The following comes from Lake Forest School Districts 67 and 115.

Dr. Harry Griffith, Superintendent of Schools for Lake Forest School Districts 67 and 115, has announced his retirement, effective July 2012. Dr. Griffith comments, “I now look forward to the next chapter in my life — devoting more time to my wife and family, my friends and to our recent addition, our baby granddaughter.” Dr. Griffith came to Lake Forest District 67 in July 1994 from Baytown, Texas.

In July 2004, his responsibilities were expanded through an innovative “Shared Services” model. Dr. Griffith serves as Superintendent of two school districts, a unique model in schools across the nation. This groundbreaking model offers the school community a top-quality, articulated K-12 educational system while significantly reducing administrative expenditures each of the past six years.

Under Dr. Griffith’s leadership, District 67 and 115 test scores have risen to record levels; additionally an emotional wellness initiative was implemented addressing the needs of the whole child. Algebra for All was developed and instituted, bringing 90% of all 8th grade students to Algebra mastery. During Dr. Griffith’s tenure the districts established a comprehensive curriculum review cycle, experienced record numbers of National Merit Scholars, and have established “Problem Solving Teams” and “Core Teams” to meet the needs of each student. Dr. Griffith’s credentials also include being selected as one of the nation’s top 50 exemplary school superintendents.

During Dr. Griffith’s tenure, District 67 schools completed over $25 million dollars in renovations and upgrades without a referendum by using non-traditional funding sources (grants, donations, cost-saving measures, etc.). Similarly, the Lake Forest High School community endorsed a $54 million dollar referendum by a two to one margin, the largest referendum and margin in the history of the community. This broad community support kept LFHS academically competitive by providing enhanced and additional science labs, classrooms, updated technology, expanded research and study areas, and improved school safety and security.

Additionally, the West Campus was resurrected and reinvigorated to now include a Shared Services Administrative Center, Teacher Training Facility, Preschool, and a new Varsity athletic field. The Special Education District of Lake County (SEDOL) leases a portion of this building for a K-8 program and will provide over $9 million in upgrades and revenues to the district over a 20-year period. Additionally, the Citadel Theatre now calls West Campus home and has updated the black box theater that will also be used by district students and community members.

Shared Services has grown over the past few years and now provides additional benefits to Lake Bluff Elementary District with a shared leadership in curriculum and instruction. In addition, the Lake Forest Schools and The City of Lake Forest operate a unique extension of the Shared Services partnership to reduce costs in a variety of areas and realize mutual benefits. This was most recently exemplified in the completion of a Wide Area Network System that provides unprecedented technology resources to both the city and schools in a cost-effective manner.

On the community front, Dr. Griffith has served as past president of the Lake Forest Historical Society and the CROYA Adult Board, served on the ELAWA Commission, and on the boards of the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management and the Rotary Club of Lake Forest-Lake Bluff.

District 67 Board President Julia Wold comments, “As a community, we are very fortunate to have had Dr. Griffith leading our school district for the past 16 years. His consistent, collaborative approach utilizing committees to include all stakeholders – teachers, staff, parents, administrators, community members and school board members – in the decision making process has served us very well. I am confident the continuous improvement cycle implemented by Dr. Griffith will continue to improve our educational systems for years to come.”

Lake Forest High School Board President Sharon Golan comments, “I have been fortunate to have served with Dr. Griffith since he first arrived in Lake Forest in 1994. By working closely with the school boards, educational professionals, and members of the community notable improvements have been made in both school districts. During Harry’s tenure, we have revised our curriculum, improved our learning standards and programs, and enhanced all of our school facilities. As we seek a new superintendent of schools, the community can be assured we will implement a process, which will involve all school stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition.”

The following is a letter from Marty Priess, executive director of Gorton Community Center:

July 26, 2010

Today I am announcing that I will step down from my position of Gorton Community Center’s Executive Director, effective July 31, 2010. I will, of course, work with the Board’s leadership to assist with a smooth transfer of my responsibilities.

This decision has been difficult and it is bittersweet, as I am still committed to this special place and the unique role it plays in our community. I will remain forever grateful for the joy Gorton has brought to me and my family over the past 26 years.

