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Community Engagement

Community Engagement

The first phase of Community Engagement, the process of sharing information about the Master Facility Plan and gathering feedback from residents, took place in the spring of 2018.

A Citizen’s Task Force was convened in February 2018 to evaluate the proposals and potential funding solutions. They were asked to make a recommendation to Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Wallace about whether or not to pursue a referendum and if so, the composition of the final measure. After reviewing the research, the group agreed that moving the project forward was in the best interest of students and residents. This team included more than 40 residents from Des Plaines, Park Ridge, Niles, Glenview and Morton Grove. Participants included retirees, civic leaders and District graduates, in addition to current parents, future parents and parents of graduates. All three high schools and feeder elementary school districts were represented.

Community members were invited to tour the buildings and learn about the needs during six meetings (two per school). These April and May presentations included multiple opportunities to ask questions and offer feedback. Attendees also were invited to participate in an electronic survey. Over 215 people attended the meetings and approximately 40% participated in the survey. These responses were used to refine the plans.

Dr. Wallace also presented to many community groups and several PTOs. He is available to speak this fall to community groups about the referendum. Please contact Brett Clark for more information.

Information was sent to all registered voters in District 207 that included information about the district, the MFP, meeting dates and a mail survey.

Overview Document

Mailed Survey

In May 2019, the District commissioned a scientific phone poll of likely voters. Public opinion, or scientific polls, help organizations understand voter perceptions. A representative sample, a group whose demographic distribution is similar to that of the overall population, was interviewed as part of the survey.

On the phone survey, 58% of respondents indicated that they would support the $195 million ballot measure. Respondents also have District 207 overall high marks as 61% of respondents gave District 207 an A or B rating on five-point scale.

Phone Poll Survey Results

On the mailed survey, 48% of respondents indicated that they would probably or definitely vote no and 44% indicated that they would probably or definitely vote yes.

Mail Poll Survey Results

 

Referendum Presentations and Tours

In an effort to ensure all voters were informed related to the referendum ballot question, District 207 hosted building tours and provided community presentations. A list of the referendum tours and community presentations conducted is below.

Referendum Tours Completed

Sept. 7, 2018 – Maine East H.S.

Sept. 7, 2018 – Maine West H.S.

Sept. 7, 2018 – Maine South H.S.

Sept. 21, 2018 – Maine West H.S.

Sept. 21, 2018 – Maine South H.S.

Sept. 27, 2018 – Maine South H.S.

Sept. 28, 2018 – Maine East H.S.

Oct. 5, 2018 – Maine East H.S.

Oct. 10, 2018 – Maine West H.S.

Oct. 11, 2018 – Maine East H.S.

Oct. 12, 2018 – Maine South H.S.

Oct. 16, 2018 – Maine West H.S.

Oct. 19, 2018 – Maine East H.S.

Oct. 19, 2018 – Maine South H.S.

Oct. 23, 2018 – Maine West H.S.

Parent/Community Presentations

Aug. 29, 2018 – Pennoyer School PTA

Sept. 6, 2018 – Maine South Parent Group

Sept. 10, 2018 – Norridge/Harwood Heights Kiwanis

Sept. 13, 2018 – Emerson School PTO

Sept. 18, 2018 – Lincoln School PTO

Sept. 20, 2018 – Park Ridge Lions Club

Sept. 21, 2018 – Frisbie Senior Center

Sept. 22, 2018 – Maine South Football Boosters

Sept. 26, 2018 – Rotary Club of Park Ridge 

Oct. 1, 2018 – Cumberland School PTO

Oct. 2, 2018 – Community Session, Maine West H.S.

Oct. 2, 2018 – Washington School PTO

Oct. 5, 2018 – Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce

Oct. 6, 2018 – League of Women Voters – Park Ridge

Oct. 8, 2018 – Queen of Peace Guild from  St. Paul of the Cross

Oct. 9, 2018 – Forest School PTO

Oct. 9, 2018 – Gemini Junior High PTO

Oct. 10, 2018 – Community Session, Maine South H.S.

Oct. 11, 2018 – Community Session, Maine East H.S.

Oct. 11, 2018 – Central School PTO

Oct. 12, 2018 – Community Relations Committee, Maine West High School

Oct. 15, 2018 – Iroquois School PTO

Oct. 15, 2018 – Melzer School PTO

Oct. 15, 2018 – Carpenter School PTO

Oct. 16, 2018 – Niles Chamber of Commerce

Oct. 16, 2018 – Centennial Activity Center

Oct. 16, 2018 – Park Ridge Kiwanis

Oct. 16, 2018 – Franklin PTO

Oct. 16, 2018 – Park Ridge Community Women

Oct. 17, 2018 – YouTube Live Event

Oct. 23, 2018 – Des Plaines Kiwanis

Oct. 25, 2018 – Rotary Club of Des Plaines

Oct. 25, 2018 – Park Ridge Newcomers

Nov. 5, 2018 – Melzer School PTO