November 12th 2026 - Special Workshop and Closed Session Meeting - 6:00 p.m.

Waukegan Public Schools held a special workshop and closed-session meeting on November 12, 2026. In closed session, the board discussed the superintendent’s performance goals. The open-session workshop began early planning for the 2028 budget, which participants said would require significant reductions, including a cited $10 million reduction directive. Board members identified literacy, student safety, special-education supports, staffing, family engagement, and college- and career-readiness programs as priorities, while emphasizing that difficult choices would be necessary.

Procurement and spending discussions included reviewing overlapping software and subscriptions, considering a pause in some consultant-based professional development, and streamlining multiple service-provider contracts in the dual-language department, potentially to one provider. Members called for stronger contract monitoring and advance board notice before extensions or additional spending. They also discussed possible capital investments in athletic facilities and school gyms, and corporate sponsorships as a potential funding source. These were planning discussions; no contract awards, purchasing approvals, or budget allocations were voted on. The motions to enter open session and adjourn were approved.