D-36 Plans To Shutter Skokie School After Remodeling Washburne

WINNETKA, IL — A plan to keep upgraded neighborhood elementary schools and consolidate students in grades 5 through 8 into a single campus was unanimously approved last week by the Winnetka Public Schools District 36 School Board following an 18-month process of community engagement.

The approval of a 10-year facilities master plan sets the stage for a referendum in April 2019. The final plan and ballot resolutions must be adopted by the board by Jan. 14, 2019 in order to make it onto the ballot.

The plan would add sixth and seventh grade classes to Carleton Washburne. It envisions shuttering Skokie School after renovations on Carleton Washburne are complete, which are expected to take up to five years.

“We are extremely grateful for the many ways parents, staff, and community members have dedicated time and expertise to help the board reach this decision," said Superintendent Trisha Kocanda and Board President Kristen Hertel, in a joint statement. "We would especially like to acknowledge those who served on the core team to help the district address complex challenges and determine wise solutions.”

Chief Finance Officer Brad Goldstein said the district does not intend to demolish the Skokie School because of its value to the community, according to Pioneer Press. The board may consider leasing it to the Winnetka Park District or another organization or decommission it and shut it down. Goldstein said the district plans to "maintain it as inexpensively as possible."

The Georgian-style building was constructed in 1921 and is an expensive structure to maintain, according to the board. Administrators said future of the building will be evaluated after upgrades to Carleton Washburne are complete. Renovations necessary to reconfigure school buildings into new divisions – kindergarten to grade 4 and grades 5 through 8 – would cost between $100 million and $133 million, Winnetka Talk reported.

The district plans to prioritize health, safety and security projects, better disabled access, improvements to indoor temperature and air quality, modernized spaces including multi-purpose cafeteria and gym spaces and improves to water pipes and electrical systems. The highest priority items in the master plan are student-centric design, sustainable operations and sustainable planning for air quality, according to the district.

Also as part of the master plan, a redistricting proposal will be drawn up before summer 2019 to work out changes to attendance boundaries for the district's elementary schools and to establish a timeline to move toward "optimal enrollments" and eliminate the short-term kindergarten plan.

The board will discuss how to divide up the work into multiple phases at a board work session Nov. 12 and a meeting Nov. 27, and resolutions could be approved at meetings on Dec. 18 or Jan. 14.

More info:

• Educational Master Facility Plan
• Master Plan Overview
• School Facilities Survey (September 2017)

Winnetka District 36 School Board Approves Educational Facilities Master Plan at Oct. 23 Meeting: