The District hosted a formal grand opening and ribbon-cutting celebration on Friday, August 8, to officially open Dr. Leroy A. Mitchell Elementary School at 1240 Normal Rd., DeKalb. More than 300 guests attended, including several family members, friends, and colleagues of the new school's namesake, Dr. Leroy A. Mitchell, city and elected officials, D428 staff, and fellow area educators. Dr. Mitchell served for 28 years as the Director of the Counseling, Help and Assistance Necessary for a College Education (CHANCE) program at Northern Illinois University, where he helped more than 12,000 students who showed a drive to succeed but did not have the funds for a college education successfully earn degrees.

Dr. Mitchell is a highly respected and beloved leader in the community. In addition to his dedication to ensuring students succeed in college and beyond, he is also the founding pastor and pastor emeritus of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, DeKalb's first predominantly African American congregation.

Mr. Billy Hueramo, D428 director of teaching and learning (pre-k-5), led the ceremony, which featured remarks from Superintendent Dr. Minerva Garcia-Sanchez, Board of Education President Christopher Boyes, Meta Community Development Manager Tara Tenorio, Dr. Mitchell, and Mayor Cohen Barnes, who presented Dr. Mitchell with a proclamation from the city of DeKalb declaring Friday, August 8, 2025, as Dr. Leroy A. Mitchell Day.

The ceremony also featured a touching video tribute to Dr. Mitchell's enduring legacy of education and leadership in his more than 40 years as a community member and the unveiling of a namesake wall mural in the building's main entryway.

On Saturday, August 9, Mitchell Elementary welcomed a steady crowd of students, families, neighbors, and community members for an open house that included tours of the new school, free hot dogs and hamburgers, a chance to freshen up with a haircut or braids, and a chance to meet teachers and school staff.

Principal Maurice McDavid shared in an interview with The Daily Chronicle about the grand opening, "We definitely feel prepared to have students arrive, to get here safely, to be here safely, to leave here safely. We've got curriculum. We've got everything ready to roll. So, we're ready!"

We look forward to more opportunities to welcome community to Mitchell Elementary, along with all schools throughout the District in the coming school year.

Photos: Top to bottom: The ribbon cutting to officially open Mitchell Elementary School.

Dr. Mitchell addresses the audience during the school's grand opening with Board President Boyes looking on.

More than 300 guests attended the grand opening celebration on Friday, August 8.

A young person takes time to read about Dr. Mitchell at the mural installed in the main entrance way of the school.