District 88 hosts Citizens Task Force meeting

On Jan. 26, District 88 hosted the first of two Citizens Task Force meetings. The event took place at Willowbrook, and more than 70 people attended. 

To view a photo gallery from the event, click on the images above.

The Citizens Task Force is composed of parents and non-parents, business and civic leaders, educators, and other community stakeholders. This group will play an important role in evaluating a funding proposal that could appear on the November 2026 ballot to address facility improvements at Addison Trail and Willowbrook high schools, including safety and security upgrades, addressing aging infrastructure, ADA accessibility and improvements to Career & Technical Education (CTE) spaces. The potential proposal would fund these essential updates at both facilities without a net tax rate increase. At this stage, no final decisions have been made regarding the possible funding proposal. District 88 is committed to developing and implementing a process that enables local taxpayers to take a leading role in the planning effort. 

During the Jan. 26 meeting, District 88 Board of Education President Donna Craft Cain and District 88 Superintendent Dr. Jean Barbanente welcomed everyone and thanked them for their support. A presentation was then provided by Barbanente, District 88 Chief Financial Officer Ryan Domeracki, Beyond Your Base Managing Director Paul Hanley and ARCON Associates, Inc. Principal George D. Demarakis. To view the slides that were shared, go to www.dupage88.net/TaskForcePresentation1. Participants also had an opportunity to tour the school building.

The second Citizens Task Force meeting will take place from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 19 at Addison Trail, 213 N. Lombard Road in Addison. This will be an interactive meeting that will include a comprehensive overview of the potential solutions, followed by a discussion to define the proposal for community input.

It is requested that participants attend both task force meetings. However, those who were unable to make the first one and would still like to be part of the group can register at www.dupage88.net/TaskForceForm.

For questions or more information, contact District 88 Director of Community Relations Dani Brink at dbrink@dupage88.net or 630-530-3989. Thank you for your continued support of District 88.