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Waukegan board approves amendment to superintendent contract after divided debate
Summary
The Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 Board of Education voted 6-1 to adopt Amendment No. 17 to the superintendent's performance-based contract, certifying a 'satisfactory' evaluation despite sharp criticism from some board members about academics, staff morale and HR practices.
The Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 Board of Education approved Amendment No. 17 to the superintendent's performance-based contract, certifying a 'satisfactory' evaluation in a 6-1 roll-call vote on April 22, 2025.
The item formalized the board's completion of the evaluation tool the board had previously agreed to and memorialized the numerical results. Board President Ewing said he had "literally took up the numbers, added to find the average," and that the board was acting to record the results of that agreed process.
The vote came after an extended public statement and a detailed, dissenting explanation from Board Member Anna, who said she would "qualify my vote of opposition to a satisfactory rating" and read a prepared statement listing concerns including falling student academic performance, a "toxic environment" and what she described as high staff turnover and repeated HR complaints. Anna cited specifics in the board record, including declines in reading and math scores and what she described as recurring litigation and grievances, and argued the evaluation was "incomplete."
Other board members framed the action differently: several said they respected the superintendent's service and noted improvements in specified areas while acknowledging the district still faces significant challenges. Board members repeatedly emphasized that the item before them was to certify the outcome of the agreed evaluation tool, not to substitute a new appraisal method midstream.
The board's adoption of Amendment No. 17 authorizes the board president to execute the contract amendment. The motion passed on a roll call of six votes in favor and one opposed.
The board discussed next steps, including inviting the incoming board to review evaluation goals and consider revisions to how future evaluations and goal-setting will be handled. Several members urged earlier and more rigorous goal-setting for the coming year.
The board did not alter contract compensation or publish new performance goals in the action before it; the amendment recorded the evaluation result and directed staff to include the document in the superintendent's personnel record.
Notes: The board's discussion included references to academic outcome measures, HR complaints, and staff morale. Board members advised the incoming board to begin the next goal-setting cycle promptly.
Ending: The amendment passed 6-1. Board members said the incoming board will be able to set new priorities and evaluate how the district measures progress going forward.
