Skokie SD 68 adopts eLearning plan for 2024–2027 as contingency option

The Skokie School District 68 board voted to adopt an eLearning plan for 2024–2027 after a public hearing and staff presentation. The plan is intended as a contingency to allow instruction during isolated building closures or other disruptions while preserving the option of a traditional snow day.

Diana Schmidt, the district’s coordinator of curriculum and school improvement, outlined the plan’s mandatory criteria, saying “it has to have at least five hours of instruction or schoolwork time.” Schmidt described supports the district will provide, including district-issued iPads, daily learning platforms (Seesaw and Canvas), paper materials as an option, attendance/participation verification, and explicit steps to support students with special needs. The plan also requires staff and student training, technical support, and union review with periodic revision points.

Superintendent (introduced at the meeting) emphasized the plan’s contingency role and noted the district will follow up with more detailed communications for families. “This is a great contingency model,” the superintendent said, adding the district will prepare a follow-up to clarify how decisions between eLearning and traditional closures will be made. The board approved the plan by roll call during the meeting.

Administrators said the district will publish written communications at least 30 days before any use and expects to continue evaluating the plan’s operational details, including family-facing guidance on daily schedules and breaks for younger learners. Public comments at the hearing asked for clearer activation criteria and more detail about the format of an eLearning day; the administration committed to a follow-up for those questions.