March 2026 Board Meeting Recap
Fremont School District 79
Regular Board Meeting
Board President Gabriela Whipple thanked parents and teachers for their collaboration to benefit students during the recent school conferences. She remarked on the recent litigation filed jointly with Mundelein High School District 120 against the Village of Mundelein regarding insufficient impact fees from the Walnut Ridge development, which will result in a combined $3.3 shortfall in funding related to the new students who will be generated. She also wished everyone a safe and happy Spring Break.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Trisha Kocanda thanked everyone who came out to the annual PTO March Madness staff basketball game to support the PTO and our schools. She remarked on the recent virtual Parent Book Club event, where the book "Permission to Feel" was discussed, highlighting the RULER system, which is being incorporated in our schools. She stated that the Middle School is enjoying another terrific athletics year with both eighth-grade girls' volleyball teams winning conference championships and two wrestlers advancing to the IESA state meet. Registration is underway for incoming kindergartners for the next school year, with 173 students pre-registered to date. A Kindergarten Information Night was held for families on March 4. Finally, she stated that the District's next mailed newsletter will be hitting mailboxes in early April and will include information regarding a brief community survey.
Recognition
The meeting featured a pair of recognitions for Intermediate School students. Fifth-grader Cadence created a sensory board for all students to utilize, while Fatima, Gio, Emma, and Theo presented a plan for a Little Library at the school. The students also helped begin the Board meeting by leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
Presentation
Assistant Superintendent of Learning Dr. Brian Bullis shared the outcomes of the District's three-year review of evidence-based literacy practices and resource alignment. Key recommendations include adopting Collaborative Classroom (K-2), Heggerty Bridge to Reading (PK-2), Heggerty Bridge to Writing (K), and Amplify CKLA (3-5). To ensure successful implementation, the District has scheduled comprehensive professional learning sessions starting in Spring 2026.
Informational Items
Dr. Kocanda provided an update on new residential developments within the District's boundaries.
- On February 23, 2026, District 79 and District 120 filed a lawsuit. The suit challenges the approval of high-density residential developments on the “Walnut Ridge” and the adjacent “Agricultural Property” sites. The core of the dispute lies in a new 2025 Village of Mundelein ordinance that significantly reduced developer “school impact fees,” creating a projected funding gap of over $3.3 million for the school districts. While these fees are intended to cover the capital costs of new student enrollment, the Village denied the school districts’ right to formally object to these insufficient rates during the approval process.
- The Village of Round Lake Park is annexing the Deep Creek Ranch Property land near Route 60 and Fremont Center Road for future development. Mayor Seminary stated that the immediate plans are for a commercial development.
- Next steps for the District include conducting enrollment forecasting analysis with Cropper GIS to embed new residential developments approved since 2024, working with Round Lake on communication concerning Redwood and related school impact fees, and monitoring the lawsuit’s status and keeping the community informed.
Safety and Security Coordinator - Shared Position
It was recommended to the Board that the District add a Safety & Security Coordinator as a
shared position with Diamond Lake School District 76 for the next school year. The role would provide the District with a centralized system of proactive leadership, significantly enhancing campus protection. By consolidating emergency management, infrastructure oversight, and multi-jurisdictional coordination under one credentialed expert, the District ensures a unified and seamless response. The Board voted to approve the recommendation later in the meeting.
The District held an institute day on Friday, March 6, allowing staff the opportunity to engage in
another full day of learning and collaboration. Some of the highlights from the day
included a professional development session with literacy partner The Reading League, articulation between the preschool and kindergarten teams, all-school meetings, professional learning communities (PLC) sessions, and a presentation on Google Gemini AI.
The Following Action Items Were Approved:
- Intergovernmental Agreement with Diamond Lake School District 76 for Shared Services (Safety & Security Coordinator)
- 2026-27 Administrative & Licensed Staffing Plan
- 2026-27 School Year Middle School Field Trips
- Curriculum Recommendation: Kindergarten through Fifth Grade Literacy Resource
- Technology Purchase: Annual Refresh
- Technology Purchase: Fremont Middle School Cafeteria
- Resolution 26-15 Authorizing Disposal of District Property
- Resolution 26-16 Authorizing the Transfer from the Education Fund to the Capital Projects Fund
To view the Board Packet materials from the March 16, 2026, meeting, click here.
Fremont School District 79
Address: 28855 North Fremont Center Road, Mundelein, IL
Phone: (847) 566-0169
Website: fsd79.org
Instagram: @FSD79
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/fremont-school-district-79
YouTube: youtube.com/FSD79