With mechanical systems overhauled to make them healthier for people, and supports established to complete unfinished learning arising from the coronavirus pandemic, Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 is quizzing the public about what to do next.
Since Waukegan’s public schools went remote nearly four years ago to educate its students without exposing them to COVID-19, they were recipients of approximately $75 million in federal funds to combat the impact of the pandemic.
After spending around $70 million on healthier buildings, as well as implementing academic programs to deal with unfinished learning, school officials are deciding how to spend less than $5 million remaining. They are seeking ideas from the community.
District 60 is conducting its fifth biannual survey of community members throughout Waukegan to learn what those with a stake in children’s education think is the best use of the remaining nearly $5 million. The online survey is due by Feb. 23.
Scrambling to turn in-person schooling into remote learning in March, 2020, the district eventually received approximately $75 million in Emergency Relief for Elementary and Secondary Schools (ESSER) as part of the American Rescue Plan for COVID relief.
Now looking to spend the remaining $5 million, Nicholas Chin, the district’s manager of state and federal programs, said some of the balance will be spent to pay support staff in the individual schools to buttress classroom learning.
Chin said using the money for paraprofessionals in the classroom — as well as librarians, safety personnel and school secretaries — will free other funds to pay teachers in an overall effort to retain and recruit educators.
“It’s important to let the community know about our ideas,” Chin said, referring to the survey which is a condition of the ESSER grant. “We are informing the public of how we are spending the money. We let them know we want to see their ideas.”
During previous surveys, Chin said the public indicated it wanted safer and healthier buildings. Approximately $28.2 million was spent to improve air quality — primarily by installing new HVAC systems — to reduce the spread of COVID.
Though specific attendance numbers are not available for the entire current school year, Nick Alatzakis, the district’s communications director, said attendance has improved slightly since the overhaul.
Part of the money had to be spent to complete unfinished learning. Jason Nault, the district’s associate superintendent for equity, innovation and accountability, said it was done and is showing results.
Nault said tutoring programs were implemented, as well as efforts to enhance social and emotional learning. The summer program was tailored to continue academics taught during the school year rather than specialized curriculum.
“The programs are working,” he said. “We’re not back at pre-pandemic levels yet, but we’re seeing higher test scores and graduation rates. We’re making sure summer school mirrors what we do during the school year.”
For the past three years, the district has had the benefit of $75 million in the federal ESSER and other funding to help it meet budget needs. Gwen Polk, the district’s associate superintendent of business and financial services, said that was considered in the planning.
Polk said much was used for one-time capital expenditures like the air quality improvements, rather than programs with recurring expenses. She was aware the ESSER plan was a onetime opportunity.
People who wish to take the survey can log onto the district’s website to complete the form.
