Waukegan board approves multiple contract renewals, training purchases and transportation agreement; details and votes

Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 board members approved a series of vendor renewals, professional-development contracts, facility expenditures and a transportation agreement during their Jan. 28 meeting, voting on items ranging from $6,855 in emergency life-safety repairs to hundreds of thousands of dollars for student transportation and training.

The board approved renewal contracts and purchases including: Amplify Education reading assessments ($83,020); Pearson (formerly Edulastic) Pair assessment for 6-12 math ($49,700); TI-84 online graphing calculator licenses for Chromebooks ($42,700); emergency Oakdale Elementary water-main repairs ($6,855); Frontline Professional Growth subscription ($53,328.23); science tables for Lewis Middle School ($32,643); a multi-year GLA D (GLAD) teacher training pilot ($280,000 for school year 2025–26, as amended on the record); a pilot partnership with WestEd’s Formative Insights team (not to exceed $31,250); a one-year transportation agreement with Special Education Systems Inc. for students placed at Menta North (retroactive to July 1, 2024, estimated $422,000); and the purchase of Renaissance/“DNA” assessment/learning tools for 2025–26 (amount not specified in the meeting record). The board also approved a waiver of facility-use fees for a family funeral visitation at Waukegan High School’s Washington campus and concurred with the superintendent’s modification of a mandatory expulsion to five days out-of-school suspension and an individualized safety plan for a student referenced as xxx641.

Why it matters: The package includes recurring instructional platforms, professional development and student-support contracts that affect classroom instruction, special education transportation and facilities maintenance. The transportation agreement and emergency repairs carry immediate operational impact; the GLAD and WestEd contracts reflect district investments in teacher training and implementation support.

Key details and outcomes (Votes at a glance):

- Amplify Education reading assessment renewal — Motion to approve (motion by Mr. Bridal; second by Mr. Riddle). Roll call: Fabian: Yes; Gonzales: Yes; Riddle: Yes; Hannah: Yes; Lensing: Yes; Ewing (president): Yes. Outcome: Approved. Amount: $83,020 (as stated in agenda).

- Pair assessment (formerly Edulastic) 6–12 math renewal — Motion to approve (motion by Ms. Riddle; second by Ms. Gonzales). Roll call: Fabian: Yes; Gonzales: Yes; Riddle: Yes; Hannah: Yes; Lensing: Yes; Ewing: Yes. Outcome: Approved. Amount: $49,700.

- TI-84 online graphing calculator licenses for Chromebooks — Motion to approve (motion by Mr. Bridal; second by Ms. Gonzales). Roll call: Fabian: Yes; Gonzales: Yes; Riddle: Yes; Hannah: Yes; Lensing: Yes; Ewing: Yes. Outcome: Approved. Amount: $42,700.

- Emergency life-safety funds for Oakdale Elementary water-main repairs — Motion to approve (motion by Ms. Fabian; second by Mr. Riddle). Roll call: Fabian: Yes; Gonzales: Yes; Riddle: Yes; Hannah: Yes; Lensing: Yes; Ewing: Yes. Outcome: Approved. Estimated cost: $6,855. Meeting discussion clarified the water main was district-owned.

- Frontline Professional Growth subscription renewal — Motion to approve (motion by Mr. Riddle). Roll call: Fabian: Yes; Gonzales: Yes; Riddle: Yes; Hannah: Yes; Lensing: Yes; Ewing: Yes. Outcome: Approved. Amount: $53,328.23. Dr. Frank (presenter) stated 100% of staff have access and use the product for PD and compliance tracking.

- Purchase of science tables for Lewis Middle School — Motion to approve (motion by Mr. Bridal; second by Ms. Gonzales). Roll call: Fabian: Yes; Gonzales: Yes; Riddle: Yes; Hannah: Yes; Lensing: Yes; Ewing: Yes. Outcome: Approved. Amount: $32,643.

- GLAD (Guided Language Acquisition Design) training purchase for school year 2025–26 — Motion to approve, amended on the record to specify fiscal year/school year (motion by Mr. Riddle; second by Ms. Fabian). Roll call: Fabian: Yes; Gonzales: Yes; Riddle: Yes; Hannah: Yes; Lensing: Yes; Ewing: Yes. Outcome: Approved. Amount stated in agenda: $280,000. Administration described GLAD as multi-module PD aligned with literacy priorities; board asked for participation and outcome data in later presentations.

- WestEd formative-insights pilot contract (staff PD) — Motion to approve (motion by Mr. Riddle; second by Ms. Lindsey). Roll call: Fabian: Yes; Gonzales: Hesitantly Yes; Riddle: Yes; Hannah: Yes; Lensing: Yes; Ewing: Yes. Outcome: Approved. Not to exceed $31,250; described as a pilot for second semester with coach-level participants.

- Transportation agreement with Special Education Systems Inc. (Menta North) — Motion to approve (motion by Ms. Gonzales; second by Ms. Baby). Roll call: Fabian: Yes; Gonzales: Yes; Bridal: Yes; Hannah: Yes; Lindsey: Yes; Ewing: Yes. Outcome: Approved. Estimated one-year cost retroactive to July 1, 2024: $422,000. Administration said costs rose and that the district continues obligations in students’ IEPs; board requested a future report with program details and student counts.

- Renaissance “DNA” purchase for 2025–26 — Motion to approve (motion by Mr. Riddle; second by Ms. Gonzales). Roll call: Fabian: Yes; Gonzales: Yes; Bridal: Yes; Hannah: Yes; Lindsey: Yes; Ewing: Yes. Outcome: Approved. Amount in the posted agenda was unclear in the public record; administration noted final legal review was pending.

- Facility rental fee waiver for visitation and funeral for family of Shatton Lynch Wilburton at Waukegan High School (Washington campus on Jan. 25) — Motion to approve (motion by Ms. Gonzales; second by Ms. Hannah). Discussion included reduced hours and whether family would cover labor costs; administration said the fee amount was reduced because hours requested were reduced (from 10 to 8). Board approved the waiver; the family had agreed to pay labor costs in the agenda discussion. Outcome: Approved (amounts and distribution of costs recorded in BoardDocs and discussed on the record).

- Expulsion modification, student xxx641 — Motion to approve resolution to modify the mandatory one-year expulsion to five days out-of-school suspension (days already served) plus an individualized safety plan and required written notification to the parents within five school business days (motion by Ms. Lindsey; second by Ms. Riddle). Several board members who had not been in closed session passed on the roll call. Outcome: Approved as read.

Context and follow-up: Board members repeatedly asked for outcome and usage data on the instructional platforms and training contracts to support future renewals. Several members pressed administration for more specific participation and impact data for GLAD and other PD, and requested a follow-up presentation in February–March showing measures of teacher uptake and student impact. The board also asked administration to return with more information about Menta North placements and transportation utilization.

Ending: For several items — notably the Menta North transportation agreement and the GLAD training contract — the board requested follow-up reports showing participation, certification counts and student outcomes; administration committed to returning with data in upcoming meetings.