Vision 73 Community Engagement Co-Chairs
Nancy EschkerNancy Eschker is a 22 year resident of Skokie District 73. She is the parent of two East Prairie graduates and also served on the East Prairie School Board from 2007-2011. During her time as a board member Mrs. Eschker served as the NTDSE District 807 delegate. For the past 17 years she has worked at the Skokie Park District as the School Age Supervisor and runs the SPACE program at all public schools in Skokie. In addition, she runs many summer day camps. Nancy is very involved in the community and is excited to be co-chairing this new endeavor for East Prairie School.
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Tom ErfA 16-year East Prairie resident, Tom Erf teaches third grade in a nearby school district. His wife is also an elementary school teacher. Their twin sons are third grade students at East Prairie School and Tom's daughters, currently in college studying business and industrial design, are happy EPS alumni.
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Additional Members of the Community Engagement Facilitating Team:
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Teri Madl
Erin Stein Zhanna Soloveychik Nancy Eschker Marek Kierznowski Jordan Stephen Steven Elizer Irwin Zeidman Mark Johnson Mary Kaiser |
Kathy Byron
Malik Kvamme Tom Erf Emily Oh Andrea Smeeton Ignacio Lopez Steve Kramer Sue Kelly Rod Wright Jenna Engler |
Did You Know?
Facts and Figures for East Prairie School District
The first East Prairie School housed 100 students in a one-room schoolhouse
Currently, East Prairie School District 73 serves a student body consisting of over 550 students in Preschool through Eighth Grade
Nearly 700 people use the building on a daily basis (faculty, students, parents, visitors)
Adult and child basketball leagues, camps, and township events use the building during the summer, evenings, and weekends
Our Fine Arts Program hosted the Illinois Grade School Music Association competition last year
Adult language classes are offered at the school
After School Clubs have been offered for more than 10 years and continue to grow each year
We have an award winning athletic program
We host alumni tours
We have Project Lead the Way (STEM) classes for students in K-8
Our middle school was chosen to present our model of instruction at the National Middle School Association
The original section of the current facility was built in 1950. Subsequent additions have been made as the student population has increased over the years
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does East Prairie School District 73 need a new facility?
The current facility, though maintained and repaired over the years, is in need of repairs that will require significant capital investments. In addition, with the curriculum, programs and services necessary to effectively prepare students for college and career, the current space is both extremely limited and in need of modernization. The current school facility does not effectively support for the educational needs of today.
Can EPSD 73 just repair the facility?
The costs of making repairs to the existing systems and spaces would not be the most effective investment for the current and future generations of our students and community. For example, the electric heating and cooling system is beyond repair due to parts no longer being available for the system. If the facility remains as is, the anticipated repair costs total more than $14 million, while not resolving the space constraint issues of the current school facility. Given the age and condition of the building, significant investments will continue to be required in another decade, and yet again a decade from then.
Is renovating/renewing the current facility an option?
As with repairing the current facility, there are significant costs associated with renewing the current facility. The space limitations and long term recurring costs remain a major concern due to the impact on quality programming for our students. The estimated costs for renovating/renewing are almost $35 million.
What are the benefits of a new facility?
There are many benefits to building a new East Prairie School for our students and community.
The costs associated with a new facility are comparable to the figure for repairs of our community’s current facility.
What does that mean? It means that:
For about the cost of repairing the old, outdated and small building over time, we could have a new, dynamic and future-ready facility that supports the needs of our students for generations to come.
The many programs provided would have ample space to allow for student participation and needs.
Building features such as a secure, controlled entrance would be included to ensure the safety of our children.
State-of-the-Art technologies would be integrated into the space supporting expanded learning opportunities for students of all ages allowing an expansion in our STEM programs.
Technology infrastructure would be integrated to support student technology needs.
Better accessibility for persons with disabilities and families with strollers.
Our Fine Arts programs would have the space and equipment needed to grow.
Just to name a few…
Where would a new East Prairie School be built?
After extensive research, the Vision 73 group, along with community input, that a that a new facility would be built at the current location on the playground and parking lot while the existing building continues to be used for classes. This would allow for uninterrupted curriculum delivery during construction while also keeping a centrally located facility for the community. When classes and programs are moved to the new building, a new playground and parking facility will be built in the current school’s location. In addition, using land already owned by the school will reduce project costs.
What will the cost be to taxpayers for a new school facility?
The cost to an average homeowner (house valued at $255,000) will be an additional $838 per year or about $70 per month.
Why should a new facility be built now?
