How Student Voice and Community Engagement Lead to Success

Reporter: Shadia Salem, University of St. Francis 

This session, delivered by Board of Education President Corrin Bennett-Kill, Superintendent Mary Gorr, Ed.D., and Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Jason Kaiz, Ed.D., examined how Mount Prospect School District 57 rebuilt trust and strengthened organizational coherence through intentional community engagement and a renewed emphasis on student voice.

Emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, the district recognized the need to rebuild community trust, assess student academic and social-emotional needs, and align initiatives under a unified strategic vision. The presenters emphasized that overcoming these challenges required shifting from an adult-centered model to one focused on students and families, particularly within a small, primarily residential community with limited local resources.

To guide this transition, the district convened a comprehensive Strategic Planning Committee composed of former students, board members, parents, staff, administrators, and representatives from Prospect High School. This stakeholder-driven process resulted in a five-year strategic plan organized around four goal areas, an updated vision statement, "Inspiring every student, every day to reach their full potential," and a new district tagline, "Every Student; Every Day," created by a District 57 graduate. The plan’s online dashboard allows parents and community members to monitor quarterly progress and view alignment between superintendent goals, board topics, and district priorities.

A core outcome of the strategic process was the development of the Portrait of a Graduate, which articulates the traits and competencies the community believes students should possess upon leaving the district. Input from parents, staff, students, graduates, and community partners shaped the final framework, which now drives monthly school-wide themes, classroom lessons, and collaborations with local organizations such as the public library.

The district also expanded avenues for student voice. Initiatives such as Principal Advisory Councils and the introduction of Student Board Members ensured students had meaningful representation in governance and school improvement efforts. In parallel, the Citizens Finance Advisory Committee (CFAC) — comprising parents, community members, and current and former students — worked closely with district leadership to promote fiscal transparency and responsible stewardship of public funds.

These structures proved critical as the district navigated the state mandate for full-day kindergarten and explored long-term facility solutions. A comprehensive communication strategy supported this work, including community events, presentations, social-media videos, informational mailings, and a detailed online repository with tax calculators and referendum materials. Through public engagement events, surveys, and iterative community review, the district evaluated multiple facility scenarios and funding levels before advancing an $85 million recommendation that reflected both educational needs and fiscal responsibility. Working with CFAC, the district reduced the referendum cost by $12.1 million through the strategic use of fund balances and non-referendum financing options.

On November 5, 2024, the community approved the referendum with 64% of the vote, enabling the construction of a new Lincoln Middle School, improvements to safety and learning environments across all buildings, and full compliance with the full-day kindergarten mandate . Groundbreaking has since taken place, and stakeholder engagement continues as the district moves into the implementation phase.

The presenters concluded by identifying key lessons learned: the importance of adaptability, creativity, visibility, and communication, as well as the ongoing need to build bridges across stakeholder groups. They emphasized that these practices not only support successful referendum efforts but also strengthen long-term community trust and district sustainability, regardless of electoral outcomes.