Lake County Gazette

Woodland Community Consolidated School District 50 has invited the public to a session focused on the economic effects of state-sponsored charter school funding within its boundaries. The event will take place on Monday, November 3, 2025, at 6 p.m. in Cafeteria A of Woodland Middle School, located at 7000 Washington St., Gurnee, Illinois.

The session aims to provide a detailed analysis of how evidence-based funding mechanisms and required financial obligations to a state-authorized charter school are impacting the district’s budget. Organizers have emphasized transparency in reviewing these funding challenges.

“We respectfully request your attendance at a critical Public Information Session to review the significant economic impact that the inequitable funding of the state-sponsored charter school within District 50 boundaries continues to have on our district's Evidence-Based Funding and our ability to serve all our students and taxpayers,” according to the invitation.

“This meeting will provide an in-depth, transparent analysis of the district's evidence-based funding mechanism and the mandated financial obligation to a state-authorized charter school is having on our district budget,” organizers stated.

Woodland Community Consolidated School District 50 serves Lake County and includes Woodland Elementary School, Woodland Intermediate School, Woodland Middle School, and Woodland Primary School. More information about the schools represented by this district can be found at https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/.

According to data from the Illinois State Board of Education, there are 399 teachers employed by District 50 with an average salary of $69,342 before pension contributions; most are women (84.6 percent), while men make up 15.4 percent. There are no teachers in the district with more than ten absences in a year. Details on teacher demographics and attendance can be accessed at https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/.

Student demographic data show that District 50 is composed of approximately 39.6 percent White students, 9 percent Black students, 33.4 percent Hispanic students, and 11.4 percent Asian students as reported by ISBE (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).

Financial records indicate that in 2020, District 50 spent $23,682 per student for a total expenditure of $125 million (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).

Attendees are advised to use B2 doors for entry into Cafeteria A where the session will be held.

Additional information about evidence-based funding’s impact on Woodland is available through their podcast series.