Board Highlights
The Winnetka Public Schools, January 2025
Regular Meeting
Dan Waters, Board President, noted progress on the District’s Strategic Plan, including the staff and family surveys, which close on January 31, 2025. He thanked the District’s Maintenance, Buildings and Grounds team for their work keeping buildings safe in recent subzero temperatures. He also encouraged participation in the student-led Dance Marathon, which takes place on March 14, 2025 and benefits Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
Superintendent, Dr. Kelly Tess, provided an initial update on the District’s work toward the refinement of a Strategic Plan and encouraged all members of the school community to participate in the Strategic Priorities survey which is open until the end of the day. The Board will receive a Strategic Plan update in memo form each month, beginning in February. Additionally, Dr. Tess recognized the leadership of Washburne teacher, Ms. Tracy Silverman, who has overseen student efforts toward planning the wildly successful Dance Marathon.
Reports on the following Committees were shared by participating Board Members:
Winnetka Public Schools Foundation
Policy Subcommittee Meeting
TrueNorth Cooperative 804
Crow Island Stewardship Meeting
Presentations
Fiscal Year 2024 Auditors’ Report
Betsy Allen, the District’s auditor from Miller, Cooper & Co. Ltd. presented the audit for Fiscal Year 2024. The School Board then approved the audited Annual Financial Report (AFR) and the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for Fiscal Year 2024.
Informational Items
Math Curricular Review
The District continues its thorough review of K-8 math curricular resources. Communication was shared with families of grades 5-8 students before winter break, outlining the goals and structure of the pilot process. The first pilot unit launched in grade 7 classrooms on January 6, 2025, with grades 6 and 8 beginning in the next two weeks, and grade 5 starting in late February.
Teacher teams selected pilot units aligned with current learning standards to ensure minimal disruption and authentic evaluation. The District will gather feedback from students, staff, and parents throughout the process to assess engagement, instructional alignment, and resource effectiveness. Further updates and opportunities for family input will be provided as the pilot progresses.
The Board was given an overview of the staffing process as the District prepares for the 25/26 school year.
The 25/26 school calendar for The Winnetka Public Schools was approved by the School Board at the January 28, 2025 meeting. A link to the calendar can be found here: Approved 2025/2026 School Calendar
It is important to note that the District Calendar Committee considered the following parameters in recommending this calendar for the 25/26 school year:
Alignment with all Illinois State Board of Education calendar requirements
Alignment with New Trier’s 2025/2026 calendar (specifically Winter and Spring Breaks)
Incorporation of reporting days and two full days for each set of parent-teacher conference periods
Typically observed holidays included as non-attendance days
Different options for Institute Day usage during the Winter/Spring timeframe.
Different options for Parent-Teacher Conferences during the Fall/Winter timeframe. This change best aligns with when student benchmarking data is available for teachers to share with parents.
A post-Labor Day start to the school year for students to allow for the longest possible summer timeline for construction and renovation.
Note that Fall Parent/Teacher conferences will fall on both October 30 and 31, 2025. While this means that Halloween will be a non-attendance day, we know how much our students, staff and families enjoy celebrating this holiday together. All Halloween school traditions and festivities will continue to take place with specific plans shared by your school principal. Conference time slots will be provided during time frames that still allow families and staff members to participate in Halloween festivities on the afternoon of October 31.
The Calendar Committee will reconvene again next year with updated parameters to account for the completion of the referendum project at the end of this summer. Staff and community members will have an opportunity to provide input to the Calendar Committee for consideration of the 26/27 school calendar.
FY 26 Budget Calendar & Preparation
The Board gave authority for the beginning of the budgeting process for Fiscal Year 2026. The next two months will see staffing recommendations for next year as well as beginning budgeting by department and school. This cycle culminates with the budget being approved in September.
Bulley & Andrews shared an Executive Summary on construction.
Recommended Updates to School Board Policy – 2nd Read
The Subcommittee reviewed recommended policy updates, as provided for a 1st read at the Board’s December 14, 2025, meeting. These policies were presented for a 2nd read. Barring no objections, policies will be adopted as part of the consent agenda. Continued discussion was held on customizing Policy 8:80 Gifts to the District to consider adding language for Recognition/Naming Rights, Continued interest in customizing policy related to personal devices. Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, Equity and Inclusion, Denise Matthews, attended the meeting to discuss policies related to Student Behavior, Suspension, and Recording of Meetings.
TrueNorth Resolution to Approve the Withdrawal of District 34 from Special Education Cooperative
The Winnetka Public Schools Board was required to review and vote to approve Glenview District 34’s request to withdraw from TrueNorth Special Education Cooperative.
Financial Reports–December 2024
The December 2024 Monthly Financial Reports were presented to the Board in memo form. Operational expenses are tracking at 90% to budget annualized. Financial standing of the Referendum Construction was presented, showing funds available at 104% of the balance due.
Bid Results- Washburne Univent Replacement
The Board approved a package to replace the univents at Washburne and door hardware throughout the district for security purposes. The work will be completed in the summer of 2025.
Additional Supply Fees: Adventures in Learning (Summer 2025)
The Board approved a roughly 10% increase in extra supply fees for certain Adventures in Learning (AIL) Discovery courses. Fees for these courses had not changed since 2022.
The Consent Agenda and Following Action Items Were Approved:
FY2025 Budget Calendar and Preparation Resolution
Fiscal Year 2024 Auditors’ Report
Washburne Univent and Door Replacement Bid Award
Resolution Regarding The Proposed Withdrawal Of School District No. 34 From Truenorth Educational Cooperative 804
2025/2026 Academic Year Calendar
Additional Supply Fees - AIL Summer 2025
Intra-District Transfer Request
To view the entire Board Packet from the January 28, 2025 meeting, click here.