New Trier Township High School District 203

The meeting commenced with a closed session to discuss personnel matters, including appointment, employment, and compensation. During the open business session, the Board approved the minutes of previous meetings held on December 8 and December 15, 2025, which is excluded from this summary. Campus Principals and Assistant Superintendents provided updates on student activities, including dance performances, academic life sessions for the incoming freshman class, elective showcases, and student art exhibits. Attendance rates were reported as a three-year low. Student recognition programs and course selection processes were also detailed. Program updates included partnerships for staff/student connection activities and preparation for spring athletics. A Parent University program regarding substance use risk in teens was announced. Community service efforts, including a record-breaking food drive collection, were highlighted. Furthermore, details were shared regarding workplace credentials earned by five students from the Transition program through a new partnership with Oakton College. The FOIA report indicated six requests closed since the last meeting. A significant discussion centered on the relocation of the freshman Educational Life Skills (ELS) program to the Winnetka campus to enhance service continuity and resource allocation. The Board also reviewed the long-term facilities planning process, noting significant accomplishments under the 2019 plan, such as facility modernizations and the opening of the Transition Center. The administration is revising the plan collaboratively to align resources with future educational needs. Administrative items included the Treasurer's Report for December 2025, noting a strong cash balance, and the Financial Report for December 2025, indicating stable expenditures against budget expectations. The Board conducted the first reading of policy revisions for PRESS 120 and approved the budget assumptions and calendar for the 2026-27 fiscal year, which projects a slight decrease in enrollment over the next three years. The Consent Agenda included routine items such as the Bill List for December 2025, Personnel Report, construction reports, approval of student fees for 2026-27, and various intergovernmental agreements.

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The New Trier 2030 Strategic Plan outlines the future direction for New Trier High School, resulting from a collaborative effort to define priorities. It is structured around six frameworks: Intellectual Engagement, Growth, and Readiness; Student Personal Growth, Engagement, and Well-being; Culture, Climate, and Equity; Leadership Throughout the School; Community Engagement, Partnerships, and Governance; and Finance, Facilities, and Human Resources. The plan's mission is to cultivate intellectual inquiry, compassion, and service, with a vision to equip graduates with the skills and dispositions for meaningful and impactful lives.

The meeting included a closed session for personnel matters. In the open session, the Board reviewed and approved the Fiscal Year 2025 Audit, which received a clean (unmodified) opinion, noting an increase in the District's equity by $16 million and a surplus from operations. The Board also received a presentation on the 2025 Illinois School Report Card, where both campuses earned an exemplary summative designation, and discussed proficiency rates in ELA, math, and science compared to state benchmarks. A progress update was given on Annual Plan Goal 1, focusing on establishing the Postsecondary Portfolio, a four-year experiential learning graduation requirement designed to foster essential human skills. Administrative items included reports on the November 2025 Treasurer's and Financial reports, highlighting the recent successful bond sale and contingency planning for potential property tax revenue delays. The Consent Agenda covered standard items such as the Bill List, Personnel Report, contract renewals, and new course proposals.

The Special Meeting of the Board of Education included a presentation and action regarding a resolution to authorize the issuance of Taxable Tax Anticipation Warrants, not to exceed $50,000,000, in anticipation of 2025 tax collections for educational purposes. This action was necessitated due to a six-month delay in the issuance of property tax bills and subsequent delays in fund distribution from Cook County. The administration sought authorization to borrow funds in case revenue did not arrive by February, a process requiring four weeks. The resolution, created by the District's attorney for up to $50 million, was moved, seconded, and passed by a roll call vote. The meeting concluded with an adjournment motion.