October 11, 2023

LAKE FOREST, Illinois – On October 11, 2023, Lake Forest Community High School District 115 completed the successful sale of its AAA-rated General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2023, authorized by Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and Knollwood voters during the April 4, 2023 election.

The bonds, with total proceeds of $105,700,00, will be used to protect and improve historic Lake Forest Community High School by addressing the building’s most pressing capital facility needs including roofing, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, lighting, masonry, exterior enclosures, fire protection, security systems, student labs and classrooms, improving ADA accessibility, reconfiguring spaces for student support, and better integration of instructional spaces for students.The District expects to expedite these projects over the next four years.

“With this bond sale, the total cost is under what we promised the taxpayers,“ said Superintendent Matthew L. Montgomery, Ph.D. “I am proud of the excellence we continue to offer our District 115 families, while maintaining the lowest school tax rate in Lake County for our residents.”

The highly competitive sale, conducted by municipal advising firm Raymond James and the law firm Chapman Cutler, included 11 interested investors. The winning bidder was Bank of America Securities, submitting a bid with lowest true interest cost of 4.355% (including cost of issuance). The annual debt service, to be repaid over 20 years, is approximately $21,000,000 less than the initially estimated for taxpayers during the referendum education effort. The tax impact of the 2023 bond issue on a home with a fair market value of $1,000,000 will now be $870 per year, $104 less than the $974 originally estimated.

"The District considered other financing structures for the bonds with our financial advisors," said District 115 Board of Education President John Noble. "Such options came with greater risk associated with market volatility, and were deemed to violate the promise and structure outlined to our community prior to voter approval of the referendum in April."

“In this volatile market, locking in interest rates is paramount to helping us minimize risk,” said Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Jennifer Hermes. “Our goal is to seek the most fiscally conservative position for the District and our taxpayers.”

Proceeds from the 2023 bond will be professionally invested until needed to meet planned capital project expenditures. Interest earnings from these investments will be returned to the capital project budget. The District has issued a formal Request for Proposal for investment services for the bond proceeds. For more information, please visit the Referendum page of the District 115 website.

Matthew L. Montgomery, Ph.D.

Superintendent

• October 26
  
• 7:30-11:00 pm Orchestra Concert
  
• October 27
• Deadline to Drop a Class
• November 1
• School Picture Retakes
• November 2
• School Picture Retakes
• 8:00 am-10:00 am Senior Breakfast
• 10:00 am-12:00 pm APT Meeting (West Campus Board Room)
• 7:30 pm -11:00 pm Band Concert
• November 3
• Honors Voice Recitals
• November 4
• ILMEA District 7 Festival
• 9:00 am-12:00 pm ACT Test Prep
• November 7
• D115 Board of Education Meeting
  

• November 7, 2023 - Regular Meeting
  
• December 5, 2023 - Regular Meeting
• February 6, 2023 - Regular Meeting

Agendas will be posted prior to the meeting on the District 115 Board of Education website.

• Agenda - October 10, 2023
• Recording
  
• Superintendent's Report
• President's Report
  
• Student Leader Report

Get to Know Your Board and the Work They Do

We are excited to announce another Community Coffee for D67 at the Gorton Center on November 6, from 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm These events will provide an opportunity for the community to connect and engage informally with members of our school board and administration. This event is open to all with a goal of building connections and fostering a stronger, more informed community.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Ashleigh Malec, Corey Holmer, Quest Food Management Services, the APT, and everyone who volunteered and joined us at the Great FULL Market 2023. It was a day to remember. Your presence filled the event with food, laughter, and positivity. From balloon artists, hot chocolate, churros, and your donations, your generosity shone brightly. Thanks to your donations and 80+ student and family volunteers, more than 4000 lbs of fresh produce was distributed to Beacon Place families.

We couldn't have done it without your support. Your spirit of giving truly makes a difference in our community. Stay tuned for more exciting community gatherings, and thank you for being a part of our Great FULL Market 2023!

The 4th annual Great FULL Market is tentatively scheduled for October 20, 2024!

Join us in welcoming the next two new additions to the D115 team - Tyler Darnall and Ida Fiore! We are fortunate to count you both as new Scouts. #ScoutNation

⭐Tyler Darnall - Band and Orchestra Teaching Assistant

Fun Facts about Tyler: “I am a huge University of Kansas sports fan as well as the Kansas City Chiefs. I’m an avid snowboarder and I used to take road-trips in college to Colorado for long weekends anytime I had a long weekend in the winter. I also used to play in the Drumline for the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, TN.”

⭐Ida Fiore - Special Education Teaching Assistant

Fun Fact about Ida: “My passion is service learning. When the weekend arrives, you'll catch me in action, getting involved in hands-on service projects that make our community thrive. And here's a twist – I'm not only a co-founder of SaLT (Service and Learning Together), but also a retired teacher! Teaching has shaped my perspective and fuels my commitment to learning and giving back.”

