Board Highlights

At the March 24 meeting, the district’s chief safety officer and senior director of communications and engagement provided an update on school safety and preparedness, including ongoing work related to immigration enforcement.

This update builds on feedback shared by community members in recent months. District leaders have taken time to review questions and concerns, assess current practices, and identify opportunities to strengthen support and communication.

As part of this work, the district has:

• Reviewed and reinforced existing safety protocols to ensure alignment with best practices;
  
  

• Redesigned the D97 Immigration Resource Page to be more accessible and family-friendly, including a streamlined layout, a “What Families Can Do Now” section, and a dedicated FAQ;
  
  

• Expanded communication efforts to provide clearer, more consistent information for families and staff
  
  

• Begun developing additional tools and resources to support front office staff in responding to questions and situations.

District leaders emphasized their continued commitment to maintaining safe, supportive, and welcoming school environments, and to ensuring families feel informed, prepared, and supported.

To view the full presentation, click the following links: Recording

During the March 24 meeting, the board of education approved staffing adjustments for the 2026–27 school year as part of the district’s annual staffing plan, including a reduction in force (RIF). While this is the first RIF in many years for the district, it is a common process used when staffing levels need to be adjusted due to enrollment changes, program shifts, or scheduling needs.

The staffing plan includes a reduction of 23.5 teaching positions. While many adjustments are being managed through attrition, a total of 8 teachers received formal RIF notifications. In addition, two central office administrative positions are being eliminated as part of a broader review of leadership structure to ensure alignment with current needs and how we support schools.

These changes are driven in part by enrollment patterns across the district, including areas where some course sections have very low enrollment. Aligning staffing helps ensure that resources are used effectively to support students.

Importantly, these adjustments are not expected to meaningfully impact students’ classroom experience. Core class sizes are projected to remain consistent with recent years, and academic programming and student supports will continue as planned.

The board received an update on the district’s developing 10-year Master Facilities Plan, which will guide investments in school buildings through 2035.

The plan is grounded in a comprehensive review of district facilities and reflects input from staff, principals, the district’s Facilities Advisory Committee (FAC), and the community. Priorities are focused on maintaining safe, functional learning environments while aligning with long-term operational and sustainability goals.

The draft plan includes:

• A phased approach addressing critical infrastructure needs, including roofs, mechanical systems and Health/Life Safety requirements.

• A prioritization framework that sequences work over time, with the most urgent needs addressed first.

• A proposed timeline that begins with Priority 1 and 2 projects from 2026 to 2030, followed by additional improvements through 2035.

• A commitment to using the district’s sustainability policy as a guiding principle when evaluating facility upgrades and long-term investments.

The board also reviewed recommendations from the Facilities Advisory Committee (FAC) and administration, which emphasize a balanced approach—addressing urgent needs while continuing to evaluate sustainability opportunities over time.

The Board will receive a financial update and provide feedback on the plan on April 14, with anticipated approval of the full Master Facilities Plan on April 28.