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U-46 superintendent announces start dates, new strategic plan and school projects
Summary
Dr. Suzanne Johnson outlined 2026 start dates, a new strategic plan with four student-progress goals, a district shift to 6–8 middle schools and several facilities projects, and launched the 'Every Minute Matters' attendance campaign. Families were directed to district web pages for details.
Dr. Suzanne Johnson, superintendent of School District U-46, delivered a recorded back-to-school address announcing school start dates, a new strategic plan with four student-progress goals, and several facilities projects set to come online as the district shifts to a true middle school model.
Johnson said students in kindergarten through 12th grade and those in transition programs will return Monday, Aug. 11, and preschool students will begin Monday, Aug. 18. "At U46, we promise a safe, caring environment where every student experiences the joy of learning and is empowered and prepared for a successful future," Johnson said.
The superintendent described a new strategic plan intended to guide district priorities over coming years and identified four student progress goals: ensuring academic and social-emotional skills for pre-K through second grade; creating welcoming, inclusive schools that foster belonging; supporting every student to demonstrate at least a year of academic growth at every grade level; and developing students' postsecondary-transition skills for life, college and career.
On facilities, Johnson said the district will welcome students to the newly built Hawk Hollow Middle School. She said major additions have been underway at Kenyon Woods Middle School and Kimball Middle School and that the district broke ground on a new middle school in Elgin to be located on Roarson Road. Those projects are part of a broader effort, she said, to move to a 6–8 middle school model.
Johnson also urged families to visit the district's Plans and Priorities page and other web resources for more information, and highlighted the district's "Every Minute Matters" attendance campaign, stressing that daily participation is crucial for academic growth. She directed listeners to u-46.org/attendance for campaign materials, policies and procedures.
She closed by thanking staff who worked over the summer to prepare buildings and classrooms and said she looked forward to the 2025–26 school year. "Welcome back," Johnson said.
