Click the links to the right to view the presentations made at each Board Meeting this summer. There is a special meeting scheduled for August 15, 2024 in the event the Board wishes to place a referendum question on the November 2024 ballot.
May - August 2024
The following series of presentations were made during the Board Meetings between May and August 2024. These articulated the process of review and investigation into solutions to support District 23's goals in both the short and long term:
May 2024 Board Meeting - Following a collaborative Administrative and Board workshop, this presentation was made to reaffirm the District's needs and priorities. At this meeting, the Board directed the administration to research three options, presenting recommendations for their consideration.
June 2024 Board Meeting - The Administration presented options for a smaller addition at Eisenhower School in response to the previous referendum losses. The recommendation for this option is for a 6 classroom addition that provides room for Full-Day Kindergarten and specialist offices, renovations to the library, relocation of the main office, and a new parking lot. In addition, the recommendation includes safety and security enhancements, and repair and maintenance across the District. The projected cost for this referendum is $352 a year for a $350,000 home. This is a REDUCTION OF ~$100 per year from our previous amount.
July 2024 Board Meeting - The Administration presented options for relocating the Early Childhood classrooms to create space at Eisenhower for Full-Day Kindergarten. The recommendation for this option would be renovating 6 classrooms at MacArthur Middle School to accommodate the Early Childhood Program Needs, a new parking lot at Eisenhower, and limited repair and maintenance at MacArthur. The projected cost for this referendum is $243 a year for a $350,000 home. This is a REDUCTION OF ~$200 per year from our previous amount.
August 2024 Board Meeting - The Administration will present options for partnerships to lease or co-own property to provide space for the Early Childhood program.
August 15, 2024 Board Meeting - The Administration will provide a recommendation for short and long-term options. After deliberation and discussion, the Board may decide to place a referendum question on the ballot for November.
April 14, 2024
On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank all of the volunteers who supported our referendum efforts in March. While we are disappointed by the final results, we continue to be encouraged by the growing understanding of the needs we face and the solutions we’ve proposed.
We respect the voice of the community and thank everyone who voted in the past election. Losing by 9% tells us that we are close, but still need to do more to gain the support of many in our community.
As a Board, we have a responsibility to address the immediate needs of the District, while also being good stewards for the future of our Community. To that end, we will continue to pursue parallel paths to address the facility, security, and programming needs of the District. Our needs are clear and they are not going away. The Full Day Kindergarten mandate will be in effect by 2027, so we must continue to problem-solve now for the future.
We will review our options and potential modifications to our plans and discuss a referendum or other solutions over the next few months. If we decide to place a question on the November ballot to address our long-term needs, we will need to approve a resolution by this coming August.
At the same time, we will continue to move forward using our limited available funding to address those portions of our plan that are our top priority and within our means. We are proud of the security upgrades we have implemented, including a modernized and expanded camera monitoring system.
We are also excited about the construction planned for this summer. The work at Betsy Ross, Anne Sullivan, and the Grodsky Administration building represents the first phase of construction that will replace outdated and inefficient siding, windows, and doors, protecting the building envelope for the next 25 years.
We are grateful to Senator Gillespie and Representative Canty for their advocacy that has contributed over $400,000 toward this capital project. As we continue to engage our community regarding these enhancements, we remain committed to fiscal responsibility and long-range planning.
click on the links to learn more about the Building a Better D23 Plan
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Learn more about improving security, maintaining facilities, and enhancing education.
How will this impact your taxes?
Click HERE to use the Tax Calculator to generate an estimated tax impact based on the value of your home.
If your question is not included in the FAQs please submit it to Dr. Angelaccio, District Superintendent.
District 23 is unable to serve 35% of the Pre-K and Kindergarten students who live within its boundaries. Due to space constraints, some services are being delivered in the library at Eisenhower School. Adding classrooms will alleviate current overcrowding and allow ALL D23 students the opportunity to attend an Early Childhood Pre-K program and full-day Kindergarten in the District.
Keeping students and staff safe is the District's highest priority. The proposed plan includes creating a secure entrance at Eisenhower School, reconfiguring traffic flow to separate buses and pedestrians, and installing additional security cameras. Replacement of doors and windows at our schools will enhance a secure perimeter.
Property taxes are the main source of revenue for District 23. The District maintains low fund balances (cash on hand). This means that D23 does not have the means to improve the schools without issuing taxpayer approved bonds. Learn more about the District's finances and planning.
In addition to enhancing District security, the replacement of doors, windows and siding at our schools will enhance energy efficiency, improve functionality, and expedite much needed repairs. Protecting taxpayers' investment in District 23 facilities will extend the life of buildings, improve energy efficiency, and reduce costly emergency repairs.
Dec. 14, 2023 - Update District 23 Board Approves a Ballot Measure to Fund School Improvements
The Prospect Heights School District 23 Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution to place a referendum question on the March 19, 2024, ballot. After a narrow referendum defeat in the Spring of 2023, the District has followed parallel paths in continuing to respond to its identified facility needs while planning for its future programming needs. Utilizing District funds, some security enhancements have been completed and Summer facility work is planned for Betsy Ross Elementary, Anne Sullivan Elementary, and the Grodsky Administration Building.
Recent Illinois legislation now requires all public school districts to provide full-day Kindergarten before the 2027-28 school year, further emphasizing the need in District 23.
Four community information events will be held in Prospect Heights so all residents can have the opportunity to learn and ask questions about the proposed improvements to the District’s schools.
Wednesday, January 17, 2024 - 5:00 pm Eisenhower School 1 N. Schoenbeck Rd.
Thursday, February 1, 2024 - 6:00 pm Anne Sullivan School 700 N. Schoenbeck Rd.
Monday, February 12, 2024 - 6:00 pm Eisenhower School 1 N. Schoenbeck Rd.
Saturday, March 2, 2024 - 9:00 am Eisenhower School 1 N. Schoenbeck Rd.
The election will be held on March 19, 2024. There will be a single ballot question to fund building improvements and the operating costs associated with enhanced kindergarten and early childhood education programming.
Nov. 10, 2023 - Update
At the Nov. 9 Board meeting, District 23 Administration made a recommendation to move forward with placing a question on the ballot for the March 19, 2024 election. The presentation may be viewed HERE. The Board of Education will deliberate and vote on this recommendation at the December 14 Board of Education Meeting.