Students praise BAM/WOW program and board defends student-led protest

Dozens of students and Youth Guidance staff told the Waukegan Board of Education on Feb. 10 that the BAM and WOW programs provide social‑emotional support that helps students stay in school and grow personally. "BAM has really helped me a lot," student Randy Guadarama told the board, thanking a role model identified as Mr. Allen for mentorship. Several other students — Alejandro Sajuan, Bria Curiel, Allison Sonido and Sarah Gallegos — gave short statements describing how the program boosted confidence and offered a safe space.

The testimonials came during the public‑comment portion of the regular meeting after the board reconvened from a closed session. Theresa Lipo of Youth Guidance introduced the students and said the program invoices on a reimbursement basis and only bills for services actually rendered. "This budget is 100% Waukegan," Lipo said when board members asked whether contract funds were being used outside the district.

Board members then used board‑member time to address a recent student‑led protest that received wide attention. Board member Miss Lensing defended the students’ right to protest and said adults should model respectful disagreement: "This protest was student led — the district did not direct it," she said, adding that principals and the city worked with students to keep them safe. Other board members reiterated that the district’s role was to protect student safety and that communications were sent to families prior to the event.

During the comments, some board members referenced critical social‑media posts and calls for staff discipline; Miss Lensing denounced insinuations that teachers "directed" a call for violence, and President Rodriguez said the board and district had no role in organizing the demonstration. "We did not have anything to do with this," he said for the record. Board members asked staff to continue communications with city partners and families to ensure safety and to avoid naming or identifying students when discussing disciplinary or trauma issues.

The board adjourned the regular meeting after public comment and later continued with a Student Achievement session that included more detailed program and contract discussion.

The next steps the board set were to request follow‑up documentation from Youth Guidance on staffing names, an itemized breakdown of the budget and an explicit explanation of the 15% indirect cost rate; district staff committed to provide those documents in writing.