District 2:25 Update

District 2:25 Update

Timely news from Glenbrook High School District 225.

District launches e-newsletter as part of communications commitment

This issue marks the first edition of the new electronic publication, District 2:25 Update. The purpose is to provide timely information from the most recent Board of Education meeting and may also feature district news, committee actions and links to additional articles. The coverage will highlight major items from the meeting, but is not intended to provide a full outline of all agenda items or replace the official Board minutes.

The district intends to distribute this e-newsletter within 48 hours of each regular Board meeting, which occur once or twice a month.

The district hopes this information is valuable to the school community, however, recipients may safely unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the link in the footer of this email called "SafeUnsubscribe."

Administration presents district initiatives to help guide the 2011-12 school year

The Board of Education received a recommendation during a presentation by the administration to implement district goals and initiatives to be completed during the 2011-12 school year.

"The goals and initiatives presented tonight are intended to focus on improvement as a district during the coming school year," said Superintendent Dr. Mike Riggle. "As always, the district and schools will complete extensive work this year to improve beyond what state and federal mandates require of us."

The plan presented to the Board includes numerous tasks designed to accomplish a total of 12 high-level goals. The goals are divided into targeted categories that include curriculum, employee relations, environmental, financial, organizational planning, public relations/communications, strategic vision, and technology.

Board discusses new communications policy

The proposed policy is intended to provide a philosophy for the district public relations and communications program. It also identifies the strategies to be used by staff in communicating with the school community.

The need for this policy was identified as part of the communications audit, conducted last winter. View first draft - Policy 9300

Board of Education

Calendar

Regular Board Meeting

Sept. 12, 7 p.m. @ GBS

Regular Board Meeting

Sept. 26, 7 p.m. @ GBS

Summer summary

Board approves tentative budget for 2011-12

At a meeting on July 25, the Glenbrook High School District 225 Board of Education approved the tentative 2011-12 budget. As part of the process, the Board also reviewed the 2010-11 fiscal year.

The 2011-12 budget projects $98,585,052 in revenues and $97,935,260 in expenditures. Based on the tentative budget for 2011-12, the District forecasts an Operating Fund balance of $65.2 million as of June 30, 2012. This represents an operating reserve of 63.7%. The current Board-established policy requires a minimum of 33% in fund balance reserves.

"District taxpayers expect us to be fiscally conservative," said Board President Skip Shein. "Strong fund balances are necessary to maintain our stability as we face future challenges such as increasing student enrollment and potential decreases in state and federal funding."

Construction finishes on time and on budget

Summer construction projects at both Glenbrook North and Glenbrook South high schools were completed on time and on budget.

The projects at Glenbrook South included tennis court resurfacing, installing new student lockers, asbestos abatement, replacing the flooring in the fieldhouse and other mechanical projects such as installing various air-handling units. At Glenbrook North, the flooring in the fieldhouse was also replaced and additional baskets have been added. In addition, new bathrooms were constructed in the back hallway of the main gym.

Several mechanical issues were also addressed such as replacing windows, air handling units, heaters and a dated hot water boiler. A significant part of the projects focused on replacing mechanical systems at both schools with more energy efficient models. These models are expected to result in significant cost savings to District 225.

The building improvements are part of a $94 million referendum passed in Nov. 2006. The final $10 million in bonds were issued last year, with approximately $7.7 million utilized for these projects.

Consent agenda: Regular actions such as appointments, resignations, FOIA, vendor bills, minutes, gifts, etc. are approved during the consent agenda. To view supporting documentation (when available) and the official meeting minutes, please visit the school board section of our website. Please note, official minutes are available after Board approval the following meeting.