LW 210 Fielded Interest in Leasing LW North: Tribune

Lincoln-Way High School District 210 Board President Dee Molinare as recently as last week stated that the district had not heard from any parties interested in leasing Lincoln-Way North High School.

That's not exactly true, says the Tribune. The district has received two inquiries—from Southland College Preparatory Charter High School and Joliet Junior College—which were not disclosed to the public because the deals were reportedly "not viable."

"If and when a viable option for renting becomes available, we will present it to the public," said Taryn Atwell, the district's community relations director, as reported by the Tribune. "Before the board could consider action, we must ensure the logistics and cost structure are practical."

What were the details behind those deals?

Southland College Prep, a school of 500 based in Richton Park, would have sought to rent the gym. And had previously considered also renting the fine arts center, CEO Blondean Davis told the Tribune. The district determined that the cost to operate North was out of the school's price range, Atwell said. But Davis said they're "definitely still interested" in establishing a deal.

Joliet Junior College in January showed interest in leasing the second floor academic wing for five years at $100,000. With the state's current budget crisis, though, JJC Interim President Judy Mitchell said any possible deal would have to wait, for now.

More details are available from the Tribune.

'Checks and Balances Were Not In Place'

The revelation of the interested parties is the latest in a string of what many parents are calling deceitful actions by the district. As the closing of Lincoln-Way North looms, parents and residents continue to demand better transparency from the board, specifically regarding finances and accounting. The district's position on the state's Financial Watch List, and the board's decision to close a school less than a decade old, have incited a community to action, including a lawsuit to attempt to prevent the school's closing.

In a statement last week, the board said the district's ailing financial status had been "masked by improper accounting" for years.

"It is apparent that a proper system of checks and balances was not in place, and that the previous superintendent took unauthorized action; for this, we take responsibility. ... This board was presented with annual audits giving the district a financial 'clean bill of health' for years."

The board believes it has taken steps to increase transparency and procedures moving forward, the board said in its prepared statement, including hiring an interim Business Manager for the District in September 2015, calling for a new, independent accounting firm to conduct an annual audit (November 2015), establishing a Building and Finance Advisory Committee (first meeting set for April 28), and collecting applications for an assistant superintendent of business.

correction: this report has been amended to properly credit the board statement