Lake County Gazette

Fremont School District 79 has been named a Top Workplace for 2025 by the Chicago Tribune, marking the second time in three years it has received this recognition. The district was the only school district selected in the Midsize Workplaces category this year.

“We are deeply honored to receive this recognition, which affirms our commitment to fostering a safe, healthy, and connected workplace culture,” said Fremont School District 79 Superintendent Dr. Trisha Kocanda. “This honor reflects the strength of our incredible community that champions excellent schools and supports our dedicated teachers and staff in providing exceptional learning experiences for every student.

“At Fremont, we strive to care for our entire team—offering meaningful wellness supports, encouraging open communication, and providing pathways for professional growth. Our staff’s dedication and contributions are at the heart of what makes our schools so special.”

The award is determined through employee feedback collected by Energage LLC using a third-party survey. The survey measures various aspects of employee experience such as feeling respected and supported, opportunities for growth, and empowerment.

“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, CEO of Energage. “That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”

Fremont School District 79 serves Lake County with Fremont Elementary School, Fremont Intermediate School, and Fremont Junior High/Middle School included within its system (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The district educates about 2,100 students from preschool through eighth grade across an area covering Mundelein, Wauconda, Hawthorn Woods, Grayslake, Round Lake, Long Grove, and Libertyville.

Demographically, the student population is approximately 68.8 percent White; 15.3 percent Hispanic; 9.5 percent Asian; and 1.6 percent Black (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). According to data from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), there are 147 teachers with an average salary of $72,399 before pension contributions; women make up nearly 85 percent of teaching staff while men account for just over 15 percent (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). ISBE also reports no teachers in the district have more than ten absences in a school year.

In terms of spending per pupil during 2020—the most recent data available—Fremont spent $21,132 per student with total expenditures reaching $46.5 million (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).

More information about career opportunities at Fremont School District 79 can be found at fsd79.org/jobs.