LTHS Freshmen Make Return To School At Lincoln-Way North

LOCKPORT, IL — Wednesday marked the return to in-person learning for Lockport Township High School freshmen, as they made their way to their new home at Lincoln-Way North High School for the next few months.

The freshmen class, which has nearly 900 students, wore their class color, green, in celebration of their class.

The students had been in e-learning for a week, after a classroom ceiling collapsed at their home campus of LTHS Central. The school is out of commission until repairs can be made, and when the entire school is assessed for a safe return.

Lincoln-Way District 210 approved an intergovernmental agreement to let LTHS students return to learning at Lincoln-Way North. The campus in Frankfort had been closed since 2016.

The LTHS Board of Education will be presented with the agreement on Nov. 20 for approval.

According to District 210, the initial agreement allows for occupancy of Lincoln-Way North for three months, with the option to extend the contract monthly. The monthly contract fee is $250,000, the District told Patch.

The amount paid to District 210 will include the initial cost of readiness to open the building, all costs associated with operating and maintaining the building during their occupancy, and a 15 percent indirect administrative fee.

District 205 is providing 22 shuttle buses daily to provide transportation to freshmen. The shuttle bus drivers are all current hires and employees of the District, the District said.

A limited number of cold meals like sandwiches or wraps will be available at North for students to purchase. Those who receive free or reduced priced meals will also be provided with cold meals. Otherwise, students are encouraged to bring a bagged lunch, the District said.

There is no known date yet for when LTHS students may return to Central Campus.