Northbrook SD 28 board approves new Greenbrier principal, several capital projects and policy updates; schedules referendum sessions

Dr. Danielle Moran was hired as the next principal of Greenbrier Elementary School and the board approved several capital projects, human resources actions and a policy update at Northbrook School District 28’s March 11 board meeting.

Board members voted to approve the contract for Dr. Danielle Moran, following an introduction from a Greenbrier teacher and remarks from Superintendent Dr. Pearson. The board also approved HVAC and building-automation upgrades, paving and door replacement projects included in the district’s long-range facility plan, a human resources resolution authorizing honorable dismissal for specified one-year assignments, and a revision of Policy 5330 on sick and personal leave.

The actions matter because they set school leadership for next year, move district facility maintenance into the approved summer schedule pending referendum funding, and formalize personnel and leave practices the district said reflect local practice. The meeting also included updates on curriculum work and community referendum engagement activities and ended with a vote to move to a closed session under the Open Meetings Act.

Dr. Danielle Moran hiring Dr. Pearson introduced Betsy Decker, a Greenbrier kindergarten teacher, who presented the Greenbrier school community’s role in the principal search. Decker said teachers and parents ran final interviews and surveys and ‘‘we all agreed that Dr. Moran was going to be a fantastic fit for our school.’’ Dr. Moran spoke briefly to the board: ‘‘I really can't wait to get started. So thank you so much for this opportunity. I'm thrilled to be here.’’

The board approved Dr. Moran’s contract by voice vote with all members recorded as voting aye: Member Bazer, Member Cassidy, Member (recorded as) Beefcake/Beiftank, Member Arms, Member Silver Schack, Member Weinstock and President Gallinson.

Facilities and summer projects Finance staff told the board the four facility projects presented are coordinated with the long-range facility master plan and are expected to come in under the plan’s estimated budgets. Jessica (finance) reported the district is at about 52% of budget expended and 47% of revenues collected after seven months of the fiscal year.

The board approved four separate construction/maintenance action items for the upcoming summer: HVAC projects at Westmore, Greenbrier and NBGH (approved together), Westmore bus lane paving, door replacements and hardware upgrades, and a district-wide HVAC building automation system upgrade. During discussion, staff said the total for the projects presented was about $715,000 and the projected estimate for roofing projects is about $685,000; the projects are part of an annual $2,000,000 plan and tied into a longer $20,000,000 plan that staff said they may adjust because of potential Meadowbrook-related needs.

Human resources and policy The board adopted a resolution authorizing honorable dismissal that staff said was updated to list employees assigned a one-year assignment for the year; staff said more information will be shared in a subsequent update. The board voted aye on the resolution.

The board also approved updated language for Policy 5330 to reflect the district’s current practice on sick leave, personal leave, catastrophic leave and related items. Board discussion clarified this update aligns the policy manual with local practices and the district’s negotiated agreement; staff said the change does not increase the total number of leave days and that 12-month personnel receive separate vacation allocations. The policy passed by voice vote with all members recorded as aye.

Curriculum, MTSS and SEL updates Board members discussed work stemming from a DMG report. Staff said short-term recommendations include adopting a new kindergarten–fifth-grade ELA curriculum (a decision hoped for this spring), a selected social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum with a recommendation planned for the May board meeting, and formation of a task force to streamline the multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) so core instruction and intervention practices are coherent across tiers. The SEL committee also recommended a standardized behavior matrix across the district’s four schools and a professional learning plan for staff.

Referendum and community engagement Superintendent Pearson and communications staff reported on the district’s referendum outreach. Staff said the district ran Facebook ads that reached 3,798 users with a video and 5,643 users about community open houses; two more postcards were planned before the election. The board noted two community referendum sessions scheduled: an in-person session at Northbrook United Methodist Church on Tuesday, March 18 at 7 p.m., and a virtual session at noon on Thursday, March 20. Staff also reported the district’s parent response to the 5Essentials survey improved to over 20% after recent outreach.

Other business and closed session The board approved the February 25 meeting minutes and the consent agenda items by voice vote. At the meeting’s end the board voted unanimously to go into a closed session for personnel, employment, disciplinary and student disciplinary matters and to review minutes as authorized by the Open Meetings Act (including section 2.06).

Votes at a glance - Approve contract for Dr. Danielle Moran, principal, Greenbrier — outcome: approved (recorded ayes: Member Bazer; Member Cassidy; Member Beefcake/Beiftank; Member Arms; Member Silver Schack; Member Weinstock; President Gallinson). Motion and second: not specified in transcript. - Approve minutes of Feb. 25 (regular and closed) — outcome: approved (voice vote; ayes recorded). Motion/second: not specified. - Approve consent agenda — outcome: approved (voice vote; ayes recorded). Motion/second: not specified. - Approve finance report (statements through January; 52% expenditures, 47% revenues) — outcome: approved (voice vote). Motion/second: not specified. - Adopt resolution authorizing honorable dismissal (updated list of one-year assignments) — outcome: approved (voice vote). Motion/second: not specified. - Approve HVAC projects at Westmore, Greenbrier and NBGH — outcome: approved (voice vote). Motion/second: not specified. - Approve Westmore bus lane paving — outcome: approved (voice vote). Motion/second: not specified. - Approve door replacements and hardware upgrades — outcome: approved (voice vote). Motion/second: not specified. - Approve district-wide HVAC building automation system upgrade — outcome: approved (voice vote). Motion/second: not specified. - Approve Policy 5330 updates (sick/personal leave language, align with local practice and negotiated agreement) — outcome: approved (voice vote). Motion/second: not specified. - Motion to enter closed session under the Open Meetings Act (personnel, legal counsel, student discipline, minutes review per section 2.06) — outcome: approved (voice vote).

Ending The board adjourned its public meeting after voting to enter closed session. Staff indicated more detailed updates on personnel and roofing proposals will be shared with the board in future meetings and that a curriculum recommendation for SEL and a K–5 ELA adoption recommendation are expected in the spring or at the May meeting.