Kendall County has incredible schools, but they shouldn’t have to do everything on their own.
Our five school districts (Yorkville 115, Oswego 308, Plano 88, Newark 66, and Lisbon 90) are working hard to support students and families in the face of rising needs. But the reality is, schools are being asked to do more with less. Mental health concerns are growing. Access to services is uneven and our teachers and school staff are stretched too thin.
This is where the county can and should play a more active role.
A County-Led Task force with Real Purpose
I’m proposing the creation of a county-level task force focused on building stronger partnerships between the county and our public school districts. This group would:
- Monitor available state and federal grants that support student mental health, school-based services, and community programs
- Identify eligibility criteria and deadlines
- Report regularly to the county board with clear recommendations
The goal is simple – help our schools go after every dollar that can make a difference.
Built With the Community, Not Just For It
The task force would also be empowered to form subcommittees with each school district. These subcommittees would include educators, parents, administrators, and community members to:
- Share the workload of reviewing grant opportunities
- Provide input on which grants should be pursued
- Increase transparency and build public trust
This structure ensures decisions aren’t made behind closed doors or stalled unnecessarily by inaction. It brings the community into the process early, and helps prevent missed opportunities.
Why This Matters
Right now, many of our districts are operating in the red, despite real efforts by local boards to reduce unnecessary spending. Budgets are tight, and the need is high.
Grant funding won’t solve every problem. However, when used wisely, it can ease the burden on schools, give students better access to support, and reduce the pressure to raise local taxes.
If we want to take education seriously in Kendall County, we need to start treating it like a shared responsibility. That means building smart partnerships and listening to residents.
CHAMBERLIN 4 CHANGE 