District 88 hosts Citizens Task Force meeting

On Feb. 19, District 88 hosted the second of two Citizens Task Force meetings. The event took place at Addison Trail, and about 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 Feb. 19 meeting, participants:

1. Toured the school building.
   
   
2. Were welcomed by District 88 Board of Education President Donna Craft Cain.
   
   
3. Attended a presentation provided by District 88 Superintendent Dr. Jean Barbanente, Beyond Your Base Senior Associate Skylar White, ARCON Associates, Inc. Principal George D. Demarakis and PTMA Financial Solutions SVP, Managing Director Bob Lewis. Information shared included:
   
   - Next steps in the funding proposal process
   
   - A recap of the facility needs at Addison Trail, Willowbrook and the District 88 Office in the areas of Safety and Security, Life Safety, Accessibility, Infrastructure, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Space Needs, Performing Arts Space Needs and Athletics Space Needs
   
   - Proposed solutions to meet those facility needs
   
   - An overview of the financing plan
   
   
4. Engaged in a feedback survey, where they answered questions related to the funding proposal to give input that will help guide the district.

To view the presentation slides, go to http://www.dupage88.net/TaskForcePresentation2.

To view a recap of the first Task Force meeting, including the presentation slides, go to https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/17283.