Lake County Gazette

The Mundelein District 120 community marked the completion of its first Facilities Improvement Plan project on September 10 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly named Myers Education Center. The building, now home to the D120 Transition Center, is named in honor of former Superintendent Kevin Myers, who retired in June after 11 years with the district.

Located just west of Mundelein High School, the building was originally Kirk of the Lakes Church before being purchased by District 120 and used as the MHS Annex. The District 120 School Board approved renaming the building on September 9, ahead of the Transition Center’s grand opening.

Current Superintendent Corey Tafoya highlighted Myers’ role in securing funding for the facility and his background as a special education teacher. “His work symbolizes this project in a very tangible way,” Tafoya said.

School Board President Peter Rastrelli emphasized that Myers’ influence extended beyond facilities improvements. “He believed deeply in creating opportunities within our own community so that students - especially those in special education - could be educated in their neighborhood schools, in the least restrictive environment possible,” Rastrelli said.

Speaking at the event attended by more than 150 community members, Myers expressed gratitude for the recognition but stressed collective effort. “What I hope happens, over time, is when people reference the Myers Education Center, they think of the team,” Myers said. “The team, which consists of this community, the staff, administrators and school board, all coming together to make this happen. That needs to be recognized.”

The Transition Center serves participants aged 18-22 by helping them develop independent adult lives through community engagement and person-centered planning. Previously located within Mundelein High School since 2018, it moved to its new site in August to allow for additions and improvements funded under District 120’s $199.5 million Facilities Improvement Plan.

Transition Center staff guided renovations of the 16,100-square-foot space to meet current school building codes with updated fire suppression and mechanical systems. The center began with 16 participants and now serves 47—31 from District 120 and others from neighboring districts.

The larger facilities improvement project is supported primarily by a $149.5 million building bond referendum passed by voters in November 2024. Additional planned upgrades include new classrooms already under construction at Mundelein High School (which is part of Lake County’s Mundelein Consolidated High School District 120), a gymnasium, cafeteria, Career Technical Education space and more. Construction began in March 2025 and will continue for at least three years.

At the ceremony, Tafoya thanked residents for their support: “We do not take that trust lightly,” he said. “As a district, we are committed to progress and stewardship. Sharing progress, celebrating milestones like this and welcoming our community back into these facilities to see the results of your support.”

Mundelein Consolidated High School District 120 represents Lake County and includes Mundelein Consolidated High School among its institutions. According to state data (Illinois State Board of Education), there are approximately 130 teachers employed by District 120 earning an average salary of $91,610; about half are women and half men; none have recorded more than ten absences per year.

District demographics show a diverse student body: roughly forty-one percent White students; two percent Black; forty-five percent Hispanic; nearly six percent Asian (ISBE). In fiscal year 2020,the district spent $29,799 per student, totaling over $61 million.