Now is a great time for community improvements. Interest rates are at historically low levels and construction costs increase at a rate of approximately $1 million each year. If we wait, it will only get more expensive to provide to our community the type of school facility that is needed.
What is the projected timeline for building a new East Prairie School?
The projected ground breaking for a new school building will occur in Summer 2018. The school facility will be phased in over a three-year period.
What are the long-term benefits for the East Prairie School District community? For my family?
Strong schools support the high quality of life and contribute to maintaining the quality of our city. Our community is known as a desirable place to live and improving our school will help our community continue to be a place where families want to locate. When families want to move within our school district boundaries - that is good for business, good for economic development, and, good for property values.
The long-term benefits reach beyond property values. East Prairie School, our school, is dedicated to preparing our students for college and career. East Prairie School supports students’ pursuit of academic excellence through a strong emphasis on rigorous and engaging learning experiences across subject areas ensuring that our students are future ready when they graduate from our school.
What do community members think of building a new facility so far?
During the first half of 2016, East Prairie School District 73 engaged the community in a series of community engagement sessions called Vision 73. This was a citizen-led conversation about the East Prairie School facility in order to gather input and feedback for future planning. Over the course of four sessions, for which all community members were invited to participate, a total of over 200 participants provided insight and feedback into the various options for the future of the East Prairie School facility. Overwhelmingly the participants identified options that included a new facility as the most desirable. Residents can find more information on the community engagement sessions and participant feedback at: vision73.net.
FAQ Building and Equipping a New School
The November 2016 election contained a referendum ballot question for East Prairie D73: Should East Prairie School District 73 build and equip a new school?
The voters of the District approved the referendum by a 2-1 vote with a 65% approval rating. The following information is being provided to keep community members abreast of the many details involved in such an endeavor.
Education: The education of our children is the reason we exist. Students will continue to be educated in our present facility while we phase our construction. Classrooms will be shifted, offices combined, and services will continue to be offered at the quality families expect from East Prairie School.
Community: The community will continue to be updated via our Vision73 website, in our On the Prairie monthly newsletter, and our district-wide publication, The Gazette, and at monthly Board of Education meetings.
Traffic & Safety: A high concern on our list is the traffic and safety aspects of such an endeavor. A Traffic Survey is required by the Village to help us ascertain current and factual information during and after the construction phase.
Finance: As established through our community engagement meetings, a new school would cost $47.3 million. During the May 17, 2016 meeting the following question was asked: How do we go above our debt limit when we need $40 million for a new school? Three options were given:
1) exploding enrollment exception to the debt limit where enrollment grows year over year by 10% or 200 students;
2) referendum is approved by 67% of the registered voters of the District; or
3) special legislation is approved for an exception from the statutory debt limit.
We are pursuing option 3 and seeking the legislation for an exception.
Next Steps: As the District works with our legislators for debt limit exception approval, the preplanning phases are underway. The District properties were surveyed as required, soil borings were conducted, and as mentioned earlier, a traffic survey will take place in the near future.
Facts and Figures for East Prairie School District
The first East Prairie School housed 100 students in a one-room schoolhouse
Currently, East Prairie School District 73 serves a student body consisting of over 550 students in Preschool through Eighth Grade
Nearly 700 people use the building on a daily basis (faculty, students, parents, visitors)
Adult and child basketball leagues, camps, and township events use the building during the summer, evenings, and weekends
Our Fine Arts Program hosted the Illinois Grade School Music Association competition last year
Adult language classes are offered at the school
After School Clubs have been offered for more than 10 years and continue to grow each year
We have an award winning athletic program
We host alumni tours
We have Project Lead the Way (STEM) classes for students in K-8
Our middle school was chosen to present our model of instruction at the National Middle School Association
The original section of the current facility was built in 1950. Subsequent additions have been made as the student population has increased over the years
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does East Prairie School District 73 need a new facility?
The current facility, though maintained and repaired over the years, is in need of repairs that will require significant capital investments. In addition, with the curriculum, programs and services necessary to effectively prepare students for college and career, the current space is both extremely limited and in need of modernization. The current school facility does not effectively support for the educational needs of today.
Can EPSD 73 just repair the facility?
The costs of making repairs to the existing systems and spaces would not be the most effective investment for the current and future generations of our students and community. For example, the electric heating and cooling system is beyond repair due to parts no longer being available for the system. If the facility remains as is, the anticipated repair costs total more than $14 million, while not resolving the space constraint issues of the current school facility. Given the age and condition of the building, significant investments will continue to be required in another decade, and yet again a decade from then.
Is renovating/renewing the current facility an option?
