Weigh in on D112's Future at Series of Workshops

The following is from District 112:

Dear North Shore School District 112 Community Members:

We have a once in a generation opportunity before us, and we need your help.

District 112 stakeholders, including parents, community members, the school board, and district staff, have been working together for nearly three years to develop a financially sustainable plan for our schools that supports 21st Century learning and provides optimal learning environments for all of our students.

We have made great progress together. But now, more than ever, we need your participation and input! In the coming weeks, the district will host a series of interactive community workshops where you can learn more about school configuration options. Each workshop will be identical in structure and content, so join us for the one that works best for your schedule.

Please RSVP here

The following workshops will be held at Elm Place Middle School:

Saturday, Oct. 25, 9:30-11:30 AM

Wednesday, Oct. 29, 7:00-9:00 PM

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Thursday, Nov. 6, 7:00-9:00 PM (Note that the Oct. 21 meeting date that was originally announced was changed to Nov. 5)

Spanish translators will be available at all meetings. Additionally, we will hold one workshop entirely in Spanish at Oak Terrace Elementary School:

Sunday, Nov. 9, 2:00-4:00 PM

Please join us to engage in active dialogue so we can benefit from your insights and opinions about the future of our school district. Community members will also have a chance to share their opinions in a survey that will be available in November.

Doing nothing is not an option.

Earlier this year, the Superintendent’s Citizen Finance and Facilities Advisory Committee identified four major challenges that the district faces:

1. Aging buildings that require significant and expensive repairs.

2. Too many buildings, which leads to inefficient staffing and high building maintenance

costs.

3. Financial strains that are expected to continue. District expenses are outpacing revenues

and maintaining aging infrastructure is a big reason for that.

4. Inadequate infrastructure to meet 21st Century learning needs and prepare our

children for a world transformed by new technology.

In June, District 112 partnered with Chicago-based architectural firm Nagle Hartray to develop a detailed plan for reconfiguring our school district into a fewer number of buildings, based on the criteria and recommendations set forth by our dedicated citizen’s advisory committee. The team at Nagle Hartray developed several options for further consideration. More detailed information about each option, including cost estimates, is currently being gathered. That information WILL be available for the community meetings, along with the architect’s recommendations.

Click here for an overview of the options and a comparison chart.

On October 16, Nagle Hartray will present a final report to the school board with recommended options to address the district’s challenges and provide the foundation from which to build a sustainable future. The workshops on Oct. 25, Oct. 29, Nov. 5, Nov. 6 and Nov. 9 will offer a chance for community members to learn more, provide feedback, and have their questions answered.

We have reached a point where critical decisions must be made to ensure that current students and future generations of Highland Park and Highwood families enjoy the outstanding educational resources that they have come to expect from North Shore School District 112. I hope you will participate in this important conversation. Again, please remember to RSVP at this link, so we can plan for adequate space.

Sincerely,

Dr. Michael Bregy, Superintendent

North Shore School District 112