Almost nine months after the Wraparound Center opened in Waukegan Community Unit School District 60’s Educational Service Center in downtown Waukegan, it will be getting some company as other offices start to become occupied over spring break the week of March 24.
By the time the 2025-2026 school year starts on July 1 and students return to the classroom in August, LeBaron Moten, the district’s deputy superintendent for operational supports and programs, said most of the departments destined for the new location will be housed there.
Though the initial plan was to have the building occupied when the current school year began, Moten said there were delays in putting the finishing touches on some of the spaces. The district received its occupancy permit in October, but it was not an opportune time to begin moving.
“It’s very difficult to do then because the school year has started at that point,” Moten said. “We’re doing what is best for the teachers, staff and students. It’s difficult to make the transition when school is in session.”
The Educational Service Center will house many of the district’s administrators and departments, as well as the Wraparound Center, in the one-time bank building at the northwest corner of Genesee and Washington streets in downtown Waukegan, providing a central location.
Acquired from First Midwest Bank in late 2019 for $700,000, plans were put on hold when the coronavirus pandemic shuttered the schools the following March, and the focus was put on remote education and getting students back in the classroom.
With students and teachers back in the schools, district administrators first announced plans for the building, including the Wraparound Center, in 2022. Architects were hired and renovation began after District 60 Board of Education approval a year later.
A benefit to the renovation will be a much more energy-efficient building than the current welcome center or Lincoln Center. Moten said the Educational Service Center will also be fully accessible.
“We have motion-detection lighting throughout the building,” Moten said. “The boilers and other mechanical systems are energy-efficient. We have the latest fiber optic wiring.”
With the Wraparound Center already functioning on the lower level, Moten said the Welcome Center — now located on Greenwood Avenue — family community engagement and outreach, transportation and the English Learner departments will be on the first floor.
Occupying the mezzanine will be much of the human resources department. The upper floors will house the superintendent’s office and some of the administrative departments. Some departments will remain at the existing administration building on Sheridan Road.
Along with administrative offices and other departments going downtown, Moten said the meeting room where the Board of Education will hold its meetings will be located there.
Nick Alatzakis, the district’s communications director said the information technology and much of the finance departments will remain at Lincoln Center on Sheridan Road. Moten said the district is evaluating all space needs to determine the future use of the rest of Lincoln Center.
Also expected to expand is the Wraparound Center. Moten said he anticipates A Safe Place and Community Youth Network will be joined by counselors for substance abuse and juvenile justice services.
Completing the project within the $12.3 million budget approved by the Board of Education, Moten said the money includes grants from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity of $2.5 million and $750,000.