⭐Sarah Dworkin - Special Education Teacher

Fun Facts about Sarah: “I am a mama to 2 boys, William who is 3 and Henry who is one, and one golden retriever, Luna. I have been married for 6 years to my husband James. I'm coming to LFHS from Chicago Public Schools where I've taught since 2018. I have my bachelors degree in business marketing from The Ohio State University and my Masters in Education from UIC. I've lived in 5 different states, I'm a huge Ohio State Buckeyes fan (go Bucks!!!), and I love music, art, and all the DIY crafty things!”

The links below are just a few examples of the many amazing articles written by the staff of the Forest Scout Student Newspaper. You can find their website here.

Thank you to the LFHS Theatre Department for putting on a wonderful fall play! We traveled across the universe on stage in a Wrinkle of Time! Check out the pictures below for highlights!

In a previous post we shared that The Forest Scout was granted new video equipment this past spring, so today we are bringing you some insight into the student perspective on the impact of this grant as well as a link to a sample of the work they are doing with it. View The Slow Walker Problem here.

Back in 2014, 2015 and 2016 the LFHS Foundation invested nearly $7,000 in digital cameras and new monitors for our budding journalists, as well as video/audio recording kits for use in a wide array of English classes. These tools allow students to learn and grow communicating effectively with one another, their teachers, the school community and beyond in new and creative ways. You can join us in having a positive impact across the curriculum at LFHS by donating today.

Visit http://www.lfhsfoundation.org/ or donate at LFHSAnnualFund.givesmart.com

The District utilizes Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Follow us to learn more about celebrations, student achievements, and District news!

Join us in the historic and beautiful Lake Forest Library for hors d'oeuvres and wine with music by the Lake Forest Civic Orchestra woodwind quintet. This after-hours soiree in celebration of the library's 125th anniversary is not to be missed! Register soon, space is limited.

November 3, 2023 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Lake Forest Library, 360 East Deerpath Road, Lake Forest, IL, USA

We hope you’re able to join us!

The winner’s design will be featured on the button available throughout the community during the 2023 holiday season – and the designer of the winning entry will receive $100 in Chamber Checks redeemable at Chamber member business throughout Lake Forest and Lake Bluff.

DIRECTIONS FOR SUBMISSION:

It’s easy to enter! Simply print the blank 5" circle attached to this email and create an original design communicating a winter or holiday theme. Then email a digital image of your design to info@LFLBchamber.com. Be sure to include your name, contact information, school and grade.

Be sure to keep the original hard copy of your artwork—the printer will need the original of the winning design to use in the process of printing the buttons!

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: Monday, November 6 by 10:00 am

Questions? Contact us at info@LFLBchamber.com or (847) 234-4282

Women in Science Now: Stories and Strategies for Achieving Equity - Lisa M.P. Munoz and Vanessa Bohns, Ph.D.

November 1, 2023 7:00 pm

Lisa M.P. Munoz's "Women in Science Now: Stories and Strategies for Achieving Equity" addresses the gender gap in science, sharing women's experiences and offering solutions. The book combines narratives with research-based solutions and social psychology studies. Munoz, founder of SciComm Services, discusses her work with Vanessa Bohns, Ph.D. An after-hours event is available for book purchasers. FAN collects registration data for event planning.

Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World - Devorah Heitner, Ph.D. and Heidi Stevens

November 6, 2023 7:00pm

Devorah Heitner, Ph.D., presents "Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World," advising parents on helping tweens and teens navigate privacy, identity, and reputation in the age of constant connectivity. The book discusses the pressures of maintaining a digital presence, emphasizing character development, not fear of exposure. An event featuring Heitner and Heidi Stevens will be recorded and available later. Attendees who buy the book can join an after-hours event. FAN collects registration data for event planning.

Social Media and Adolescent Mental Health - Mitch Prinstein, Ph.D., ABPP, Eva Telzer, Ph.D., and Claudia Welke, MD

November 8, 2023 7:00 pm

FAN welcomes back Dr. Mitch Prinstein, Chief Science Officer of the American Psychological Association and Professor at UNC. In collaboration with Dr. Eva Telzer, they'll explore youth tech and social media through developmental cognitive neuroscience and psychopathology. Topics include social media addiction, mood associations, digital stress, peer influence, and its impact on brain development. Dr. Prinstein's research focuses on peer relationships and depression, while Dr. Telzer examines adolescent brain development and social media's role. They will be joined by Dr. Claudia Welke for a conversation.

This event is suitable for ages 12+ and will be recorded for FAN's website and YouTube channel.

Class: A Memoir of Motherhood, Hunger, and Higher Education - Stephanie Land and Molly Smith Metzler

November 13, 2023 7:00 pm

FAN hosts Stephanie Land who talks about her memoir "Maid", which gained acclaim from President Obama, and inspired the hit Netflix series viewed by 67 million households. It tells the story of her escape from poverty and abuse. In "Class," she shares her college journey, overcoming financial struggles and societal judgments, ultimately graduating in her mid-thirties. The book explores motherhood, personal ambition, and societal values. Land discusses her work with Molly Smith Metzler, creator of the Netflix series "Maid."

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