Why the Winnetka
Caucus Council slating process matters?
The Winnetka Caucus Council is a non-partisan group of volunteers who represent the Caucus and serve as a liaison between its residents and the four Boards that comprise Winnetka's government - Village Council, Parks, Schools, and Library.​ All voting-age residents of the Village of Winnetka, the Winnetka Parks District, the Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District and the Winnetka D36 School District are members of the Winnetka Caucus.
The Winnetka Caucus Council was founded in 1915 by a group of leaders aiming to align local elections with the issues that mattered most to Winnetka residents. It's been more than a century since Winnetka officially adopted the Caucus form of non-partisan self-government where everyone who has a vote has a voice.
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The Annual Survey is conducted online once a year. Every household serviced by Winnetka's four taxing bodies - Village, Parks, Schools, and Library - is eligible to complete the survey. The survey includes direct questions of importance to the taxing bodies and fellow residents, and invites survey-takers to add their comments and insights. The results are tabulated, analyzed, and written up as platforms to guide the boards' agenda going forward. The latest survey noted the following areas of focus for the District 36 School Board...
New Trier Readiness
High School readiness was a top priority in 2023 and remains a top priority for respondents in 2024. The District took actions to evaluate high school readiness through focus groups and student surveys.
The District should share the information learned through those actions and defining high school readiness should be included in the upcoming strategic plan.
Technology in Schools
Over 80% of respondents support prohibiting personal electronic devices during school hours. At the beginning of the school year, the District implemented the Yondr program to secure and store personal devices during the school day.
At the end of the school year, the district should provide feedback and metrics, in line with the expected positive impacts, like changes in student behavior, engagement, academic performance and note any negative impacts of the program.
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The WCC survey asked for opinions about technology in the classroom and received a range of responses from no concerns to interest in knowing more about how technology is used in the classroom.
The District should present and/or clarify its philosophy on how various media (e.g. apps, lectures, videos, books, digital books, written assignments, typed assignments, paper submissions and electronic submissions) are selected for academic subjects and/or by teachers. This could include information and/or research about what is appropriate for students.
Progressive Education & Measurement
The survey showed that 38% of respondents believe that the District has done an effective job balancing the goal of progressive education and measuring progress. Other meaningful responses indicate a desire for a clear definition and/or suggest updates to the definition of progressive education.
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Consistent with the 2023 plank, the District should continue the work to codify the Winnetka vision of Progressive Education and clearly state how it can be optimized to measure student performance.
Communication & Clarity
The survey results reflect an interest in respondents to receive clear and concise information from the District. Some respondents are interested in receiving more information on content they deem sensitive.
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The District should identify improvements to communications to help parents and caretakers best receive information and be made aware earlier in decision-making processes.
Meet The Winnetka Slate:
HOTZ, RAPP & WATERS
3 candidates for 3 open board positions
Andrew HOTZ, Alyssa RAPP & Dan WATERS have been reviewed by the Winnetka Caucus Council Schools Committee and received a majority vote by both the Winnetka Caucus Council and a public town hall vote to become the 2025 Winnetka Slate. Hotz, Rapp & Waters were slated by the Winnetka Caucus Council based on their shared focus on the issues most important to Winnetka residents: excellent curriculum and instruction, fiscal responsibility and non-partisan leadership.
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The election is contested by non-Caucus candidates, so your vote matters.
Your vote matters:
Higher reading and math test scores = higher property values
RAND Education, 2008
The Impact of Educational Quality on the Community
Vote by mail
Now
March 27th - Postmark deadline to request a ballot
April 1st - Postmark deadline to submit your ballot
Vote early
March 17-31
M-Sat: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Vote in person
Tuesday, April 1
Find your polling place
Right after Spring Break
Your vote matters:
Voter turnout in local school board elections is estimated to be around only 5-10%
National School Boards Association, 2008
The Public's Voice: Uncontested Candidates and Low Voter Turnout Are Concerns in Board Elections