a 2nd-grade teacher and library media center director in Winnetka District 36 and serving in leadership positions at Galapagos Charter School in Chicago and Arlington Heights District 25. She earned a doctorate in educational philosophy and educational technology shortly after joining District 28.
During her time at Greenbriar, Dr. Hiltz implemented a therapy dog program that, as she says, brought the ‘most-loved staff member’ to school every day. Krieger, the Goldendoodle, will join her at Meadowbrook, but he will also spend time at Greenbriar and Westmoor visiting his friends during the next two years before he retires as a facility dog.
Dr. Hiltz will work closely with Meadowbrook Interim Principals Dr. Heidi Wennstrom and Jeanne Banas during the Spring to begin planning for next year at Meadowbrook. The principal vacancy at Greenbriar is posted on the district website and we will begin the selection and hiring process right away to find the next principal for Greenbriar School.
