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Superintendent Sikora credits staff as district posts highest graduation rate in decades
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Brad Sikora opened the board meeting with a broad back-to-school report praising staff and cabinet work that enabled an on-time start, announced a district graduation rate above 90%, and highlighted increases in AP participation and pass rates at Hillcrest.
Dr. Brad Sikora, superintendent of Bremen Community High School District 228, opened the meeting with a longer-than-usual back-to-school report thanking cabinet members, principals and building teams for preparing the district to start on time. He credited coordinated work across operations — transportation, food service, registration, building projects and teacher induction — for a smooth opening week and a welcoming climate for students.
Sikora highlighted freshman transition programming across campuses — orientation events, activity fairs and student-led support — that the district uses to increase engagement and reduce the risk that students fall behind. He described the district’s layered supports for students who struggle academically, including peer tutors, interventionists, counselors and social workers.
The superintendent announced the district’s graduation rate is over 90%, the highest he has seen in his 20-year tenure and an improvement on historical rates cited back to 1984. Sikora framed that figure as evidence the district’s coordinated strategies are working while also noting there is “still room for growth.”
On advanced placement outcomes, Sikora previewed a Hillcrest presentation showing several years of growth in AP participation and pass rates. The district has taken steps to reduce financial barriers to AP exams (using Title funds to help cover fees) and reported an increase in the number of exams taken and in the share passing with scores of 3 or higher.
Sikora also highlighted summer opportunities that exposed students to larger stages — for example, the Bremen band performed onstage with pop act AJR — and said district staff would follow up with parents and the board on any additional information. He closed by inviting questions and offering to have cabinet staff follow up privately on items raised during the meeting.
The board received the report; no formal vote was required. The superintendent and staff committed to provide more detailed data on AP results and graduation measures in future board materials.
