$17M State Mandate Intends To Improve Northbrook District 27 Schools

NORTHBROOK, IL — Following a recent Health-Life Safety report that identified nearly $17 million in state-mandated improvements that it is required to address, Northbrook School District 27 is seeking input from the community.

District officials tell Patch the following three sessions will be held over the course of the next week:

• 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3 at Hickory Point School, 500 Laburnum Drive, Northbrook
• 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at Wood Oaks Junior High School, 1250 Sanders Road, Northbrook
• 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9 (Virtual Zoom webinar) – Register HERE)

"During the meetings, we will share information about our school district, the many successes our students have achieved, and the challenges we face maintaining and improving our schools with limited state and federal revenue," the district said in an email to Patch. "We have compiled a 'menu' of potential individual projects, potential funding mechanisms, and potential funding levels, and we want to get your opinions on each of them."

The district said responses to the feedback forms at the end of the meetings will help "determine our path forward."

District 27 consists of Hickory Point (kindergarten through 2nd), Shabonee Elementary (grades 3rd through 5th), and Wood Oaks Junior High School (grades 6th through 8th). Last month, Hickory Point and Shabonee received an exemplary (highest rating) from the annual Illinois Report Card. Wood Oaks received a commendable grade.

"At Northbrook School District 27, we are educating students to succeed in a changing world," the district said. "Our district has a long-standing tradition of excellence in education. We are continuously striving to improve."

Officials said to maintain a healthy financial position, the district has "extended the life expectancy" of all facilities and grounds, while spending within its means.

"However, to maintain small class sizes while providing our students and teachers with learning environments that support high achievement, we will need additional funding," the district said.

Officials said significantly increasing construction costs, along with limited support from state and federal sources, has led to the district needing additional funding. They estimate local funding makes up 94 percent of its budget, compared to the state average of 64 percent.

For more information on the sessions, visit nb27.org/community-engagement.

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