Lake County Gazette

As the 2025-26 academic year begins, Dr. Jeni Gotto, Superintendent of Schools for Westminster Public Schools, addressed the WPS community with a message of gratitude and encouragement. Dr. Gotto acknowledged the ongoing commitment of parents, guardians, educators, and community members in supporting students’ educational growth.

She highlighted a recent event as an example of this partnership: "A great example of that was our annual Back-to-School Breakfast and Backpack Giveaway which took place on August 9th. This issue of What’s Up WPS has pictures and video of the heart-warming day."

Dr. Gotto outlined two main areas of focus for the year: student attendance and reading. She emphasized the importance of consistent attendance by stating, "Making sure students are in school on time every day sets the tone for a student’s success, not just in academics, but in life. When students arrive on time and ready to learn, they are more engaged, confident, and able to keep up with lessons and class discussions. Even missing one day here and there can create gaps that are hard to fill."

She also stressed the role of reading in student achievement: "Reading is one of the most powerful ways to boost student achievement. Whether your child is just starting kindergarten and learning their first words, or navigating complex novels in high school, reading strengthens vocabulary, comprehension, empathy and critical thinking skills. Spending just 20 minutes reading together each day at home can create lasting benefits over time."

Dr. Gotto noted that future editions of What’s Up WPS will feature updates about books being read within schools as well as strategies for promoting literacy at home.

She concluded her message by thanking families for their support: "Thank you for your partnership in making Westminster Public Schools a place where every student can succeed. I look forward to all we will accomplish together this year."

Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 serves several schools across Lake County (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/), including elementary schools such as Andrew Cooke Magnet Elementary School and Glen Flora Elementary School; middle schools like Daniel Webster Middle School; an early learning center; Waukegan High School; among others.

The district is made up predominantly of Hispanic students (79.5 percent), followed by Black (13.2 percent), White (3.2 percent), and Asian (1.3 percent) populations according to state data (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The teaching staff numbers over 1,000 with an average salary before pension contributions at $63,524; women make up more than 70 percent of teachers while men comprise nearly 29 percent (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). Notably, no teacher recorded more than ten absences during a school year.

In terms of finances, Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 spent $23,429 per student in 2020 with total expenditures reaching over $359 million (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).