Hubbard Woods Elementary will open an additional kindergarten section this fall after enrollment crossed the district's class-size threshold, according to minutes from a special Winnetka District 36 school board meeting held Monday, July 13.

The added classroom comes as District 36 launches full-day kindergarten for the first time in the 2026-27 school year. Superintendent Dr. Kelly Tess and school leaders had flagged shifting enrollment at the board's Tuesday, May 19 regular meeting, when the administration told trustees it would "continue to track summer registration numbers closely ahead of the next school board meeting." By July 13, Hubbard Woods had enough incoming kindergarteners to trigger what the minutes call a "popped" section at the school on West Chatfield Road.

All seven board members convened at 9:02 a.m. for the special session, which lasted eight minutes with no public comment. Board President Dan Waters presided. The board discussed the enrollment update alongside early childhood programming and social-emotional learning staffing needs.

Five certified positions remain open

The July 13 minutes note that five certified positions across the district still need to be filled for the coming school year. The minutes do not specify which subjects, grade levels, or buildings those openings are in, and it is unclear whether this pace of summer hiring is unusual for the district. Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Jeff Knapp oversees recruitment. North Shore Weekly was unable to reach Knapp or Dr. Tess for comment on the hiring timeline.

The board approved a personnel report covering new hires and resignations of both certified and classified staff. It also approved a separate resignation agreement; Vice President Alyssa Rapp and Secretary Marena Rudy abstained from that vote. The minutes do not disclose employee names for either action.

What families should know

The district's Kindergarten Connection orientation for incoming students is scheduled for August, prior to the first day of school. Families can check the approved 2026-27 calendar and registration details at winnetka36.org.

Summer renovation work at Hubbard Woods, approved at the May 19 meeting through FGM Architects, was already underway as of that vote.

Reporting gap

The full personnel report and resignation agreement approved July 13 have not been posted publicly on BoardDocs as of Tuesday, July 15. Residents can request these documents through a FOIA request to District 36's superintendent's office at winnetka36.org. The next regular board meeting has not been confirmed in published materials; regular meetings are typically held on the third or fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:15 p.m. at Carleton Washburne School, 515 Hibbard Road.