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Board Approves Referendum Question

Voters will see question on November 8 ballot

Board ApprovesReferendum QuestionVoters will see question on November 8 ballot
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The Plan Includes a New Elementary School and Early Learning Center


Dear District 41 Community,


I am writing to let you know the Board of Education voted last night to proceed with a referendum seeking voter approval to solve our significant space issues.

This consensus $49 million plan would build a new elementary school on our Spalding property and a new early learning center addition to our Churchill School. The plan will now appear on our ballots in the upcoming November 8th election for community approval.


If successful, the referendum will allow the district to:

  • Keep Class Sizes Small in Our Neighborhood Schools

  • Offer Full-Day Kindergarten for All Families in their Home School

  • Continue Building Innovative Opportunities for Kids


With the additional space provided by the referendum, we will be able to protect class sizes now and into the future. We will also be able to better facilitate collaboration, which allows for more individual and small group instruction and provides hands-on learning experiences for students.


We will also finally be able to offer full-day programming for kindergartners, which our community has been wanting for years. We’ll also be able to expand our award-winning preschool. These improvements will increase academic and social emotional learning for early learners and potentially provide childcare savings for parents.


Finally, we’ll be better able to meet the individual needs of each and every student through optimized spaces for student resources and supports, programming, and specials. Students will have access to the specialized instruction and related services they need in spaces that maintain their personal dignity and confidentiality. And they’ll get more opportunities to take advantage of innovative programming and STEAM education in improved learning environments.


To support the community’s investment in our schools, the district is pledging $18 million in reserves towards this important work. This is possible because of the district’s conservative approach to spending, focusing on needs over wants and spending on students instead of administration. Our district is fiscally responsible, with the lowest tax rate, lowest cost per student, and highest student-to-administrator ratio of all Glenbard feeder schools.


Solving our district’s space needs would allow us to provide better learning environments, helping our students thrive and continuing our commitment to excellence.


We look forward to discussing this plan further with you over the next few months.


Sincerely,


Dr. Melissa Kaczkowski

Superintendent