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Board hears debate over $34,900 Earth Angels pilot and larger three‑year Cambridge ACT contract
Summary
Board members questioned the scope and funding disparity between a proposed Earth Angels middle-school pilot (100 students, $34,900) and a larger Cambridge three-year ACT support contract for high schools; members asked for a three-year budget projection for the pilot and emphasized tracking outcomes across the contract term.
At committee meetings on Jan. 13 the Waukegan CUSD 60 board and staff discussed two separate but related proposals intended to support students’ post‑secondary readiness.
Earth Angels (presented as a Renew agency program) was proposed as a pilot to serve roughly 100 middle‑school students across five schools at a cost of $34,900 for January–May. Board member Anna Hannah questioned the disparity between that figure and the larger Cambridge ACT package, telling presenters she was impressed by the pilot’s proposed benefits but wanted a rationale for the funding difference: "...the other proposal, they're getting $239,000 for the administration of the ACT...This initiative for the middle school is only getting like 34,000. And I don't understand," she said.
Staff explained the programs are distinct: the ACT/Cambridge contract targets all 9–12 students with a multi‑year implementation that includes administrator and teacher professional development, data analysis supports and a proposed ACT prep elective; the price is for a three‑year roll‑out. Earth Angels is a smaller, targeted pilot focused on family engagement and exposing middle‑school students to college/career pathways. Presenters said Earth Angels will initially reach about 100 students and their families, and they acknowledged the pilot length and scale may be limited by available funding.
Several board members requested additional detail before final approval: a three‑year budget projection for Earth Angels, clarity on student counts and transportation costs, and assurance transportation is included if students must travel during the school day. One board member said she valued starting the pilot now rather than delaying, noting the risk of losing agency participation if the board waits; others pressed for a longer contract or for staff to return with cost and outcome projections spanning multiple years.
Separately, staff described a three‑year Cambridge contract to support ACT preparation and curriculum alignment for grades 9–12. Staff noted the Cambridge work is intended to be embedded over three years and includes online coursework for students, professional development for staff, and a plan to fold ACT‑aligned skills into core curriculum. Board members acknowledged the heavy price tag but were told the cost is spread across three years and includes multiple implementation elements.
Next steps: Staff was asked to return with additional financial projections, a multi‑year budget scenario for Earth Angels, and clearer participation/transportation details before the board votes on any multi‑year commitments.
