La Grange families returning from spring break learned this week that their school district is building something new: a D102 Educational Foundation designed to bring community-wide investment into the schools in a way that existing parent groups cannot.

A Foundation to Fill a Community Gap

The foundation, which the district said it has been working toward since its 2024 Strategic Planning process, would operate alongside — not instead of — the PTOs and PTCs already active at each school. The announcement came in the district's April 14 newsletter, where Superintendent Dr. Chris Covino wrote that the two structures are meant to be complementary.

The district noted that D102 is currently one of a few school districts in the area without such a foundation. Neighboring Western Springs School District 101 is among those that already have one.

"Having an Education Foundation for D102 raises awareness and engagement between our schools and our community, which enables us to support educational initiatives, foster innovation in our schools, and secure long-term sustainability," the district said in the newsletter.

For families, the foundation represents a new channel for community members to invest in D102 programs and priorities.

What's Next

In order to help decide which goals and priorities the Foundation will support, D102 has created a survey for the community. If you want to make your voice heard, you can find it at https://lagrange.edurooms.com/engage/lagrange-district-102/newsletters/april-district-newsletter-2026.