Update on Educational Master Facility Plan (EMFP): Future Ready D36
Future Ready D36 (EMFP)
Update-Recap of School Board Work Session on December 10
On December 10, 2018, the School Board finalized priority facilities projects for a spring 2019 referendum and reviewed total cost and associated tax impacts to address needs and components of the long-range Educational Master Facility Plan (EMFP).
Supported by Dr. Trisha Kocanda, Superintendent, and members from Pepper Construction and DLR Group. the Board reviewed major projects identified for each school along with requested reductions to the gym addition and renovation options in lieu of a new library resource center (addition), both at Crow Island. The proposed projects would cost approximately $100.6 million.
In consultation with Tammie Beckwith Schallmo and Bob Lewis of PMA Securities, Inc., the Board confirmed financing assumptions and the intention to use $10 million dollars of reserves from the General Fund to offset the total project cost and reduce the overall tax impact to District residents. If approved by the community, the proposed facilities plan would increase taxes over the current bond obligation-tax levy by approximately $276 annually per $1 million of property value.
In preparation for approving ballot resolutions at the December 18, 2018 School Board Meeting, Board members reviewed draft ballot resolution language as presented by Anjali Vij, bond counsel from Chapman and Cutler LLP. Ballot resolutions must be approved no later than January 14, 2019 in order to meet required deadlines for an April 2, 2019 election.
Mr. Steve Richart of HLERK, LLP, provided a legal perspective on permitted and prohibited referenda campaign actions and law that supports specific activity and obligation to inform the electorate in advance of any referendum.
Ms. Kate Hughes, Communications Coordinator, was joined by referenda communication specialist, Jill Huskisson, providing a summary of communications and outreach initiatives that will be finalized following Board approval of resolutions. The Plan calls for fact-based materials and broad community opportunity to learn about the proposed facilities plan beginning in mid-January.
Mr. Goldstein concluded the meeting with a review of the Architect Request For Qualification (RFQ) and timeline. He thanked community architects and advisors for providing review of the RFQ and guidance to the process that will be used to select a firm(s) by April 2019.
Redistricting
Winter MAP Testing
We are approaching our second testing window for the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) test, which will take place between
January 14 - 25, 2018
. Your child's school or teacher will inform you of his or her specific testing dates.
Similar to the fall, all students in Grades 3 - 8 will take one Reading Test and one Math test. MAP is a computer-adaptive test, which means every student receives a unique set of test questions based on responses to previous questions. This provides a personalized assessment experience by adapting to each student's learning level. The purpose of the second testing session is to provide teachers with midyear progress data that will help inform their instruction as they move forward into the school year. Student Reports are sent home at the end of the school year with fall to spring growth measures. Additional information on the MAP assessment may be found on our district website at
www.winnetka36.org/map
.
Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten pre-registration for 2019-2020 is now open. Children who will be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2019, are eligible to enroll. The District's Kindergarten Committee and Central PTO unanimously approved shifting to an online process versus an on-site process. This shift minimizes the time needed to pre-register and respects the busy schedules of our families.
The Registration process is completed in two steps:
-
Complete an online pre-registration form
-
Provide proof of residency (documents can be uploaded online): child(ren)'s original birth certificate and a parent photo ID will need to be provided in person. Opportunities to do so will be made available in Spring 2019.
The list of documents that will meet these requirements is here:
https://www.winnetka36.org/parents/prospectivefamilies
If you have any questions, please contact the District Office at
847-446-9400
.
Winnetka Public Schools Foundation Annual Report
Thank you, Winnetka Public Schools Foundation, for the incredible opportunities you continue to provide for our students!
