Attendance: Rotarians in-person: 15, and Rotarians on zoom: 7 (Wes, Marie, Bob, Amy, Liz, Laura, Sylvia).
Thought of the Day: Rich Lalley offered an impromptu classic: It is better to give than to receive.
Announcements:
- Barb Tubekis would like volunteers for ‘Make a Difference Day’ on Saturday, 10/23.
- Bill Leske prepped us for the District Governor visit on Thursday, 10/28.
Happy Bucks:
- Patti Van Cleave thanked Joe Fell for unpacking the new flagpole holder, and Patti in turn was thanked for donating the holder to the Club.
- Rich thanked Joe Nash and his committee for organizing the Operation Warm concert held on Friday, 10/15.
Speakers from The Winnetka Public Schools District 36 (K-8 grade): Dr. Trisha Kocanda, Superintendent of The Winnetka Public Schools, led a discussion about how the District continued education through Covid. Last school year most of the students went to school for 50% of each school day on an AM/PM hybrid model. Families were offered a fully remote option, but only 7% chose to stay home, while 93% of Winnetka families chose the hybrid model.
Brad Goldstein, Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer, then spoke about District finances. The four-year average increase in expenditures for the operating budget increased by an average of 2.7% per year. The District also spent $14.1 million from their fund balances to address some of the issues that would have been covered by the school referendum that did not pass. It is possible for the school District to propose a new referendum for the November 2022 ballot, but that will not be decided until February of 2022.