COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

About Us

Robust internal and external communication efforts are critical in the success of any public school district. A school district, its student, its staff, and its community are brought closer together when all of its stakeholders are well informed and engaged. Waukegan Public Schools' Communications Department is responsible for all internal and external communications involving District 60 schools and departments. The Communication Department utilizes various communication tools and platforms to tell the District's story and to keep stakeholders engaged and informed.

Department Responsibilities Include:

• News Releases
• Media Relations
• Newsletters
• Photography
• D60 Newspaper
• Video Production
• Mass Email Distribution to Staff and Community
• Crisis Communications
• Staff Bulletins
• Social Media
• Website Updates
• Graphic Design
• Phone and Text Communications

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DEPARTMENT STAFF

Nicholas Alatzakis
Director of Communications/ Chief of Staff
[email protected]
Office Phone: 224-303-1200

About Nick: Nicholas Alatzakis is a Waukegan native, and Waukegan High School graduate. He joined Waukegan Public Schools in 2009 as the District’s first Public Information Officer. Mr. Alatzakis is most proud of the work he has done to build a comprehensive communications and public information department from scratch. His work has been recognized with several awards from the Illinois Chapter of the National Schools Public Relations Association. Prior to joining the District, Mr. Alatzakis worked as an award-winning journalist in Illinois and Florida.

Mitchell Riportella
Manager of Communications
Email: [email protected]
Office Phone: 224-303-1222

About Mitch: A 2017 Butler University graduate, Mitchell began working for the District in October 2018. Prior to his employment with the district, Mitch was a Marketing Associate at NorthPointe Resources in Zion, where he worked in a similar role. Mitchell was born in Waukegan, and grew up in Des Plaines, Illinois.



Gerardo Gordillo 
Communications & Engagement Facilitator, Waukegan High School
Email: [email protected]
Office Line: 708-370-4334

About Gerardo: Gerardo Gordillo was born and raised in Waukegan and graduated from Waukegan High School. In 2014, they started working for Waukegan Public Schools as a Printshop Assistant and then a Graphic Designer. As of 2022, they are the Communications & Engagement Facilitator at Waukegan High School. Gerardo, a 2020 Lake Forest College alumnus, appreciates being an outsider artist and focuses on themes of personhood, objectivity, and place. He has won no awards, accolades, or sponsorships.