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.
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.
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.
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