Dear Skokie 73.5 Families, 

At a recent Board of Education meeting, the decision was made to delay our Building 73.5 community engagement program. There are three major reasons. 

First, our district is facing a significant financial challenge — a $3.5 million shortfall. Balancing our budget, while maintaining a great quality of education for our kids, is our highest priority. 

A second factor is property tax collections by Cook County. While this is complicated, the bottom line is that collections are down, payments to our district are delayed, yet property taxes for many of our homeowners are up. 

Third, at a December Building 73.5 meeting, a large majority preferred a "land swap" option — building a new John Middleton School on the park to the west of the school and then developing a park on the school’s existing site. But survey results, and discussions over the holidays, indicated that this land swap idea is not possible. So we must go back to the drawing board. 

So, reluctantly, the decision was made to postpone our community engagement program, balance the budget, then turn our direction to the start the new school.  Our focus must be on cost-effectively providing our kids with the best education possible. 

For those who worked on our community engagement program, including our leadership “Engagement Team” group, please accept my humble thanks for your time, wisdom and input. It was hugely appreciated. Please know that this is just a pause — we will get back to facility planning. The issue is too important to ignore.

Please call or email if you have questions. It is my honor and privilege to serve as your superintendent of schools. I don’t take that responsibility lightly. I know that I work for you. 

Dr. Charles Kyle
Superintendent