The public engagement process was open to all residents in Glenview and began its work in February. More than 135 individuals signed up to be a part of the process and nearly 100 residents attended at least one session. The task force met 14 times during the course of the past 10 months. The process began with the task force asking questions about the District. That was followed by information meetings specifically designed to address the questions of the task force.

Additionally, process included four school-based sessions that were attended by nearly 70 parents and community members. At those sessions, attendees provided input into the process by ranking their important factors in school success. Those results were shared with the task force prior to that group formalizing its recommendations.

Over the past several months, the task force used all of that data to create 13 recommendations it will present to the Board. The core group from the task force, which included approximately 30 individuals, focused in on the areas of class size, facilities, staffing, student achievement, the curriculum, finances and communications.

The recommendations are:

* Giving priority to the primary grades, move toward lower class sizes. Recognizing financial and space limitations, at a minimum, maintain current ranges for class size.

* Maximize classroom use and remove instruction from inappropriate places such as hallways.

* Explore and implement programs to support faculty and staff in the classroom that utilize alternative staffing models and community volunteers.

* Allow the percentage of teachers with a master's degree to decrease, while continuing to encourage teachers to seek out other professional development opportunities.

* Retain a competitive compensation package.

* Evaluate options for adding a performance-based component into compensation for teachers and staff with the goal of improving classroom performance and attracting teachers.

* With the goal of preparing students for a successful transition to Glenbrook South High School, work with the high school to identify potential program gaps. Establish academic standards that prepare each student to achieve his or her maximum performance at GBS. Implement program changes based on gaps identified.

* Request aggregate performance data of District 34 students from GBS, relative to the average results from all GBS students and relative to other feeder districts, in order to determine potential gaps in curriculum. The analysis should control for critical factors affecting student performance (e.g. income level, diversity). Implement program changes based on those identified gaps.

* Maintain the current level of services within special programs (e.g. special education, gifted education, ESL, early intervention) and identify specific enhancements as part of the existing annual program assessment.

* The District should seek out grants and other sources of funding, outside of tax dollars, to fund programs.

* If necessary, balance increases or decreases in services across all programs.

* Create a chart of accounts and use it according to accepted accounting methods to evaluate program changes and improve resource allocation.

* Expand the objectives of the Board Financial Advisory Committee to condense and present appropriate summaries from the chart of accounts and provide recommendations for efficiency enhancements as identified.

* Identify and synthesize studies that explore positive and negative factors, including school quality, that impact property values. Communicate this information to the public.

* Redesign Schoolook and the District Web site to be more readable and concise, more informative, more accessible to a diverse community and more relevant. These resources should be interconnected and provide direction on how to access specific information. Examples include results of school board votes; financial reports; student achievement reports; opportunities for District participation or volunteerism; agendas for major meetings; and curriculum information.

34 Connect Co-Chairs Jack Hotaling and Jackie Lutz presented the task force findings and recommendations. Additionally, the Board received the data and information the task force used to create its recommendations. Anyone who would like to request the full report can contact District 34 at 847-998-5000.