D28 Board Update July 2025

In his Superintendent's Report at the July 22 Board of Education meeting, Dr. Jason Pearson shared that plans are moving ahead for the construction of the gymnasium at Meadowbrook School. Crews are expected to break ground on the gym in mid-August, as part of the district's $94.9 million bond initiative that was approved by the community last spring. District leaders will meet with the architects over the next few weeks to more clearly define the project plans at all schools. An update will be provided at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting on August 26.

• August 2025: Meadowbrook gymnasium construction begins

• March 2026: Meadowbrook gymnasium completed & construction of the new Meadowbrook School begins

• April - June 2026: NBJH, Westmoor & Greenbriar construction begins
  
• Feb. - April 2027: NBJH, Westmoor, & Greenbriar Phase 1 construction completed
  
• August 2027: New Meadowbrook School completed
• February 2028: Greenbriar Phase 2 completed

Prior to its regular Board meeting on July 22, the Board held its annual Committee of the Whole meeting to discuss the FY26 budget. Approximately 85% of Northbrook 28's revenue comes from local property taxes. The balance comes from corporate personal property replacement taxes, other local sources, state grants, and federal programs.

The district serves approximately 1,800 students from early childhood through eighth grade, and employs 429.5 full-time staff. The district's spending can be divided into the following areas:

• Education: $48.2 million

• Operations & Maintenance: $3.3 million

• Debt Service: $6.3 million

• Transportation: $2.4 million
• IMRF/Social Security: $1.7 million
• Capital Projects: $26.6 million

A public hearing on the proposed budget will take place at the Sept. 30 Board meeting. Following the hearing, the Board is anticipated to approve the final budget.

• Click here to view the budget overview by Chief School Business Official Jessica Donato
• Click here to view the Draft Budget

At the July 22 Board meeting, the Board of Education approved the appointment of the following certified personnel for the 2025-26 school year:

Ms. Brown earned a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Loyola University.

Laura Coan, Speech Language Pathologist at Westmoor

Ms. Coan earned a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Northwestern University. She previously worked as a Speech Language Pathologist at the Chicago Speech and Reading Center.

Lauren Gleason, Speech Language Pathologist at NBJH

Ms. Gleason earned a master's degree in Speech Language Pathology from Marquette University. She previously worked as a Speech Language Pathologist in Elmwood Park School District 401.

Ms. Grazutis earned a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Northern Illinois University. She previously worked as a Spanish Teacher in Des Plaines School District 62.

Ms. Hope earned an Education Specialist degree and a master's degree in Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She previously worked as a School Psychologist in Lake Zurich School District 95.

Elena Longman, Speech Pathologist at Westmoor

Ms. Longman earned a master's degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Illinois. She previously worked as a Speech Language Pathologist for the TrueNorth Education Cooperative.

Ms. McCracken earned a master's degree in Teaching from James Madison University. She previously worked as an Instructional Coach for the International School of Curitiba (Brazil).

Ms. Samuels earned a master's degree in Teaching & Learning from National Louis University. She previously worked as a 3rd Grade Teacher for Northbrook School District 27.

Alice Seay, Library Media Specialist at NBJH

Ms. Seay earned a master's degree from National Louis University. She previously worked as a Library Assistant at NBJH, as well as a Teacher and Literacy Coach in the district.

Livestream/Archive Video

The Board of Education meetings are live-streamed on the District 28's YouTube Channel. The live streams are also archived for later viewing.

Next Meeting is on August 26

The Board of Education's next regular meeting is at 7 p.m. on August 26 in the HOH Community Room at the District Office, 1475 Maple Ave., Northbrook.