A Better Winnetka

The following letter from Linda Yonke, New Trier High School Superintendent, was sent to parents and staff. It provides the latest information on the New Trier Facilities issue:

Subject: New Trier - Facilities Planning Update
Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 09:38:07 +0000

Dear Parents and Staff,

Last night (September 22) at a Special Meeting of the New Trier High School Board of Education, the Facilities Steering Committee presented information about the four options which emerged through the facilities study process. Board member questions were addressed, and the options were assessed using the criteria developed by the Community/Staff Workshop Committee. The four options (described in materials sent to you last week) range from Status Quo, to two options with some construction/some renovation, to a total re-build of the Winnetka Campus - and all include some level of renovation of the Northfield B Building. Financial information about each option was also included in the presentation.

At the conclusion of the 2+ hour presentation, Board members discussed the options and indicated that they would like for the Steering Committee to concentrate on the two middle options. Those two options contain limited new construction and some level of renovation at the Winnetka Campus as well as some improvements at Northfield. The Board does not wish for the Steering Committee to pursue either the Status Quo option or the total rebuild of the Winnetka Campus.

 The power point presentation and numerous other supporting documents from Monday's meeting will be available on the facilities link of the New Trier website late Tuesday, and a video of the meeting will be available within a couple of days. An additional Special Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 6, at 6:00 p.m. in C234 at the Northfield Campus, again focusing on facilities long range planning. A section of that meeting will be dedicated to public comments.

 Be sure to check the website for further information, including the schedule for meetings and tours of the Winnetka Campus.

Linda Yonke

Also check today's Chicago Tribune which has an article on this subject, as well as the citizen website, newtrierchoices.org.