A Message from the Superintendent

Dear Pennoyer Families,

It is with much sadness that I inform you of the following budget reductions. The Pennoyer Board of Education formally voted on these reductions at the January 17th Board of Education meeting:

Beginning Immediately:

• Leyden Norwood Athletic Sports - Starting this February (girls basketball, scholastic bowl, boys volleyball and girls soccer) and continuing indefinitely

Beginning at the start of the 2023-2024 School Year:

• Full day kindergarten will be reduced to half day 
• Any K - 5 grade cohort that has 38 or less kids will combine to 1 class.  This will impact next year’s 1st grade.
• Art and music classes will be eliminated
• Physical Education classes will be reduced 
• ESL services will be reduced
• Closing of the Media Center/Library 

Additionally, Registration fees will increase to $300 per student and the Technology Lease will increase to $100 per student and next year’s school day will end at 2:30 everyday (Monday through Friday) starting next school year.

This decision was not an easy one, but necessary in order to secure reserve money for the numerous building and life safety projects required at Pennoyer School. We have tried to accomplish as much as we could with our limited revenues, however, we have expended our reserves down below the desired threshold and can no longer fund the remaining projects. These reductions have been an ongoing conversation over the past 9 years when the first of 6 referendums failed.  Unfortunately, Pennoyer is unable to sustain its current programming and make the necessary building repairs without these reductions. 

I will be giving a short presentation and answering questions at the February 15th PTC sponsored event, which is at 6:00pm in the MPR.   You may also find the last two articles from the Chicago Tribune linked below, that talk about these reductions.

Norridge's Pennoyer D79 faces cuts after referendum loss_.pdf 

Norridge’s Pennoyer school plans to cut six teachers, sports, library, music after sixth referendum failed – Chicago Tribune.pdf 

Sincerely,

Kristin A. Kopta, Ed.D
Superintendent
Pennoyer School District 79