Glenbard District 87's Board of Education convened its first meeting of the 2026-27 school year Monday, Aug. 10, just two days before students returned to all four high schools.
The meeting agenda listed discussion items, action items, information items and a school recognition segment. Full minutes had not been posted as of Wednesday, Aug. 12.
The session comes as the district navigates a projected $2.63 million net operating deficit for the current school year. According to July 29 board meeting minutes, Chief School Business Official Dr. Seth Chapman presented a tentative budget showing $199.95 million in operating revenue against $199.78 million in expenditures. That produces a slim $168,521 gross surplus, but a required $2.8 million transfer from the Operations & Maintenance Fund to Debt Service for the district's ARS bond payment flips the bottom line to red.
Chapman told the board the budget still fully funds all staff and program needs for 2026-27.
Dual credit expansion
Also on the board's radar: a major expansion of dual credit offerings with College of DuPage. Beginning in Fall 2027, 11 new courses will grow the district's catalog from 14 to 25 dual credit options worth 81 credit hours. Through the Glenbard College Core, students could earn up to 37 transferable general education credits, completing roughly 48% of an associate degree before graduation.
Tentative plans for Fall 2028 include dual credit statistics and calculus courses, which would be the first dual credit advanced math offerings in DuPage County.
Construction at all four campuses
Work funded by the district's $183 million capital referendum, approved by voters in April 2024, is active at all four schools heading into the new year. At Glenbard East in Lombard, projects include administration and cafe additions, classroom renovations and a parking lot expansion that has already added 110 spaces, with 30 more planned for 2027. The Village of Lombard announced on Instagram that student parking near Glenbard East is shifting from Wilson Avenue to the expanded campus lots as part of an intergovernmental agreement with the district.
Glenbard West in Glen Ellyn is getting classroom and commons additions, science room renovations and a partial roof replacement. Glenbard North in Carol Stream has gym floor refinishing, science renovations and a music wing addition underway. Glenbard South is seeing first-floor classroom renovations, science upgrades and a new accessible lift.
Construction manager Jeremy Roling of Gilbane presented the capital update alongside Chapman at the July 29 meeting. Board members present that night included President Hetal Lee, Tod Altenburg, Jay Bastian, James Shannon and Pete Nolan.
New year kicks off
Superintendent Jessica Santee published a welcome-back message to families on Aug. 10. At an all-staff kickoff event the same day, Santee framed the year around showing up for every student, every educator and the entire community.
The Policy Committee's next scheduled meeting is Monday, Aug. 24. Families can submit public comment at www.dupage88.net/BoardMeetingCard, with up to 60 minutes allocated for public participation at each regular meeting.
