Press Release: 08-11-2011

Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60 officially unveiled its renovated, multi-use Board Room on Tuesday, August 9, during a regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting. Upgraded technology and safety features have transformed the Board Room into a more user-friendly facility.

The most noticeable renovation in the Lincoln Center Board Room is the addition of a secured, raised Board Member seating area. The construction of a more secured seating area is one of one many safety improvements suggested to District 60 during a grant-funded vulnerability assessment conducted by Safe Haven International in Fall, 2010.

The raised, handicap-accessible seating, along with other construction additions, are the first renovations to the former Holy Child High School chapel since District 60 took over use of Lincoln Center. The upgrades, which cost about $42,000, were funded through the District’s Operations and Maintenance funds.

In addition to security upgrades, a number of technological enhancements have been made to the room. Large monitors replace an often difficult-to-read overhead projector, and smaller monitors in the board member area allow them and community members to simultaneously view presentations and programs.

The technology upgrades go along with the District’s plan to begin using the Board Room as a community Joint Information Center during a crisis. As part of the District’s Crisis Plan, the Board Room would be utilized to conduct timely and informational news briefings to assist parents and members of the community.

The technology upgrades will also assist District 60 employees during the many staff meetings and trainings that are conducted in the Board Room. The $20,000 in technology upgrades were paid through District 60’s crisis funds, which are part of the Safety Budget.

Email Contact: nalajakis@wps60.org

A look inside the renovated Board Room.