DeKalb board authorizes ELDC and study of grade reconfiguration after community pushes for broader input

The DeKalb CUSD 428 Board of Education voted to approve a resolution to build a new early learning development center (ELDC) and to authorize administration to explore grade-level reconfiguration options under the district’s Vision 04/28 plan, after an extended public comment period and debate among board members.

Community members, Founders Elementary staff and parents urged the board to slow the process and allow more public outreach before making changes that could reassign students and alter elementary-school configurations. Denise Osterlin, a fourth-grade dual-language teacher at Founders Elementary, told the board: “I respectfully ask the board to pause this resolution until our community has the opportunity to contribute to the conversation.” Katie Poole, PTO president at Founders, said the proposal risks “breaking apart” the progress the school has made this year.

Board leaders and administrators framed the vote as an authorization to study options, not a final decision to reconfigure schools. The board president said the ELDC decision was the only item that had been finalized; administration reiterated that Vision 04/28 remains exploratory and that committees will be formed to gather input. The superintendent’s team said the exploratory work includes site studies, projected costs and anticipated enrollments for an August 2028 opening under current planning assumptions.

During discussion, board members signaled they expect multiple options to be cost‑analyzed. One board member summarized the trade-off: explore options now so the district avoids repeated, short-term fixes; others warned that committing substantial funds to a single design could foreclose alternative solutions. The board amended the resolution to remove paragraph wording that explicitly named certain schools (language identifying specific buildings was excised from the whereas/third paragraph) so the authorization focuses on exploring configurations rather than pre-selecting sites.

The motion to approve the ELDC resolution and the motion authorizing exploration of grade reconfiguration carried on roll calls. Administration committed to provide detailed enrollment calculations, cost estimates and scenario modeling at upcoming meetings so the public and the board can evaluate alternatives. Officials also noted the district will attempt to use new commercial tax revenues to offset some capital costs and avoid a referendum if feasible.

What happens next: the board asked administration to convene community committees and produce cost and enrollment analyses for the board’s review at future meetings. No final redistricting or building conversions will occur without additional public input and subsequent board action.