Volume 24, No. 11 | Friday May 28, 2021
News from the May 25, 2021 meeting
Planning for Next School Year Comes Into Focus
As the final days of 2020-21 school year are ticked off the calendar, plans for the coming school year are well underway.
 
The Illinois State Board of Education May 19 approved a resolution supporting in-person learning for all attendance days of the 2021-22 school year. Principals are mapping out classrooms and furniture with 3-foot distancing and working on schedules to bring as much normalcy back to the school day as possible.
 
Dr. Hewitt said the state still needs to clarify some specifics relating to medical certifications required for remote learning. Other uncertainties remain as the public health metrics continue to change, the possibility that a vaccine will be available for younger children, and as more children 12 and older receive the vaccine.
 
When the district surveyed parents earlier in May regarding their enrollment choice for next year, 11 elementary students and six junior high students indicated they would require remote learning for health reasons. Dr. Hewitt said other township districts had similarly small numbers of families electing remote learning. The district will continue to monitor state board and health department regulations and guidelines over the summer to determine the impact on school operations for the fall.
DEI Statement to Help Shape District's Work
A Diversity, Equity and Inclusion statement will become part of the district’s strategic plan and help guide curriculum, practices and procedures.
 
The statement was developed by a committee of teachers and administrators who worked over the past school year with Alison Park of Blink Consulting, a specialist in diversity, equity and inclusion strategic planning. Additional input was gathered from volunteer staff and parents to further refine it.
 
This statement will be woven into the existing goals of the district’s strategic plan: student growth & achievement; learning environment; work environment; family & community connections and resources.
 
“Diversity, equity and inclusion are about all of us,” said Dr. Larry Hewitt, superintendent. “We want everyone to see themselves in this statement.”
 
The DEI vision and mission will be the focus of professional learning and discussions this summer for staff. The statement will be used as part of curriculum adoption work and creating learning opportunities for the benefit of all children.
 
“This is a journey, not just items we can check off a list. DEI is about learning and growing, which is everyone’s responsibility.” Dr. Hewitt said.
Dr. Hewitt to Retire in 2022
Superintendent Dr. Larry Hewitt announced he will retire at the end of the 2021-22 school year.
 
The announcement provides an ample timeframe for the Board of Education to conduct a search for his successor. Dr. Hewitt is currently in his 14th year as District 28’s superintendent.
 
“There is a lot of work yet to do. I’m very excited about reopening schools and getting back to at least 95% normal this fall,” Dr. Hewitt said. “This is an amazing district and we will continue to do great work.”
 
Board President Tracy Katz Muhl said the board will discuss the search process at a future meeting.
Finance
Federal Funds Help Offset Pandemic Expenses
The district is receiving $577,735 in three federal grants targeting pandemic relief since March 2020, Chief School Business Official Jessica Donato reported.
 
The funding helps offset costs of Personal Protect Equipment supplies, professional development, curricular supports and digital materials for both remote learning and in-person learning. The most recent grant, which was the largest at $371,517, will be used to fund a Getting Ready Camp being offered this summer for the first time to help students prepare for the school year. The latest grant will also be used for classroom furniture needed to maximize social distancing with most students attending in-person, for social and emotional learning, and other curricular supports as well as PPE.
 
The district spent about $1.3 million in additional expenses this year to operate schools in the pandemic. The majority of that cost was for additional staff related to reduced class sizes due to physical distancing and the Remote Learning Academy.
New Staff 2021-22
Five Hired for 2021-22 School Year
Five educators were hired to fill positions open due to retirement or vacancy.
  • Josh Albers – NBJH Physical Education
  • Laura Cohen – NBJH Gifted Coordinator
  • Sarah Gusewelle – NBJH Spanish
  • Mackenzie McGrath – NBJH Physical Education
  • Madeline Schwartz – NBJH Social Worker
Want to Know More?
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 June 22
The Board of Education will resume in-person meetings in June at Northbrook Junior High. The meeting will be held following health and safety protocols. The meetings will continue to be live-streamed on the District 28 YouTube channel. The next regular meeting of the Board of Education is scheduled for 7 p.m. on June 22.