Power Outage Update: SEP 13, 2024

September 13, 2024
12:00 p.m.

Dear Skokie 73.5 Families:

We hope this message finds you and your family well. Thank you for your continued patience with the unexpected pivot to remote learning on Friday, September 13 due to the electrical service outage at McCracken Middle School. We recognize it is not easy for any family to adapt to this shift on such short notice. Our decision to pivot to remote learning at McCracken was necessary to ensure the safety of our students and staff. 

At approximately 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 12, we learned the electricity had gone out at McCracken Middle School. We immediately contacted our electrical service providers. They were not able to give a precise time when service would be restored. ComEd began working to investigate the issue at 11:30 p.m. 

At 12:36 a.m. on Friday, September 13, we announced through our district communication channels that we would be closing McCracken Middle School and activating our remote learning plan on Friday, September 13 due to the power outage. We also sent email communication to McCracken families at 5:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. which included our remote learning information for students. Robocall communication to McCracken families was also sent on Friday morning. 

Electrical providers discovered a faulty transformer located near McCracken and worked through the night to make needed repairs. One electrical transformer has been completely replaced. At this time, the power at McCracken Middle School has been completely restored and is being monitored along with our building automation system (BAS) throughout the day to ensure stability and consistent power. 

We have worked with our electrical support providers to assess the continued power issues impacting our district. At this time we believe the replacement of the damaged transformer will lead to consistent power and operation of building systems at McCracken. 

Power at McCracken Middle School has been fully restored. McCracken will open and operate on their normal in-person schedule on Monday, September 16, 2024. Bus service will operate at normal times and all before and after school programming will run as scheduled.

FOR McCRACKEN STUDENTS AND FAMILIES:

• McCracken Middle School students will have in-person school on Monday, September 16, 2024.
• Students are expected to attend school at McCracken Middle School following their normal daily schedule.
• Bus service will run at the regular times.
• Before- and after-school activities will run as scheduled.
• McCracken doors open at 7:50 a.m. for school which starts promptly at 8:00 a.m.

We look forward to welcoming McCracken Middle School students back into our buildings on Monday, September 16, 2024. 

This situation has posed numerous challenges for our district’s families, students, and staff for several weeks. We are grateful for your flexibility and patience as we worked with our electrical service providers to resolve this service outage.

Sincerely,

Dr. Zipporah Hightower
Superintendent