Lake County Leader and Educator Essentials

September 2025

Dear Lake County Community,

As the school year moves forward, it’s inspiring to see the energy and dedication filling our classrooms and hallways. Each day, our schools are not only places of learning, but also hubs of creativity, growth, and connection.

In this special edition of our newsletter, we are proud to spotlight two outstanding Lake County school districts and share the ways they are making a difference in the lives of their students and communities. Their stories reflect the dedication of educators, staff, and families across the county who work tirelessly to create supportive and engaging learning environments.

We hope these snapshots offer a glimpse into the incredible work happening in our schools every day—and remind us that when we invest in our students, we invest in the future of our entire community.

Thank you for your continued partnership in making Lake County a place where all students can thrive.

Sincerely,

Dr. Michael Karner

Regional Superintendent of Schools

Lake County, Illinois

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Zion-Benton Township High School District 126: Advancing College and Career Readiness Through CTE

Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 is committed to ensuring every student graduates ready for college, career, and life. Recognizing that success takes many forms, the district has invested significantly in Career and Technical Education (CTE) to provide students with meaningful, future-focused opportunities that prepare them for Day 721 – the day after graduation.

The district has remodeled more than 40,000 square feet of CTE space, creating 10 state-of-the-art classrooms and labs that support programming in architecture and engineering, business administration, carpentry and construction, culinary arts, digital media, drone pilot preparation, electricity, small engine mechanics, and welding.

Beyond facilities, the district has embedded opportunities for students to earn 20 industry-recognized credentials—at no cost to them—within on-site district programming. This commitment has driven a 493% increase in students earning industry credentials over the past five years, with 17% of students earning an industry credential in 2025.

Coursework is intentionally designed to connect students with the community. For example, the District partnered with the City of Zion to design, build, and install new city welcome signs, and it collaborated with local businesses to provide mentorship, coaching, and real-world opportunities that inspire and fuel business students’ entrepreneurial goals.

In addition to traditional trades programs, the district has expanded into emerging fields, such as drone technology. Students are trained to capture aerial footage of events and performances, and they use DroneDeploy software for live site mapping, roof inspections, and 3D modeling of facilities—gaining hands-on experience with industry-standard tools.

These experiences highlight the district’s commitment to offering innovative, hands-on learning that builds authentic college and career readiness. District 126 takes pride in preparing every student for Day 721 and beyond. Investment in CTE programming is one of the many ways to ensure students can pursue their chosen pathways, giving them a true competitive edge for success beyond high school.

Visit Zion-Benton Township HS District #126 website

Big Hollow SD38 at a Glance

Goal 1 Update: Ensure high levels of growth for all learners

Big Hollow students achieved the 70th percentile nationally for Math growth on the 2024-2025 MAP assessment.
Big Hollow students exceeded the national average for Math achievement on the 2024-2025 MAP assessment.
Big Hollow students met the national average for both growth and achievement in English Language Arts (ELA) on the 2024-2025 MAP assessment.
Big Hollow students scored at the 64th percentile for ELA proficiency and the 80th percentile for ELA growth on the 2024 IAR assessment.
74% of EL students demonstrated growth in English proficiency from the prior year.
46% of EL students advanced to the next English proficiency level in FY25.

Goal 2 Update: Cultivate a safe, secure and inclusive learning environment that is responsive to the needs of all stakeholders

Staff Climate and Culture

In the 2024 INSIGHTex Survey, nearly 80% of Big Hollow employees were rated as "highly engaged and satisfied," reflecting a strong positive culture and employee experience.

5-Essential Survey Summary (2024) Results:

73rd percentile for Effective Leaders
80th percentile for Collaborative Teachers
79th percentile for Involved Families

Class Size Reduction Initiative at Big Hollow Primary and Elementary

In grades K-4, additional sections have been added to reduce class sizes. With nine sections per grade level, average class sizes are now the lowest in 15 years.

Safety and Security

Over the past three years, BHSD38 has implemented the following safety initiatives:
Hired a school safety team consisting of 1 coordinator and 5 safety paraprofessionals
Upgraded communication systems in all buildings
Installed security window film on all interior and exterior windows at risk for entry into a space
Upgraded door access control to a fully digital, keyless system for enhanced security in all buildings

Cellphone-free Environment for Students

In FY25, BHMS successfully implemented a cellphone-free environment using Yondr pouches. Data from the 2024-25 school year showed a significant reduction in classroom distractions and student behavior incidents.

Goal 3 Update: Optimize the operations for an improved educational experience for all students by effectively using all resources while maintaining fiscal responsibility

Building Improvements

Big Hollow School District 38 has invested in infrastructure upgrades across all three schools, including:
$11 million in building improvements to roofs and HVAC systems
Upgraded building automation systems in all three buildings

Financial Profile Rating

BHSD38 has achieved the highest financial profile rating from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) since 2017.

Tax Rate Reduction

Debt reduction has lowered the tax rate for local taxpayers through:

Full repayment of a $7,715,000 School Refunding Bond in FY22
Complete payoff of a $25 million General Obligation Capital Appreciation Bond, issued in 2005, in FY25

Bond-Secured Funding for Maintenance and Projects

In 2024, the district secured a Health-Life Safety Bond to fund essential facility maintenance and projects, representing its only current long-term debt.

Fiscally Conservative Spending

The 2024 School Report Card shows instructional spending per pupil in the 27th percentile compared to other Illinois school districts, reflecting fiscal efficiency while maintaining strong student outcomes.

(Strategic Plan)

Visit Big Hollow SD38 website