Dozens of parents, staff tell Waukegan board cuts will hurt students and wraparound supports

Dozens of paraprofessionals, teachers, parents and union leaders spoke during the board’s public-comment period on July 28, urging trustees to reject proposed staff reductions that they say will directly harm students.

Speakers gave specific examples of potential harm: Patricia Theodore, director of youth services with a Waukegan wraparound partner, asked the board to “continue to fully fund and fully staff the Waukegan wraparound center,” saying the program connects families to mental‑health resources and prevents problems from escalating. Several paraprofessionals and parents recounted the value of consistent adult supports for students with IEPs, and teachers described reliance on paras for vocational programs, testing windows and daily safety.

Computer assistants described classroom- and testing‑day responsibilities and warned that consolidating tech support across buildings will increase wait times and disrupt instruction. “Who have to then we then immediately jump into action troubleshooting the issues,” one computer assistant said, describing frequent, immediate needs during standardized testing and daily classroom use.

Union leaders and paraprofessional representatives urged the board to prioritize cuts elsewhere, question administrative travel and consultant expenses, and reconsider timing so staff have more notice. The crowd repeatedly contrasted administrative contract extensions and conference spending with proposed classroom cuts during testimony and board debate.

Speakers also raised accessibility concerns — one parent said she has repeatedly asked for an elevator fix to accommodate a child with cerebral palsy. The administration responded later in the meeting with program participation and cost figures for the wraparound center and stressed recall and placement options for impacted employees.