We welcome all to our Board of Education meetings each month and invite you to explore highlights from Thursday's meeting, which included an overview of a portion of the summer curriculum work completed by our teachers and other certified staff. These initiatives will evolve and improve our instruction for the 2024-25 school year.

Additional highlights from the meeting include an overview of District 30 communications department practices, my Superintendent's report, and a thank-you to our PTOs for the generous donations they made to District 30 during the 2023-24 school year. Their support of our students and programming is truly invaluable.

I hope you are enjoying a happy and healthy summer!

Sincerely,

Dr. Emily K. Tammaru

Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Melissa Hirsch, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, provided an overview of a portion of the summer curriculum work completed by staff teams to further develop and evolve learning experiences and programs in 14 areas for the upcoming school year.

Dr. Hirsch discussed nine of the initiatives, including English Language Arts (ELA), the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, middle school physical education and District 30's RULER initiative for social-emotional learning and noted how each supports the goals of District 30's Strategic Plan.

"The work completed during the summer projects enhances all areas of our educational program and lays the foundation for professional learning team conversations and continued professional development," Dr. Hirsch said.

She is slated to discuss the other five summer curriculum work initiatives during the Aug. 15 Board meeting.

Dr. Tammaru and Mr. Dale Falk, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations, discussed a report that summarizes known gifts received by District 30 during the 2023-24 school year, as Board policy states that gifts of $500 or more must be accepted by the Board. Mr. Falk noted this annual approval process enables the Board to be aware of community support and to ensure the donations are appropriate.

Dr. Tammaru outlined that the District received nearly $70,000 in donations and gifts from fundraisers and local organizations that support our schools. Of that, more than $50,000 was given by the Wescott, Willowbrook and Maple Parent-Teacher Organizations.

"The PTOs are a huge support for our programs and students," Dr. Tammaru stated. "They give so much of their time and we cannot thank them enough for their incredible efforts."

The Board approved the donations.

District 30 Communications Coordinator Elisabeth Mistretta provided an overview of District 30 communications strategies and data in areas that include branding, social media, internal and external newsletters, media relations and more. She outlined upcoming initiatives for the 2024-25 school year that include new branding tools for staff to best represent District 30 in their work and in the community, as well as integrating information about Strategic Plan initiatives across platforms.

The Board recognized the District's hard work and efforts toward clear, consistent and effective communications, which stakeholders voiced as a priority during the creation of the Strategic Plan. Board members said the work outlined is helping to keep our community informed about the great happenings in our schools and the value the district brings to Glenview and Northbrook.

Enrollment and staffing: Dr. Tammaru noted that fall kindergarten is slated to include three sections at Wescott and two at Willowbrook, while adding that hires are complete for classroom positions at both elementary schools and Maple. She added that District 30 anticipates completion of hiring for all certified positions and instructional assistants by the start of the 2024-25 school year.

2024-25 Board meeting agenda discussion Items: Dr. Tammaru outlined a new report that will be presented in July of each year, which provides the Board an overview of the primary discussion items that are scheduled to take place at Board of Education meetings throughout the upcoming year. She stated that this report provides the Board a preview of the cadence of the meetings and gives Board members an opportunity to review forthcoming topics, possibly requesting additional topics not listed.

Aug. 15 Board meeting agenda draft: Dr. Tammaru outlined a second new initiative, which will occur monthly and shares a draft agenda with Board members outlining their next meeting.This allows the Board an improved opportunity to review the agenda and request any additions, deletions or changes.

Board members completed their first read of PRESS (Policy Reference Education Subscription Service) 115 updates. Dr. Tammaru noted that none of the policies included substantive changes, with only minor updates to areas such as footnotes. The Board is slated to have completed a second read of the policies and approve them at the August 15 meeting.

The Board approved the hire of Laura Mir, Willowbrook Social Worker; and Bianca Rog, Wescott Kindergarten Teacher. Please welcome them to District 30!

The Board also approved the following staff members to transfer to these roles for the 2024-25 school year: Amy Gloria, Kindergarten Teacher, Wescott; Courtney Hoffman, First-Grade Teacher, Wescott; Eileen Mulroe, First-Grade Teacher, Willowbrook; Gretchen Stump, Instructional Assistant - K-5 Math Intervention, Willowbrook. Please welcome them to their new roles!

Additionally, the Board approved one retirement, three resignations and two leaves of absence.

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