Deerfield Public Schools District 109’s Board of Education unanimously adopted a resolution on Aug. 21 endorsing the Stronger Together Deerfield community initiative and committing the district to several actions in the 2025–26 school year.

The resolution, read aloud at the meeting by board member Kate Joyce, frames Stronger Together Deerfield as a collaborative initiative among local government, schools, municipal and civic organizations, businesses and nonprofits to promote youth well-being, resilience, digital balance and social connection. The district’s commitments listed in the resolution include launching an elementary program described as "LECRO," providing targeted professional development for staff on social‑emotional practices, offering family programming, coordinating with community partners to align communications, and investigating expanded wraparound services for children and families.

District leaders said the village, park district, West Deerfield Township, the library and the chamber have already joined the initiative, and that neighboring District 113 plans related events, including a public presentation by social-emotional researcher Mark Brackett, likely on Oct. 29 at Highland Park High School. The board instructed administration to publish the resolution in board briefs and on the district website’s Stronger Together page.

The motion to adopt the resolution (agenda item 9.3) passed by roll-call vote; the record shows unanimous yes votes from board members present.

Board discussion emphasized communitywide alignment — not an administration-only effort — and noted the initiative as an outgrowth of prior conversations about youth anxiety and mental health.