THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008
Next Dist. 62 Review Of Master Planning Monday
Des Plaines Elementary School Dist. 62 will update the school board on its master planning process Monday night.
School spokeswoman Mindy Ward told the Journal the master planning process seeks to bring the school district forward in areas of curriculum and facilities.
Preliminary planning for the project has been ongoing for over one year.
The district has sent 24,000 newsletters to residents seeking feedback on the process.
Community forums were held in December and April with another scheduled for Wednesday, June 18 at Chippewa Middle School at 7 p.m.
The Master Planning Steering Committee will analyze feedback from the forums, focus groups and online and hard copy surveys, and present formal recommendations to the school board in July.
Ward said close to 500 people, from boards, committees and focus groups have been involved in the process. She added that this process usually precedes a referendum where districts ask voters for more money.
Ward said plans are for Dist. 62 to complete improvements without going to voters for more money. She would not absolutely rule out a referendum, saying the district is currently studying what parents and the community want. Ward said school buildings in the district are 20 to 30 years old and there is a need to take a hard look at the needs of the district going forward.
Costs for the Master Plan could not be calculated until the board gives a mandate after digesting feedback from the community.