Dear Community Members,

I would like to begin by thanking you for your continued support of our community schools.  Although we face challenging economic times, our residents, local businesses and families of DeKalb have placed a high value on public education.  New schools, a new hospital, a new cancer center, and Northern Illinois University and Kishwaukee College facility improvements, as well as a renewed downtown DeKalb, have all set up a very bright future for the City of DeKalb and DeKalb County.

The Board of Education, administration and staff are committed to improving communication with all stakeholders, fiscal restraint, student achievement and setting high standards for teaching and learning.  In June the Board of Education held a retreat and established goals and priorities for the school administration to focus on during the 2012-13 school term.  Those goals/priorities include:

• Improve articulation, alignment and instructional practices in order to improve student achievement, the graduation   rate and college career readiness
• Create a comprehensive K-12 district-wide vision for teacher and student access to technology that will support and facilitate student learning
• The administration and staff will provide the Board of Education regular updates on the progress being made in student achievement and Board approved initiatives
• Continue to improve communication with all stakeholders in the school and community
• Work with District 428 staff and the community to improve their understanding of district finances
• Continue to improve community and parent engagement within the schools

Our school district and community face challenges similar to other communities around the state; however we believe that we have positioned ourselves to overcome the obstacles we face.  In the same breath, it is exciting to see the improvements that are taking place in our school and community.  We are proud of our student successes, our outstanding teachers and support staff, and the parents and community members who have supported and contributed to our successes.  It is an honor and privilege to be part of the DeKalb School District and Community.  We are all looking forward to a promising and exciting 2012-13 school year.

Sincerely,

Dr. James Briscoe
Superintendent