5 Critical Updates: What Des Plaines District 62 Parents MUST Know About The New Superintendent And $10 Million Deficit
Community Consolidated School District 62 (CCSD62) in Des Plaines, Illinois, is navigating a period of significant change and intense financial scrutiny as of December 2025. With a new leader at the helm and a formidable budget challenge to overcome, the focus for the 2025-2026 school year is squarely on fiscal stability, enhanced student support, and maintaining educational excellence for its more than 4,500 students. This deep dive provides parents and community members with the most critical, up-to-date information on the district's leadership, financial health, and key educational initiatives.
The district, which serves students primarily in Des Plaines and portions of Rosemont, has made major moves in the past year, from welcoming a familiar face as its new Superintendent to implementing a formal deficit reduction plan to address a multi-million dollar shortfall. Understanding these shifts is essential for anyone invested in the future of the 12 schools that make up the D62 community.
New Leadership: Superintendent Michael Amadei and the D62 Board of Education
The biggest leadership news for Des Plaines District 62 is the appointment of its new Superintendent, Dr. Michael Amadei. Dr. Amadei is a familiar and trusted face within the D62 community, having previously served as the district's assistant superintendent for human resources. His transition to the top leadership role marks a commitment to internal continuity and a deep understanding of the district's unique challenges and strengths.
Dr. Amadei officially took the reins from former Superintendent Paul E. Hertel, bringing with him a wealth of experience in staff development and operational management. His leadership is crucial as the district tackles complex issues, most notably its budget crisis and the continued refinement of student support systems.
The 2025-2026 District 62 Board of Education
The Board of Education provides oversight and strategic direction for the district. As of the 2025-2026 school year, the Board is led by President Liz Massa. The Board holds regular meetings, typically beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room of Forest Elementary School, where major decisions like budget adoption and curriculum revisions are made. The Board's actions in 2025 have centered heavily on ensuring a fiscally responsible path forward while prioritizing student well-being and academic achievement.
The $10 Million Budget Crisis: Understanding the Deficit Reduction Plan
The most pressing issue facing Des Plaines District 62 is its financial health. Preliminary financial results for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY2025) revealed a significant challenge: a nearly $10 million deficit. This substantial shortfall has necessitated immediate and strategic financial planning to ensure the long-term viability of the district's operations and educational programs.
In response, the Board of Education approved the new budget for 2026 and implemented a formal deficit reduction plan. This plan was successful in immediately lowering the overall deficit by $1.9 million as part of the initial budget adoption process. The commitment to a deficit reduction plan signals a clear intent to stabilize the district's finances over the coming years, though the process is ongoing and will require continued monitoring and tough decisions.
Parents should be aware that the district also carries long-term school debt, which adds another layer of complexity to its financial management. Transparency regarding the FY2025 Adopted Budget and annual financial reports is maintained on the district's website, allowing the community to track the progress of the financial recovery.
Academic and Emotional Focus: SEL, MTSS, and Curriculum Refinements
Despite the financial headwinds, District 62 continues to place a high priority on supporting the "Whole Child," a core philosophy that integrates academic, social, and emotional development. The 2025-2026 school year is defined by significant refinements to key student support frameworks:
- Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): The district has continued to widen its SEL supports for all students. D62 utilizes the established Second Step program as its primary resource to address social-emotional and behavioral needs across its schools. This program helps students develop crucial skills like empathy, problem-solving, and emotional regulation.
- Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS): CCSD62 is actively refining its MTSS framework. MTSS is a proactive and preventative framework that uses data to match academic and behavioral interventions to the needs of every student. This refinement ensures that students who are struggling receive targeted support quickly, while those who are excelling are appropriately challenged.
- Curriculum Focus: The D62 Science Curriculum continues its focus on scientific inquiry, encouraging students to understand the natural world through hands-on exploration and critical thinking. Curriculum revision recommendations are regularly brought before the Board of Education to ensure all programs remain current and effective.
The 12 Schools of District 62: Key Entities and Community Highlights
District 62 operates 11 schools and one pre-K early learning center, serving students from kindergarten through 8th grade. The district's structure includes two middle schools and ten elementary schools, all of which share a unified school year end date, a decision made by the Board of Education in January 2025.
List of D62 Schools (K-8)
The two middle schools serving the district are:
- Algonquin Middle School
- Chippewa Middle School
The elementary schools (Kindergarten through 5th Grade) include:
- Central Elementary School
- Cumberland Elementary School
- Forest Elementary School
- North Elementary School
- Orchard Place Elementary School
- Plainfield Elementary School
- South Elementary School
- Terrace Elementary School
- Iroquois Community School
Beyond the classroom, the district continues to foster a strong community spirit. In May 2025, D62 launched its first Special Olympics team, demonstrating a commitment to inclusive extracurricular activities. Furthermore, the district recognized the winners of its annual Winter Card Contest in November 2025, highlighting student creativity and community engagement. Ongoing projects, such as the installation of new playgrounds, are also a focus, aiming to provide welcome additions for both the Des Plaines and Rosemont communities.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Des Plaines Schools
The next few years will be pivotal for Des Plaines District 62. Under the leadership of Dr. Michael Amadei, the district's success will be measured by its ability to execute the deficit reduction plan while simultaneously enhancing the educational experience. The continued investment in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and the refinement of the MTSS program are clear indicators that student well-being remains a central priority. The community’s engagement, particularly in following the Board of Education's financial updates and supporting new initiatives like the Special Olympics team, will be vital in ensuring D62 maintains its commitment to academic excellence and a supportive environment for all its students.
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