$40,500 Contract With Research Firm Approved By D-225 Board

GLENVIEW, IL — The Glenbrook District 225 Board of Education Monday approved spending at least $40,500 for an outside research firm to conduct surveys and other analysis, Pioneer Press reported. Hanover Research was selected based on recommendations from other area high school districts to study Glenbrook North, Glenbrook South as well as elementary feeder districts. The Arlington, Virginia-based company can ensure statistically valid electronic surveys and carried out a successful school calendar survey for New Trier High School earlier this year, Superintendent Mike Riggle told the board.

Administrators started looking for a company to survey the Glenbrook school community after the decision to delay possible changes to the school calendar, according to a memo from Riggle.

The scope of the work will not be limited to a calendar questions, but the terms of the agreement limit the research to one subject at a time.

Other potential topics for future study include school start times, homework, final exams, computer and space allocation, the degree of "belonging" to the school community and the effectiveness of district communication efforts, Riggle said.

The contract was approved by a 5-0 vote with two members absent – Karen Hanley and Marcelo Sztainberg, Pioneer Press reported.

The board also discussed a set of six district initiatives (below) and expected outcomes for the 2018-2019 school year.

At the board's Aug. 13 meeting, Riggle described it as an draft document "open for revision," according to the Glenview Announcements.

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2018-2019 District 225 Initiatives

• Wellness and Meaningful Work
  • Compare surveys of students and teachers about homework
  • Improve final evaluations
  • Adopt calendars through the 2020-2021 school year
  • Decide on a start time for next year
  • Measure effective of learning spaces pilot
• Life Safety Projects
  • Complete state-approved life safety projects by September 2019.
• Safety and Security facility enhancements
  • Finish of further improvements by September 2020
• Performance Opportunities in the Arts
  • Produce a comprehensive report by December 2018 identifying needs and concerns.
• Three-Year Budget Reduction Plan
  • Come up with a detailed action plan to cut expenditures over the next three years.
• Superintendent Selection Process
  • Hire a search form this month and select a new superintendent in December who will be in place by July 2019.

Related:

• Riggle To Retire During 2018-2019 School Year
• District 225 Approves New Teacher Contracts
• Glenbrook High Schools Hire Security Manager
• D-225 Board Approves Tentative $126M Budget