Dist. 214 solicits input on capital project priorities

Northwest Suburban High School District 214 will host a series of public sessions in the first quarter of next year to solicit community feedback regarding potential future capital projects.

In addition to the listening sessions, a citizens advisory group and a student advisory group also will be formed to solicit input and feedback.

The citizen advisory group will include a staff member and two parents or community members from each building and the associate principal for operations from all six district high schools. Anyone interested in serving on the citizens advisory group should contact the district office or the principal of the high school in his/her attendance area.

One junior and senior from each high school, along with a student representative from the district’s alternative programs, will serve on the student advisory group.

District 214’s board requires a financial reserve between 50 percent and 55 percent of the district’s annual expenses. In October, District 214 announced that its reserves had exceeded 55 percent of the overall operating budget.

Through this process, the district will review its long-term financial situation, identify potential capital projects to directly support and enhance the teaching and learning environment.

“As a district, our primary goal is to create a learning environment that provides strong and relevant academics that prepare all of our students for future success, supports co-curricular activities, and fosters pride in our schools among students, staff, parents and the community,” Superintendent David Schuler said.

The district now is in a position to consider capital projects based on an assessment of its facilities needs in all areas without asking for additional revenues,” he said.

The district will host two listening sessions on each of four topics, including academic, athletic, fine and performing arts, and operational needs. The task force is expected to make its final recommendations to the board in late spring.

The district has not held a tax referendum in 44 years and has had a balanced operating budget for 18 years, said Bill Dussling, school board president.

“The capital feasibility project provides us a unique opportunity to consider enhancements to the infrastructure of our schools — many of which are on average more than 45 years old — with the help of direct and valued input from our students, staff and public and without decreasing the percent of funding that we already spend on student education.”