As with repairing the current facility, there are significant costs associated with renewing the current facility. The space limitations and long term recurring costs remain a major concern due to the impact on quality programming for our students. The estimated costs for renovating/renewing are almost $35 million.
What are the benefits of a new facility?
There are many benefits to building a new East Prairie School for our students and community.
The costs associated with a new facility are comparable to the figure for repairs of our community’s current facility.
What does that mean? It means that:
For about the cost of repairing the old, outdated and small building over time, we could have a new, dynamic and future-ready facility that supports the needs of our students for generations to come.
The many programs provided would have ample space to allow for student participation and needs.
Building features such as a secure, controlled entrance would be included to ensure the safety of our children.
State-of-the-Art technologies would be integrated into the space supporting expanded learning opportunities for students of all ages allowing an expansion in our STEM programs.
Technology infrastructure would be integrated to support student technology needs.
Better accessibility for persons with disabilities and families with strollers.
Our Fine Arts programs would have the space and equipment needed to grow.
Just to name a few…
Where would a new East Prairie School be built?
After extensive research, the Vision 73 group, along with community input, that a that a new facility would be built at the current location on the playground and parking lot while the existing building continues to be used for classes. This would allow for uninterrupted curriculum delivery during construction while also keeping a centrally located facility for the community. When classes and programs are moved to the new building, a new playground and parking facility will be built in the current school’s location. In addition, using land already owned by the school will reduce project costs.
What will the cost be to taxpayers for a new school facility?
The cost to an average homeowner (house valued at $255,000) will be an additional $838 per year or about $70 per month.
Why should a new facility be built now?
Now is a great time for community improvements. Interest rates are at historically low levels and construction costs increase at a rate of approximately $1 million each year. If we wait, it will only get more expensive to provide to our community the type of school facility that is needed.
What is the projected timeline for building a new East Prairie School?
The projected ground breaking for a new school building will occur in Summer 2018. The school facility will be phased in over a three-year period.
What are the long-term benefits for the East Prairie School District community? For my family?
Strong schools support the high quality of life and contribute to maintaining the quality of our city. Our community is known as a desirable place to live and improving our school will help our community continue to be a place where families want to locate. When families want to move within our school district boundaries - that is good for business, good for economic development, and, good for property values.
The long-term benefits reach beyond property values. East Prairie School, our school, is dedicated to preparing our students for college and career. East Prairie School supports students’ pursuit of academic excellence through a strong emphasis on rigorous and engaging learning experiences across subject areas ensuring that our students are future ready when they graduate from our school.
What do community members think of building a new facility so far?
During the first half of 2016, East Prairie School District 73 engaged the community in a series of community engagement sessions called Vision 73. This was a citizen-led conversation about the East Prairie School facility in order to gather input and feedback for future planning. Over the course of four sessions, for which all community members were invited to participate, a total of over 200 participants provided insight and feedback into the various options for the future of the East Prairie School facility. Overwhelmingly the participants identified options that included a new facility as the most desirable. Residents can find more information on the community engagement sessions and participant feedback at: vision73.net.
FAQ Building and Equipping a New School
The November 2016 election contained a referendum ballot question for East Prairie D73: Should East Prairie School District 73 build and equip a new school?
The voters of the District approved the referendum by a 2-1 vote with a 65% approval rating. The following information is being provided to keep community members abreast of the many details involved in such an endeavor.
Education: The education of our children is the reason we exist. Students will continue to be educated in our present facility while we phase our construction. Classrooms will be shifted, offices combined, and services will continue to be offered at the quality families expect from East Prairie School.
Community: The community will continue to be updated via our Vision73 website, in our On the Prairie monthly newsletter, and our district-wide publication, The Gazette, and at monthly Board of Education meetings.
Traffic & Safety: A high concern on our list is the traffic and safety aspects of such an endeavor. A Traffic Survey is required by the Village to help us ascertain current and factual information during and after the construction phase.
Finance: As established through our community engagement meetings, a new school would cost $47.3 million. During the May 17, 2016 meeting the following question was asked: How do we go above our debt limit when we need $40 million for a new school? Three options were given:
1) exploding enrollment exception to the debt limit where enrollment grows year over year by 10% or 200 students;
2) referendum is approved by 67% of the registered voters of the District; or
3) special legislation is approved for an exception from the statutory debt limit.
We are pursuing option 3 and seeking the legislation for an exception.
Next Steps: As the District works with our legislators for debt limit exception approval, the preplanning phases are underway. The District properties were surveyed as required, soil borings were conducted, and as mentioned earlier, a traffic survey will take place in the near future.