
Board Briefs October 2023

Volume 27, No. 4 | Thursday, October 26, 2023
NEWS FROM THE OCTOBER 24, 2023 MEETING
Strategic Planning
District Launches New Strategic Planning Effort
The Catalyst for Educational Change will lead a strategic planning process that will provide a district roadmap for the next three to five years.
Superintendent Dr. Jason Pearson recommended the non-profit consulting agency after researching and interviewing several potential planning partners. CEC will facilitate a planning committee comprised of staff, parents, community. The agency will also host community engagement events to gather perceptions of District 28 and aspirations for future learners.
The process will take about six months, Dr. Pearson said. The district’s previous strategic plan was adopted in June 2018 with five goal areas and action plans. The timing is right to take a new look at the district’s mission, vision and goals with Dr. Pearson joining the district in July 2022 as the new superintendent and with the goals and objectives from the 2018 plan complete.
Board members approved the contract and emphasized the importance of involving as many stakeholders as possible in the process.
District Finances
Tax Levy Proposed for November Approval
Every year, the district must adopt a tax levy to request local property tax revenues. Local property tax revenues fund about 85 percent of the district’s operations.
Chief School Business Official Jessica Donato recommended a levy of $45.7 million, an increase of 9.98% over the prior year.
State tax cap laws limit the amount that can be collected by 5% or the rate of inflation, whichever is less, over the prior year, plus new growth. Last year’s inflation rate, based on the Consumer Price Index for 2022, which was 6.5%.
New growth and final extension calculations will be completed by the county next fall. Asking for a higher levy ensures the district can capture all revenues available under the tax cap formula.
2024-25 School Calendar Approved
Calendar Aligns With Glenbrook 225
As in previous years, the 2024-25 School calendar aligns with Glenbrook District 225 as much as possible.
The 2024-25 calendar includes:
- First day of school for K-8 students: Wednesday, Aug. 21
- First day for Young Explorers: Thursday, Aug. 22
- Thanksgiving Break for students: Nov. 25-Nov. 29
- Winter Break: Monday, Dec. 23 – Friday, Jan. 3
- Spring Break: Monday, March 24 – Friday, March 28
- Young Explorers Last Day of School: Monday, June 2
- Last Day of School with No Emergency Days Used: Tuesday, June 3
Staffing Update
Interim Assistant Director of Student Services Appointed
A retired school administrator will provide additional support for student services through the remainder of the year. Beth Jones was appointed to serve as a part-time interim Assistant Director of Student Services for Greenbriar School. Ms. Jones most recently worked as the Assistant Superintendent for Student Services in Barrington Community Unit School District 220 and was an administrator for a total of 16 years. She began her career as a special education teacher at the elementary and middle school levels for 14 years. Previously, one assistant director split their time between Meadowbrook and Greenbriar. At Westmoor, the assistant director is also the program director for Young Explorers Early Childhood Program.
Communications
District Launches New Website
The new website features:
- Improved navigation with links to frequently used pages and an improved search tool to help visitors find what they are looking for quickly.
- A prominently displayed translate option that provides enhanced translation to support visitors in any language.
- An accessibility tool to support all users with vision disabilities.
- A customized website for each school to give parents quick access to frequently used pages.
- An easy-to-search staff directory
- Customizable and searchable calendars that can sync to visitor's mobile devices or create a custom view on desktop devices.
Celebrations and Upcoming Events
Six Students to Participate in Regional Music Festivals
Six Northbrook Junior High School musicians were selected by audition to perform in the Illinois Music Educator Association District 7 Festivals. This year the auditions included hundreds of band and orchestra students from over 60 schools.
Preparing to audition for this festival is a great learning experience, and acceptance is a true achievement.
The ILMEA District 7 Junior Band and Junior Orchestra rehearse and perform together on Saturday, November 4 at Glenbrook South High School. Similarly, the ILMEA District 7 Junior and Senior Jazz Bands rehearse and perform at Lake Zurich High School on Saturday, November 18. Selected students will work with special guest conductors, while learning and performing alongside peers from across the northern portion of Illinois.
NBJH Bands Alumni Invited to Festival
Any and all former graduates of the Northbrook Junior High band program are invited to participate in the NBJH Bands Alumni Festival on Monday, December 18 at 7 p.m.
Alumni are invited to participate at any level they are comfortable: as audience members, casual performers, or full-fledged members of the NBJH Wind Ensemble or Jazz Factory.
Sign up for the 2023 NBJH Bands Alumni Festival or to contact Mr. Scapillato at gscapillato@northbrook28.net or 847-504-3530 for more information.
Want to Know More?
Livestream/Archive Video
The Board of Education meetings are live-streamed on the District 28's YouTube Channel. The live streams are also archived for later viewing.
Next Meeting is NOVEMBER 28 at 7 p.m.
The Board of Education meets in the HOH Community Room at District office, 1475 Maple Ave., Northbrook. The meetings are also live-streamed on the District 28 YouTube channel.
Visit Northbrook28.net for more information