In today’s Leading News, take a look at coverage of suburban school district referendums on the November ballot, plus the county school facilities sales tax question in DeKalb County.

Dist. 64 Launches Referendum Outreach
Igor Studenkov, Journal and Topics, Chicago suburbs, September 4

District 57 asking voters for tax hike in order to fund kindergarten, new middle school
Steve Zalusky, Daily Herald, September 4

School funding question to be on Nov. 5 ballot in handful of Southland communities
Mike Nolan, Daily Southtown, Chicago and suburbs, August 19

District 220 seeks $64 million tax hike for new auditorium, curriculum improvements
Eric Peterson, Daily Herald, August 16

Proposed new DeKalb County schools sales tax would not tax groceries, prescriptions, cars
Camden Lazenby, DeKalb Daily Chronicle, September 5
 

In today’s Leading News, read coverage of financing for candidates in Chicago’s first school board election. Plainfield CCSD 202 reaches a settlement with two students after allegations of hazing in 2019. Decatur SD 61 offers a new alternative education program. Also in the news, officials credit the emergency alert system in use at Apalachee High School in Georgia during last week’s school shooting tragedy.

With CTU and school choice proponents investing in elected school board races, do ‘independent’ candidates stand a chance?
Sarah Macaraeg, Chicago Tribune, September 6

Chicago school board elections see big 'school choice' cash, including from billionaires
Sarah Karp and Nader Issa, Chicago Sun-Times, September 6

Plainfield School District 202 approves settlement in football hazing lawsuit
Felix Sarver, Joliet Herald News, August 29

Option 3 provides alternative to alternative schools
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, August 30

A Panic Button May Have Saved Lives in Ga. School Shooting. Here’s What We Know
Caitlynn Peetz, Education Week, September 5
 

In today’s Leading News, the Proviso THSD 209 board focuses on achievement. Prairie Central CUSD 8 discusses and weighs school closures. Lake Forest SD 67 challenges hiring practices. Decatur SD 61 custodial staff files intent to strike. Also in the news, the father of the 14-year-old student charged in Wednesday’s school shooting tragedy in Georgia has been arrested.

D209 aims to tackle achievement, chronic absenteeism this year
Amaris E. Rodriguez, Forest Park Review, September 3

Residents push back against plan to strip small central Illinois towns of schools
Erich Murphy, Pontiac Daily Leader, September 4

Lake Forest school board president blasts hiring oversight; ‘Steps are being taken so that it doesn’t happen again’
Daniel I. Dorfman, Pioneer Press/Lake County News-Sun, September 3

Decatur School District 61 custodians prepare to go on strike
Decatur Herald and Review, August 29

Father of suspected Apalachee HS shooter arrested, charged in connection with shooting
Jonathan Franklin, NPR, September 5
 

In today’s Leading News, four deaths are reported after Wednesday’s school shooting in Winder, Georgia. Transportation takes trials, tribulations, and trails. Also in the news, Chalkbeat takes a national look at state report cards.

A teen charged with killing 4 people at a Georgia high school was interviewed about online threats
Jeff Amy, Associated Press, September 5

Parents, bus drivers seek answers as Saratoga Elementary Board discusses dissolving transportation district
Michael Urbanec, Morris Herald News, August 23

2 DeKalb kindergartners went missing on 1st day of school; their parents want accountability
Megann Horstead, DeKalb Daily Chronicle, August 26

MHS District 280 on board with pedestrian-bicycle path
Mendota Reporter, August 27

How are students doing since COVID? Good luck finding out from your state’s school report card.
Erica Meltzer, Chalkbeat National, September 5
 

In today’s Leading News, school boards examine budgets and decide on bond referendums.

District 207 OKs budget up $12.6 million over last year
Richard Requena, Pioneer Press, Park Ridge, August 20

Evanston-Skokie School District 65 discovers $10-$20 million deficit, budget irregularities
Phil Rockrohr, Pioneer Press Evanston, August 27

Saratoga Board Budget Presentation
Justin Ritz, WCSJ, Morris, August 28

Rockridge puts bond referendum on Nov. 5 ballot for new elementary school
Olivia Allen, Quad Cities Dispatch-Argus, August 30

Mahomet-Seymour School District Proposes $112 Million Bond for New Schools
Mahomet Daily, September 2
 

In today’s Leading News, districts and communities work on contract talks with teachers and SROs. Also in the news, cupcakes.

Back to school in Chicago 2024: new students, a new school board, and a new teachers contract?
Becky Vevea, Chalkbeat Chicago, August 21

Crystal Lake District 47 teachers to start school year without contract as federal mediation continues
Michelle Meyer, Northwest Herald, August 21

Waukegan, school board still $40k apart in SRO contract dispute; ‘The kids need it to feel safe in school’
Steve Sadin, Lake County News-Sun, August 29

RTHS Board: SRO agreement with city approved
Jeff Helfrich. Rochelle News-Leader, August 20

Illinois teacher’s viral plea: ‘Please don’t bring cupcakes’ for children’s birthdays
Joey Schneider, WGN, Chicago, August 27