The recent economic environment has not been kind to nonprofit organizations, and our Community Center is no exception. However, Gorton is about to begin a new chapter in its history and deserves new leadership. I will remain a fervent advocate for all the good work that goes on here by staff, volunteers and other stakeholders. I wish the Board much success with all the opportunities on the horizon. I encourage the Board to continue pursuing partnerships with the City of Lake Forest and others for long-term vitality and progress.

Finally, I am thankful for the opportunity to serve Gorton as Executive Director, I have learned much and my life has been truly enriched by this place and its constituents.

Marty Preiss
Executive Director

The following is a letter from Stevie Romanoff Boggess, chairwoman of the Gorton Board of Directors, which she posted on the Gorton website and shared with GazeboNews on Tuesday:

July 27, 2010

To all Individuals Who are Concerned and Love Gorton Community Center,

First, let me assure you Gorton remains open to all tenants and program users along with all facility rentals.

Our community center is at an important juncture in its history. Many factors have contributed to this situation. Gorton has always run efficiently with a limited and dedicated staff on a very conservative budget. However, current economic conditions have severely strained the facility’s operations.

Over the last three years, there has been a significant reduction of user fee revenue along with a decline in the enrollment and use of Gorton Children’s Drop-In Center, performing arts programs, special events and classes. Today, Gorton has very little left in the way of cash reserves.

On July 13, 2010, the Gorton Board of Directors held an emergency meeting and unanimously pledged its commitment to the institution to develop and implement a viable business model ensuring Gorton’s sustainability for generations to come.

Specifically, the board established taskforces to reevaluate and rejuvenate Gorton’s programs and services. The taskforces are dedicated to the Children’s Drop-in Center, tenants and facility leasing, programs and marketing. Maintaining operations of the Gorton Children’s Drop-In Center is of utmost importance.

The Board of Directors recognizes that it cannot solve all the issues that Gorton faces alone. The community’s input and expertise are welcomed as Gorton’s new business model is developed and implemented.

At the same meeting, the Board also voted to make an immediate appeal to the community for $250,000 in cash donations. Due to the financial urgency of the situation, a donation deadline of August 5, 2010, was selected. Is that deadline set in stone? No. But, a major cash injection for working capital is needed and very quickly.

Since that July 13 emergency meeting, many residents, local businesses and other community organizations have voiced their concern, disappointment but most importantly, support for Gorton Community Center.

Similarly, the City of Lake Forest has pledged its support to work with Gorton to keep it operational. In a July 22 Lake Forester article, Mayor Jim Cowhey was quoted as saying to the council, “the city is dedicated to the mission of Gorton.”

To the countless individuals, many organizations, along with City of Lake Forest council members and staff, THANK YOU for your support of and pledges to Gorton Community Center.

And thank you to everyone near and far who has helped spread the word about this situation through letters and editorials, printed articles, e-mails and blog entries.

But right now, Gorton needs your financial support. No donations is too small or too large. Every contribution counts and will make a significant difference.

What can you do?

1 Write a check payable to Gorton Community Center, deliver or mail it to Gorton at 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest, IL, 60045.

OR make a contribution through (the Gorton) website: www.gortoncenter.org.

Click the “SUPPORT US” tab at the top of Gorton’s home webpage and then select “Support Gorton”.

If you would like to earmark your gift for operational support of the Gorton Children’s Drop-In Center (DIC), please send us a check and make the notation, “FOR the DIC”, on the memo line of your check. At the moment, contributions made through the Gorton website cannot be earmarked for the DIC but we’ll work on that.

Please remember all donations are fully tax deductable.

2. Join the Friends of Gorton fundraiser on Thursday evening, August 5, at the Grille of Lake Forest. Details of the wonderful evening and reservations are found on www.gortoncenter.org. Thanks to our Friends of Gorton board for coming to the rescue!

3. Volunteer your time and expertise to help shape the future of Gorton Community Center. In the days ahead, more information will be forthcoming as to how you can volunteer to benefit Gorton.

4.  Keep spreading the word and Gorton’s mission: “Enriching the lives of individuals through cultural arts, education and charitable service.”

On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you for your time, attention and support.

We promise to keep you posted on Gorton’s events and progress.

