CCSD 21 celebrates summer outreach and $19 million in renovations at start of school year

District leaders used the Aug. 21 board meeting to highlight summer outreach and large facilities work completed before the new school year, and to thank staff and community partners who supported events.

At a glance: staff reported that Literacy on the Lawn on July 28 drew more than 320 students and families; the district’s back‑to‑school bash on Aug. 7 distributed 519 backpacks and about 950 Kona Ice servings while staff counted 1,438 people with a handheld counter (staff said the true attendance was likely higher). District staff said they partnered with Indian Trails Public Library, Wheeling Park District, Walmart Vision, and other local organizations for events. The district also held a family 5K in cooperation with the Wheeling Chamber of Commerce and the Wheeling Police Foundation with roughly 60 runners.

Facilities work: district leaders said this summer included roughly $19,000,000 in renovation and construction work across the district, completed under a shorter‑than‑usual summer window. Staff credited maintenance, custodial, technology and operations teams, plus outside vendors, with preparing schools for reopening.

Why it matters: Outreach events aim to connect families with district services and supports (literacy nights, vision services and backpacks), while the renovation work relates to capital upkeep and readiness for instruction. Staff briefed the board on the human effort behind the logistics—custodial, maintenance, tech and print services—and recognized individual staff and volunteers during the meeting.

Discussion versus decision These were staff reports and recognitions; the board did not take formal action on the events or the capital work during the meeting. Staff asked several operations and tech staff to stand for recognition and thanked family‑liaison staff for outreach and registration support.

Clarifying details - Literacy on the Lawn (July 28): more than 320 participants. - Back‑to‑school bash (Aug. 7): 519 backpacks distributed; 950 Kona Ice servings distributed; counted 1,438 attendees (likely undercount); mariachi and folk dance entertainment; mascots, face painting, and photo booth. - Family 5K: approximately 60 runners; held with Wheeling Chamber and Wheeling Police Foundation. - Renovation work completed this summer: approximately $19,000,000 worth of projects across the district.

What’s next Staff said the events will become recurring annual efforts and recommended continued partnership building; no budgetary or contract actions were recorded during the Aug. 21 meeting.