D75 Spotlight Newsletter
May 22, 2026
Dr. Corey Tafoya, Superintendent, Districts 75 and 120
Last year at this time, I was preparing to begin serving as your superintendent. In all these months since then, I have been impressed with this staff, these students, and this community.
There wasn’t just one thing that stood out to me; rather, it was the cumulative spirit of everything connected to our schools. Sure, there were many great moments - the grand opening of the new stage at Carl Sandburg, the celebration of Mechanics Grove’s Legacy award, and the nominations of seven staff members for Educator of the Year.
But there were also numerous smaller moments throughout the year. The stories of teachers going above and beyond to help students, the support our staff gives to one another, and the community support of our programs and events.
While all of these moments together have impacted my perspective of the amazing people in District 75, they have also had a wonderful impact on our students.
The results tell the story. Many see it when they visit our schools and see our students in action. Anyone who has been to concerts at Carl Sandburg, Math Night at Washington, or Leadership Day at Mechanics Grove would know what I mean.
But the numbers tell a deeper story. Our academic programs have helped us consistently improve those numbers across all our schools.
During the 2025-26 school year, five out of six grade levels increased (from 4 to 13 percent) the number of students who are proficient or highly proficient in English Language Arts (ELA). Four of the six grade levels surpassed the state’s proficiency growth in ELA.
In math, five of six grade levels increased (from 1 to 10 percent) the number of students who are proficient. And four of the six grade levels surpassed the state’s growth in math proficiency. Most importantly, notable increases were made in third and fourth grade, which is where math trajectories are set.
We’re definitely on our way and pointed in the right direction!
This is exciting news for all who are hoping for great things for the students of District 75. And while we have an extra-long summer ahead, I look forward to continuing to celebrate the many amazing things our kids will accomplish in the coming year.
Thanks to everyone who has played a role in our students’ education this year. Your dedication and support have not gone unnoticed.
MG named to elite group of Legacy Schools
The rest of the world is starting to realize what Mundelein parents already know: Mechanics Grove Elementary School has an amazing leadership program that is rarely matched.
Mechanics Grove was presented with the coveted Legacy award among FranklinCovey’s Leader In Me Schools, an elite level only reached by 34 other schools worldwide. Since 2011, MG has been one of 8,500 Leader In Me Schools throughout the world and for the past 11years, the school has held “Lighthouse” status in the program.
The Legacy award acknowledges a school that is a global example of excellence in leadership, culture and academics. It puts the school among the “best of the best,” according to MG Principal Tanya Fergus, who credited her entire staff for reaching this level.
Carl Sandburg Opens New Stage Addition
Carl Sandburg Middle School staff, students and families celebrated the opening of its new addition on April 28 with a ribbon cutting ceremony and a student musical performance on its new stage.
The event was held nearly a year after the school hosted a Groundbreaking Ceremony to open the project. The $7 million project, which finished on-time and within its budget, offers Mundelein Elementary District 75 students the opportunity to perform on not only the newest, but possibly the finest middle school stage in Lake County.
““This project was born of a deep-seeded belief that our students deserve a dedicated space to shine. We are now able to give our award-winning theater, music and fine arts programs a home worthy of their excellence,” said Dr. Corey Tafoya, Superintendent of Districts 75 and 120.
Board News & Notes
Monthly Cybersecurity Plan Report
Representatives from Net56, the District’s technology consultant, presented its first monthly cybersecurity plan report. At this point, the consultant is establishing a framework to identify high-priority risks, improve documentation, and establish a reliable asset inventory. The report provided the first clear picture of the district’s cybersecurity environment, allowing Net56 to see where attention is needed so it can move forward with confidence and structure.
Shared Services Allocation and Intergovernmental Agreements - Board Approved
The Board adopted updates to the Shared Service Intergovernmental Agreements. Since fiscal year 2018, the shared services model has generated approximately $4.5 million in cumulative savings for reinvestment back into District 75, demonstrating significant financial and operational benefits. The Board approved the shared services allocation plan for the 2026-27 school year as well as two intergovernmental agreements, one addressing universal sharing of shared service employees and the other for the sharing of student records/data between Districts 75 and 120.
Jill Buttita, Mechanics Grove
Lilian Quint, Carl Sandburg
Nancy Hanson, Washington
Vickie Czapla, Washington
Amanda Garcia, Washington
Ernie Daye, Mechanics Grove
Jill Unger, District Office
Sarah Duncan, Carl Sandburg
D75 nominees
CSMS teacher honored with Music Award
“Moulee really has the Midas touch. Everything she puts her mind into turns out wonderful,” said CSMS Principal Andrew Vondran. “She always makes so much out of what she is given.”
Anne Craig
Carol Holck
Lisa Shirley
Jennifer Remekis
Washington Paraprofessional
Winning essays shine light on teachers
Carl Sandburg eighth-grader Angel Carrillo called his teacher, Elizabeth Gomez, “the most caring teacher I’ve ever had.” And sixth-grader Brandon Bulka said his teacher, Matt Fink, helped him change “from a nervous sixth grader into a much more confident person.”
The two students wrote winning entries in an essay contest about teachers, sponsored by Illinois State Senator Darby Hills.
Students read and critique peers' works in Young Authors program
Sitting upright at a desk, leaning back in a chair or sprawling out on the floor, the students made themselves as comfortable as possible as they spent a day reading - and judging - written entries in the Young Authors Program at Carl Sandburg Middle School.
About 57 students from sixth, seventh and eighth grade entered a written piece. Another 24 students volunteered to serve as judges, reading and critiquing the entries using a rubric based on category. Entries ranged from poetry to short stories to narratives.
The student judges said they enjoyed spending much of their day reading and exploring the ideas other students came up with.
