SD8engage Newsletter Summer 2020

SD81engage News from our Learning Community SUMMER 2020

Preparing for a New Washington School

government representatives this spring to present Senate Bill 1937, approving District 81’s debt limit extension.

The governor signed the bill in late June, allowing planning to begin in earnest.

Because of the current bond market conditions, the District was able to structure the bonds to be paid off 4 years earlier than anticipated (now 23 years instead of 27 years), which results in an interest savings over the duration of the bonds of roughly $4.3 million.

March 17th, 2020 election results show support for a new facility Voters responded with a 61.7% show of support to build a new Washington School. The current facility is in need of extensive repairs and lifesafety work. Construction will begin in June 2021, with an estimated completion date of June 2023. Learning will continue in the current facility through the duration of construction. The estimated cost of the project will not exceed $30 million, and the District will issue bonds to fund it. Investment of the bond proceeds has tentatively been scheduled for August 13th, 2020.

District 81 will share plans and updates at www.sd81.org and our Facebook page.

Preliminary plans and financials can be found on the website now.

Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Kimberly Boryszewski worked with local and state 1

IN THIS ISSUE:

Washington School

Preparations for the new Washington School are underway Remote Learning

Connecting through the COVID-19 pandemic SD81 Heroes

Recognizing the District’s remarkable learning community District 81 Finances

District 81 receives highest ratings possible in the State of Illinois Leading through Challenge

Messages from Dr. Boryszewski and the Board of Education

SUMMER 2020

District 81 Meets the Challenges of COVID-19

REMOTE LEARNING

The School District 81 learning community faced an unprecedented challenge this past spring when forced to finish the school year remotely. The District’s administration and teachers moved rapidly to develop instructional programs that would keep students engaged and connected. The success of remote learning in District 81 was possible largely in part of the leadership provided by District administration, the innovation and dedication of District 81 educators, and SD81’s historical commitment to using educational technology to enhance learning. The District also recognizes students and their families for their remarkable adaptability in moving to a remote learning platform and for the sacrifices they have made due to COVID-19. Signs placed at the homes of each student and two drive-by parades with help from the Schiller Park and Franklin Park police departments were organized so students could see how much they were missed, and to give the community a few moments of joy and hope. The District was delighted to see so many residents waving from doorways and windows with smiles on their faces.

The health threat of COVID-19 is not yet behind us, and the SD81 administration continues to work diligently with the e-learning committee on plans for the new school year that will best serve and protect our students, their families, and District faculty and staff. The reopening plan offers families a full remote learning option or a blended model of in-person and remote learning.

Details of these plans can be found by visiting www.sd81.org.

OUR SD81 HEROES Thank you to these District 81 heroes who have made taking care of our students their top priority! The District continues to provide between 350-400 students daily meals throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Our cafeteria staff prepares the meals and our maintenance crew delivers them to families who cannot travel to pick them up. They have come to work smiling and ready to serve our students since our schools first closed and through the summer months.

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Pictured from left to right, Back Row: Mike Deany, Ilario Martinez, Ricardo Cano, Ricardo Cano, Jr. Front Row: Cindy DeRose (resident), Betty Aiello (resident), Karli Tosterud (resident), Nancy Myszka (resident)

SUMMER 2020

District 81 Finances FY20 Budgeted Operating Revenues Total Revenues: $22,070,700

6%

FY20 Budgeted Operating Expenditures

21%

Total Expenditures: $19,608,000 72%

2% 7%

Local Resources

State

13%

Federal

A school district’s main source of revenue is from local tax dollars

78%

and because it is service-based, salaries & benefits are its most significant expenditure. District 81 is aggressive in seeking additional grants and programs

Salary & Benefits Supplies

to support educational and operational expenses.

Purchased Services Other

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

School District 81 continues to earn Financial Recognition, the highest financial designation in the state of Illinois, based on a statewide financial analysis conducted by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) known as the Financial Profile. The annual Financial Profile provides a snapshot in time of a district’s financial condition based on five indicators: fund balance-torevenue ratio, expenditures-to-revenue ratio, days cash on hand, percent of short-term borrowing available, and percent of long-term debt remaining.

The District continues to remain in good audit standing and has not received any material finding for the most recent audited fiscal year.

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SUMMER 2020

A MESSAGE FROM BOARD PRESIDENT, MARYANN DESECKI

Leading

On behalf of the School District 81 Board of

Through

Education, I would like to sincerely thank the community members for their support in passing

Challenge

the Washington School referendum. The Equity for Washington committee worked extremely hard, and we could not be more grateful or proud

A MESSAGE FROM OUR SUPERINTENDENT, DR. KIMBERLY BORYSZEWSKI

of the commitment shown to the children of this community.

The upcoming school year will look very different

The words “thank you” don’t seem adequate

because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we have

enough to express my gratitude for the show of

been forced to make decisions about reopening

support our District 81 community gave our

in consideration of the health and safety of 1500

students on March 17th when voters approved to

students and 200 employees. We will continue to

build a new Washington School. It was amazing to

work together to keep our community strong and

see that our community stood behind our schools

healthy, and are honored to serve the residents of

even when facing these unprecedented

District 81.

challenges. It will be my pleasure to share with you more information as we continue to work with our architects and engineers to develop detailed project plans. I extend my deepest gratitude for your support in making sure School District 81 continues to offer 21st Century learning experiences for all of our children for years to come!

Our SD81 faculty, staff and administration have

Pictured from Left to Right, Back Row: Maryann Desecki, Andrea Del Zotti, Allison Downs, Enas Saada; Front Row: Laura Lukasik, Tina Ewanio, Dr. Kimberly Boryszewski, Ana Ultreras

been working with me through challenges we have never faced before due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the recently released guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education, we will begin the new school year with many changes and more challenges to overcome. As always, District 81 will do everything we can to provide engaging and meaningful instruction. We know that with the

School District 81 9760 Soreng Ave. Schiller Park, IL 60176-2105

continued support of our Board of Education and

ECRWS POSTAL CUSTOMER

SD81 families, our students will continue to grow and learn. Take care, be healthy and enjoy the rest of your summer!

Non Profit Org. US Postage PAID Franklin Park, IL Permit No. 198

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