Sincerely,

Stevie Romanoff Boggess
Gorton Board of Directors, Chair

Village officials have been working with the state Department of Natural Resources since May to find a suitable place to relocate the “Lake Bluff turkey,” but wide-reaching publicity and strong affection for the wild bird have hobbled all of the plans to date.

“This bird was a topic of humor, but that’s long since gone away,” Lake Bluff Police Chief William Gallagher said at Monday night’s Village Board of Trustees meeting.

(Mid-story footnote: GazeboNews broke the turkey story on May 9; click here to read it. Soon after that story ran, the Chicago Tribune was on the case, followed by the Pioneer Press and just about every Chicago TV station. The bird also has its own Facebook page, Flickr slideshow and YouTube videos.)

“What has occurred is that everyone is overly cautious about what needs to be done,” said Chief Gallagher, who considers the bird a serious traffic hazard.

Chief Gallagher said that when police first reported the wild turkey to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the officers were told to euthanize the bird.

“We said that’s not going to be the greatest idea,” the Chief reported. “There are too many folks who are fond of it. So DNR said they needed to do research to find out what we can do with it. They came back and said, ‘If you have a location, have them come and get it.’ ”

A spokeswoman for the state DNR told GazeboNews that her agency issued a permit to Lake Bluff on June 2, allowing an employee of the Village to remove or euthanize the turkey.

Lake Bluff police conferred with local wildlife centers and farms, including Elawa Farm in Lake Forest. Chief Gallagher said the farmers initially were warm to the idea of housing the turkey, but that they balked after realizing the amount of paper work they would need to fill out and licenses they would need to obtain.

Then Lambs Farm got involved. Lots of people thought this was a great idea, seeing as the property is due west on busy Route 176, a road that the turkey seems to really like.

“But the DNR was concerned about problems (since Lambs is not public land), so they kicked it to Springfield. Springfield said the turkey has to be captured and turned over to DNR who will release it on state property,” said the police chief.

Lake Bluff was ready to move. It contacted a firm called ABC Wildlife, which makes a living relocating wild animals. But like the farmers, the company got cold feet when it learned about the publicity and red tape surrounding the bird.

Other questions surfaced and were debated: is the turkey really wild? Should the turkey be trapped or given an anesthetic? If the latter, how much?

It doesn’t look like the issue of what to with Jeff will be resolved in the immediate future. Chief Gallagher told the board that on Tuesday, July 27, the state DNR will set down a permit to relocate the animal. “But they’re still not comfortable so they’re trying to make sure they have clearance with federal authorities,” he added.

Rail riders take note: Your commute is going to change beginning Aug. 21. Please read the following information, which was submitted by Metra:

CHICAGO — Metra will be holding three open house forums over the next two weeks to provide Union Pacific North line riders with information about a major bridge reconstruction project that will require changes to the UP North schedule starting August 21.

The open houses will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on July 29 at the Waukegan City Hall, 100 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.; August 2 at the Lake Forest City Hall, 220 E. Deerpath Rd.; and Aug. 4 at the Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Ave.

The $185-million project calls for replacing 22 aging bridges on the north side of Chicago over the next eight years. The first phase, from 2010-2014, will include 11 bridges between Grace and Balmoral. It will also include a new Ravenswood Station. The second phase, from 2014 to 2018, will cover the remaining bridges between Fullerton and Cornelia.

Because the bridge replacement and related work on retaining walls will require inbound and outbound trains to operate on a single track in the construction zone, the UP North schedule will be adjusted starting August 21. Trains will stop at all stations along the line at different times, although the travel times will either stay the same or be a maximum of two minutes longer. Some busier stations will see more stops. In some cases, new express service will provide a shorter trip.

The schedule changes have been made because currently, trains traveling north and trains traveling south pass each other, or “meet,” near the Ravenswood Station. Since there will now be a single track in that area, the schedule has to be adjusted so that they pass each other outside the construction area. Those “meets” will now occur near Rogers Park and the Clybourn area.

UP North riders can also view more information about the project and see the proposed new schedule at www.metrarail.com.

The annual Historic Market Square Sidewalk Sale is coming up this Friday and Saturday, July 30-31. Merchants in and near Market Square will load sidewalk tables with great deals. Hours are the regular store hours–please visit www.historicmarketsquare.com.