Success, Controversy Since Lyons Township HS Approved Plan

LA GRANGE, IL – Nearly four years ago, the Lyons Township High School board approved a set of long-term goals known as a "strategic plan."

In the last few years, the school has seen a lot of success with certain objectives. On the other hand, the plan revealed no signs of a coming controversy, even though the makings of it were underway when the board approved the plan in June 2022.

One of the goals was to increase participation in extracurricular activities. In January, school officials reported that 84 percent of students were involved in extracurriculars, up from 63 percent in 2021.

"If you ask any staff at any high school in the country, they would be extremely impressed with this number," school official Leslie Owens told the board at the time.

Another objective was to "upgrade facilities to better meet 21st century interests and needs for students and staff." The plan said the school needed to find ways to pay for projects.

Behind closed doors, the board was already reviewing a major way to do just that. In March 2022, an industrial developer approached officials, offering $68 million for the school's Willow Springs property.

The school board secretly discussed a sale. Members agreed to keep the issue under wraps for as long as possible, fearing backlash from Willow Springs and Burr Ridge residents.

Their prediction came true, and the board backed down in March 2023. It has since revived the effort, with more openness.

At Tuesday's board meeting, Waterman told members that the strategic plan was generally understood to last five years. Over the next year, he said, the school needed to come up with a new one.

Last time, the board hired a consultant and formed a committee with 85 residents who met for three full days in early 2022, providing feedback to the school. The school also conducted surveys.

Only two board members took part in the committee sessions. Under the state's open meetings law, no more than two can participate. Otherwise, the sessions must be advertised as board meetings.

Board President Tim Albores suggested converting the community sessions into board meetings, so all seven members could attend if they wanted.

He also advised bringing the committee back every year to weigh in on the school's progress toward achieving the goals.

Others agreed.

"I feel like those are two things that we could build into the process pretty seamlessly," Waterman said.