With fears of financial uncertainty haunting the Waukegan Community School District 60 Board of Education, and Superintendent Thersa Plascencia’s contract reaching the end of its 10th year, she received an extension, but the vote was less routine than in past years.
Some board members like Christine Lensing, who voted not to renew the contract, were dissatisfied with the speed of improvement in the city’s public schools and wants to see the pace accelerate. She asked for changes that did not materialize over the past year.
“The results that this district needs have not come at a pace that I deem fast enough,” Lensing said. “I have not seen aspirations to shoot for the stars. Given our financial situation, we simply cannot and should not move forward with the contract as written.”
Board member Jeff McBride, who voted to approve the pact, said Plascencia met all her goals and she alone is not responsible for nearly all of the financial decision-making. Each board member has a role in the process as well, he said. As money got tight, they cast the votes, allowing it to get there.
“You all heard it,” McBride said. “The superintendent’s evaluation was fair. She met all those expectations. The superintendent does not control the spending. The board has to approve the spending. Let the board take some accountability as well.”
The board voted 4-3 on Tuesday at the Education Service Center in Waukegan to extend Plascencia’s contract through the 2030-2031 academic year, though some of her goals and expectations may be more stringent.
“We as the board set those goals,” board member Carolina Fabian, who voted for the contract, said. “We can start thinking about how much more rigorous we make those goals.”
Earning $326,278 for the current school year, Plascencia will receive a 4% increase for the 2026-2027 term, upping her pay to $339,329 starting July 1. She said in an email that she is grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the students, families and staff of the district.
“I appreciate the trust the Board has placed in me over the past decade, and I remain committed to the work of supporting student success and strengthening our schools,” she said. “I remain committed to the work of supporting student success and strengthening our schools.”
In the fall, the board set four goals for Plascencia in the current school year. By March, 31% of the students had to be participating in sports or other after-school activities, get tutoring or additional social-emotional support.
Another goal required all schools to use a new literacy plan. Another target required engaging students, staff, faculty and community members in an effort to improve perceptions of safety, climate and belonging.
The final goal, which was met for the year but leaves concerns for the coming term, required a review with recommendations for long-term fiscal solvency in light of federal executive orders impacting public education, and preparing a budget process that supports the district’s strategic plan.
Board member Anita Hanna was the most critical of Plascencia. She voted against approving the contract as she has done in past years. She said the climate and culture in the district are unsatisfactory, and too many staff members have been terminated.
“There are and still exist many concerning issues in our school district that have been neglected by the administration and the board,” Hanna said. “My biggest concerns are the lack of student academic improvement, the overspending of public funds that have plummeted the budget to deficit levels.”
Board President Michael Rodriguez, who voted to approve the contract, said fears over increasing expenses are not the reason to reject Plascencia’s contract. When she arrived, the economic condition of the district was in difficult straits.
“ We were in a position where we had to be going to the bank every two weeks to sign the tax anticipation warrants just to cover payroll,” Rodriguez said. “We are going through this (current) situation we have because of federal funding uncertainties, state funding uncertainties and the decreasing of our student population.”
Rodriguez said difficult decisions will be necessary as the board establishes the budget for the coming school year, starting July 1. The solution is not denying Plascencia the new contract, but a “strong turnaround plan” is what will provide financial stability.
Board member Rick Riddle said he supported Plascencia and the work she has done, but voted against the contract because he would rather see it reflect the potential financial condition of the district.
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Board member Angela Ramirez, who participated telephonically, voted for the contract.