Superintendent reports storm outages, safety alerts and $5 million in gun-violence prevention grants

Superintendent Mike Simic used his September report to brief the Deerfield School Board on operational and safety matters stemming from recent events.

Simic described a large storm on Aug. 28 that caused widespread power outages affecting five of the district's six buildings and prompted the recommendation to make up the lost day on March 3, 2025. "We had massive, massive power outages. 5 of our 6 buildings were out," Simic said.

He also warned the board about a local rise in 'swatting' — hoax threats and bogus communications that can create significant disruption — and advised maintaining in-person instruction where police and fire determine alleged incidents are false. Simic summarized a Lake County Gun Violence Prevention Initiative presentation to local superintendents that has secured $5,000,000 in state and federal grants to study and address gun violence patterns across the county.

Simic announced the district hosted the first meeting of a Community Advisory Council to bring elected bodies, educational partners, religious organizations and local stakeholders together on community concerns. He described ongoing master facility planning, including a buildings-and-grounds facility at Crusoe expected to advance rapidly once its foundation is laid, and an interdistrict collaboration consortium (True North and CIC) where District 109 will serve as a proof-of-concept site for instructional rounds.

Simic closed by encouraging families to attend upcoming family discussion nights on mental health topics and said district communications and reminders will be issued about calendar changes and community events. No formal board action was taken on these informational items during the meeting.