Deputy superintendent praises staff flood response; district wins Speak Out award

The deputy superintendent told the Lake County School Board on Oct. 27 that district staff responded early and worked through the morning to address flooding impacts, praising transportation, grounds, maintenance, teachers, administrators and support staff for keeping operations running in affected areas.

"I want to thank our staff for the flexibility," the deputy superintendent said, noting some crew members were out at 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. to prepare for the morning. He credited coordinated efforts for keeping schools and buses operating safely for families who chose to send students and providing options for parents who did not feel safe.

The deputy superintendent also announced that the district won the 2025 Speak Out Outstanding Program Support Award from the Scribe Line Board of Directors. He described the district's participation in the Speak Out program, which allows students to report safety concerns anonymously, and said the program has enabled staff to intervene in numerous situations.

Superintendent Dr. Luke echoed appreciation for staff and acknowledged the difficulty of operational decisions during storms. Board members offered additional thanks and noted the district's communications and operational checks during severe weather.