Dear Community Members,

As we prepare for the 2011-2012 school term we are embarking on an unprecedented time in the history of DeKalb CUSD 428.  This fall we will open a new high school off Dresser Road, the current high school will be transformed into Huntley Middle School, Malta Elementary will move into the present Wright Elementary and Huntley Middle School will be remodeled to serve as Founders Elementary.  The new Founders Elementary will be made up of students from Chesebro and Wright Elementary Schools and will be a Northern Illinois University Professional Development School.  Malta Elementary will retain their current name as they move into Wright Elementary.

There are some very exciting student learning opportunities that are being planned as we open our new schools in 2011-12.  The DHS staff has been working alongside the Northern Illinois University Outreach Program the past three years to design a Professional Development School that will establish a learning environment where our students will be expected to graduate from DHS prepared as World Class Learners.  Beginning next year DHS will be a closed campus and as a result we will gain approximately 30 minutes of additional learning time for our students.  The DHS Restructuring and School Improvement Team has designed an enrichment period for our students that will support their individual needs in math and literacy.  DeKalb CUSD 428 continues to be a leader in the county and state in the implementation of the Response to Intervention, a federal mandate that requires school districts to utilize student performance data to drive the decision-making process for improvements made in the core curriculum and instruction.

It is a very exciting time to be a community member, business owner, student, staff member and parent in DeKalb, Cortland and Malta, Illinois!  It is evident that the community of DeKalb has made public education a number one priority.  As the Superintendent of DeKalb CUSD 428 I believe we are making progress in all aspects of our school district.  I am proud of the hard work and commitment of our entire staff, administration and Board of Education and proud to be a part of the DeKalb Schools and Community.  Excellence in teaching and student learning is our number one priority.

 Sincerely,

Dr. James Briscoe, Superintendent