April 29 Board Brief

April 29 Board Brief

Dear District 30 Family,

Thank you for your continued commitment, partnership, and support. As we work hard to finish this year well, we are actively planning for next year. We are optimistically looking forward to a return to more normal operations in the fall. We have faced this challenging time together and will overcome the obstacles that remain. We will reach the other side of this time together, and we see the light ahead.

Our last Board Meeting also included the following relevant items:

Celebrated Retiring and Incoming Board Members                                        

Thank you to the cadre of Education Association Members who joined our meeting last night, including Talia Block, Elissa Anderson, EJ Choi, Alexis Georgis, Cindy Habel, David Karnoscak, Mindy Lamberti, April Lobo, Dawn Nettelhorst, Connie Park, Sam Pilnick, Jen Schmidt, and Jackie Ruff for helping us share our appreciation for Ursula Sedlak who served two four-year terms with back-to-back successful two-year terms as our Board President. 

We also officially celebrated the re-election of Keith Karchmar and Jeff Zuercher, who began their second terms. We welcomed Dr. Stephanie Yohannan onto our high-functioning, caring Board of Education.

Mrs. Sedlak’s eight years of exemplary service to District 30 were recognized and celebrated. It was inspiring to hear our Board reflect on our perseverant students as they shared their appreciation for our talented and committed staff. Thank you to our entire Board of Education for their selfless service to our community!

Board Reorganized

The Board unanimously elected Nancy Artz and Jeff Zuercher respectively as our Board President and Board Vice-President. The Board of Education also approved our Board Protocols that guide how our Board members operate. 

The Board appointed Michele Pollina and Terry Wolf as our Co-Board Secretaries until June 30, 2023. Thank you to all of these individuals for their service to District 30!

Personnel & Staffing

The Board of Education accepted one resignation and approved one retirement. They also approved four new staff members, including Jamie Holmer as Maple’s librarian, Kelli Stiltz as a math teacher at Maple, Alexis (Lexi) Barrett as a new music/orchestra teacher at Wescott and Willowbrook, and Elizabeth Flagler as a School Psychologist at Wescott. Please welcome these individuals to the District 30 Family!

The Board also supported the addition of three temporary teachers for the 2021-22 school year. A final decision on these additions will be made once student status is known for the fall.

2021-22 Strategic Plan & Board Goals Approved

The Board of Education also approved next year’s Strategic Plan with two important Board Goals:

Goal 1: Increase District 30’s capacity to systemically collaborate within grade-level teams to execute the cycle of continuous instructional improvement. 

Goal 2: Thoughtfully Respond to the Impact of COVID-19 on the District 30 Family.

We look forward to exploring how Professional Learning Teams can complement our strong grade-level teams at Maple. Our entire family will also benefit from embracing the enduring benefits from the past year as we thoughtfully recover from the challenges we have faced and overcome together.

Phased Operations Update

The Board and I shared sincere appreciation for our staff’s commitment, students’ engagement, and parents’ partnership. The fact that everyone continues to give more during this time was recognized and celebrated.

The Board was briefed on upcoming plans for 5th and 8th-Grade celebrations that will include:

  • Maple
    • 8th-Grade party on May 19
    • Virtual Variety Show and live-streamed awards ceremony on May 26
    • 8th-Grade Graduation at Glenbrook North’s Athletic Stadium on May 30 at 6:00 p.m. 
  • Wescott & Willowbrook
    • Combined 5th-Grade Celebration at Willowbrook on Thursday, May 27 from 11:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. with Zoom event from 2:15 - 3:00 p.m.
    • Willowbrook: 5th-Grade Promotion Ceremonies on Wednesday, June 2
    • Wescott: 5th-Grade Promotion Ceremonies at Maple on May 25 and 26 & a Video Celebration on Wednesday, June 2  (due to WS construction)

June 1 & June 2

Plans for our full day of school on June 1 with student release on June 2 were also discussed. Highlighted was the early student release on June 2, which supports staff in packing up rooms to relocate 5th-grade back to our elementary schools, as we prepare for this summer’s Wescott and Willowbrook construction.

The Board reviewed our team’s progress on planning for the fall of 2021. The Board reflected on plans for full in-person learning with required mitigation measures in place, along with the resumption of athletics and activities. 

Elementary Capacity Project Update

The Board reviewed Wescott School’s construction progress that included footings and foundation walls for the additions with the successful installation of underground water detention. Dr. Wegley noted the outstanding partnership of the Northbrook Park District. They approved an Intergovernmental Agreement allowing connection from the new underground water detention to Northbrook’s stormwater system across the edge of their property in Wescott Park.

The Board also celebrated the additional classroom capacity’s impact on ensuring a return to daily in-person instruction for all students in the fall, with Willowbrook serving pre-K through 5th-grade, Wescott serving K through 5th-grade, and Maple returning to serving only grades 6 through 8.

Board Reports

Mrs. Artz presented an update on NSSED’s last meeting, including budget, enrollment, and transition information. Mr. Rizki summarized the last Northbrook Economic Development Committee meeting. He shared several village statistics, including construction permits, retail and industrial occupation rates, and an improving unemployment rate. 

Our next Board Meeting will be at Maple School at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 13, 2021. All are welcome!

Let me know if you have any questions, and have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Dr. Brian K. Wegley
Superintendent