Gower 62 Community Newsletter

Click this link to listen to Simon Says as a Speechify-produced alternative.

My thoughts this month are split between the annual 5Essentials Survey which is a driving force behind our district's strategic plan and a leadership transition at Gower West Elementary School. Both of these topics are forward-leaning and future-oriented. They allow for growth and possibility; momentum and progress. It is not lost on me that these descriptions are aligned to the Year of the Horse which began earlier this week with the Lunar New Year, but harnessing such energy for favorable outcomes is not automatic. It takes intentional planning, purposeful collaboration, and thoughtful action. With that said, I encourage all of our Gower families to share your thoughts and make sure your voice is included in the 5Essentials Survey. For our Gower West families interested in participating more directly in the selection process of a new principal for next year, I encourage you to complete the interest form link shared below.

This year, the 5Essential survey window will close two weeks earlier, but that does not mean our goals have changed! We have a standing goal of at least 35% parent participation and ask that you complete the survey before the window closes on March 13th to ensure your voice is included. Remember, every child's experience is different so please submit a separate survey for EACH child you have enrolled in Gower School District! You can expect to receive a number of reminders from each of our schools over the next few weeks, but feel free to click here to take the survey now. If you happen to be at a youth event this weekend, share the QR code below with as many other Gower parents as you can!!!

On the topic of leadership transition at Gower West, Mrs. Capizzi's resignation as the Gower West principal was approved by the Board as part of last night's meeting. Although this resignation is not effective until the end of the school year, our Gower West families will notice that our Assistant Principal, Mrs. Hoff, will be focused on leading the day-to-day operations while Mrs. Capizzi will be focused on supporting the leadership transition and ensuring that an eventual handoff is carried out effectively. The process to select the next principal of Gower West is already underway. You can read the general description our district has posted below and I encourage you to reach out to me directly with any feedback you may have regarding the selection criteria or process being used. Successful candidates will be interviewed by a panel of administrators and teachers followed by a panel of Board members and Gower West parents. If you would like to be considered to take part in this parent panel, please click the following link: Parent Panel - Gower West Principal Selection Committee.

As always, if you would like to discuss this or any other Gower Community topic further, please reach out to me directly at vsimon@gower62.com.

With appreciation,

Dr. Simon

Superintendent of Schools

The Gower West Principal’s primary responsibility is to support the ongoing improvement of elementary education instruction and ensure a well-organized and high-functioning school for students in Pre-K through 4th grade. An effective Gower West Principal provides leadership, management and supervisory skills that promote learning and ongoing development for each student, while maintaining a high level of communication with all stakeholders. They understand the importance and value of building positive relationships with Gower West parents and families. They are stewards for learning – student learning, staff learning, and parent learning. They provide a clear vision, inspiration, energy and insight for all stakeholders in a welcoming, supportive, and high functioning school community. They are focused on building and sustaining a collaborative and professional work environment. They are knowledgeable and able to promote best practice, are catalysts of learning, and advocates of individual student growth and development with a whole child approach to learning. They are attentive to data driven decision-making, the change process, accountability, conflict resolution, team building through relationships, and a well-organized school. They have a set of beliefs and a skill set that guides the school in day-to-day operations to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of all students, staff, and families. The Gower West Principal is instrumental in the orchestration of a complex, dynamic, and collaborative learning community each and every day where students and student learning are always the central focus. The vast majority of the Gower West Principal’s time will be spent on improving curriculum, instruction, assessments and student learning and supporting annual school and district performance goals while maintaining a supportive environment for students.

If you would like to be considered to take part in this parent panel, please click the following link: Parent Panel - Gower West Principal Selection Committee.

If you have feedback about this job description or the principal selection process, please contact the Superintendent directly, Dr. Victor Simon at vsimon@gower62.com.

Recording Secretary to the Board of Education, Kate Schillinger, 630.286.4929

Click here for the monthly Superintendent Reports and here for our meeting agendas.

Regular Board Meeting Summary: The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. and there was no public comment from the community. The Board saluted the Varsity Girls Basketball team on their IESA Regional and Sectional Championship wins. The team was presented with certificates by Principal Murphy to recognize their accomplishment and they were congratulated by the Board.

The meeting continued with the monthly Superintendent's Report. The Superintendent's Report included separate reports on the Mid-Year Student Performance Data (Appendix A), the Proposed Student Fees for 2026-2027 (Appendix B), and the 2025-2026 9th Annual High School Transition Student Survey (Appendix C).

The Board reviewed a series of monthly reports and several Board policy revisions were approved as part of a 4-year revision cycle. The Board also took action on several personnel items, including approving the resignation of Gower West Principal Melissa Capizzi, effective June 30th, 2026; Dr. Jackelyn Cadard will continue as the District's Director of Special Education with a three-year contract through June 30, 2029, and an extension to the contract for Mr. Brian Riegler, the District's Director of Finance and Operations, was also approved that will extend through June 30, 2031. Finally, the Board approved the 2026-2027 Student Registration and Bus Fees, and the 2026-2027 School Calendar has been finalized and approved. You can find next year's calendar and the draft calendar for 2027-2028 here.

The Board did enter an Executive (closed) session at 8:29 p.m. with the purpose of discussing "Other matters relating to individual students." 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(10) and"The employment, compensation, and performance of specific employees." 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1). There was no additional action taken after the Board returned to open session at 9:23 p.m. other than adjourning the meeting at 9:23 p.m.

The next regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting is scheduled for March 18, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. in the Gower School District Board Room, Gower West, south end of campus Door #B22. As always, you are invited to attend and share your thoughts and feedback with the Board.

Congratulations to the Gower Middle Varsity Girls Basketball team! They made it to the 8th Grade State Tournament for the first time in school history after winning the IESA Regional and Sectional championships. You can read more here.

Team Members: Suraya Alnass, Kayla Brewster, Hailey Cruz, Emilia Janulis, Victoria LeBlanc, Brianna Liang, Nadia Malik, Milica Obradovic, Lane Smith, Sutton Tokarz.

There's still time to share your thoughts on the CNH Subarea at 6900 Veterans Blvd. The survey remains open for residents who want to weigh in on this important area of our community. What matters to you? Traffic patterns? Green space? Building appearance? The survey gives you space to share your priorities and ideas. Whether you attended the February 4th visioning workshop or are learning about this for the first time, your perspective adds value. The feedback gathered will inform the master plan recommendation presented to the Village Board. Learn more about the Comprehensive Plan update here.