Waukegan board renews $90,000 safety and security consulting agreement with RJ Harris & Associates

The Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 Board of Education voted to renew a safety and security consulting agreement with RJ Harris & Associates at an estimated annual cost of $90,000.

Supporters of the renewal told the board the firm has provided building vulnerability assessments, gang awareness and de-escalation training, crossing guard instruction, traffic-control studies and committee support for the district's safety committee. Operations staff said the firm also helped bridge discussions with the Waukegan Police Department and provided coaching for the district's safety administration.

Board Member Hannah pressed for documentation of the consultants' credentials and asked whether those credentials could be shared with the board. In response, operations staff provided a list of current or past RJ Harris clients in the public record, saying — as read into the record — "current clients, Baker Hughes, Baxter, BGE, Blue Chip, City of North Chicago, City of Waukegan, ComEd, Consumers Credit Union, Exelon, Metra, United Conveyor Corporation, Waukegan Police Department, IlliniCare Health." The district said consultants working under RJ Harris, including Chief Wayne Walls, will deliver much of the on-site training.

Board members split in the discussion; several members said outside expertise had helped advance safety planning and police-district collaboration, while others said they wanted clearer documentation of credentials and an assessment of overlapping services. After discussion the board approved the renewal on a roll call with six members voting yes and one member voting no.

The board directed the administration to continue reporting on the firm's work and to provide requested documentation of consultant qualifications.

Ending: The renewal was approved and district staff will provide additional credential and scope documentation for the board's review.