Skokie District 68 board adopts 2026'030 strategic plan to guide priorities

The Board of Education of School District 68 voted unanimously May 21 to adopt the district's 2026'030 Strategic Plan, a five-year roadmap developed with Studer Education. Board member Emily Lonigro made the motion to approve the plan, and the roll call recorded four ayes with three members absent.

Superintendent Scott Grens summarized the plan's core identity and priorities, saying the document centers on a vision of a 'thriving learning community' and the mission to ensure students are supported to belong, inspired to grow, and challenged to learn. He outlined four strategic pillars—Classroom, Community, Culture, and Care—and the 'WE ARE' values of Wellness, Equity, Achievement, Relationships, and Everyone. Grens described the plan as a 'living document' supported by a district scorecard to report quarterly progress and said implementation would be prioritized in phases to ensure focus and effectiveness.

Board discussion at the meeting emphasized that the Strategic Plan was developed over 18 months with input from a steering committee of board members, staff, parents and community partners, using surveys, focus groups and a 2025 Educational Services Equity Audit to inform priorities. Board members approved the plan by roll call vote, with Bell-Jordan, Lonigro, Sterbenc and Warshaw recorded as voting in favor. The board did not record any amendments to the plan or additional funding approvals at the May 21 meeting.

The board expects the plan to guide goal alignment across schools and departments and to be monitored through quarterly scorecard reports; no specific implementation deadlines beyond phased prioritization were attached in the minutes.