Lake Zurich Dist. 95 looks to further business, alumni ties

Lake Zurich Unit District 95 will have an employee in charge of developing partnerships with local businesses and alumni.

Officials said the part-time position would be expected to produce long-term benefits for District 95's students and others. School board members Thursday night voted 7-0 in favor of creating the part-time job of district development coordinator.

“I think this is another position where, because we are in a very solid financial position, in the district, we're able to fund something like this,” board member Kathy Brown said.

District 95 Superintendent Michael Egan said he hopes to present a candidate for the job for a school board vote in October.

As outlined by Egan, the employee would be in charge of establishing a directory of guest speakers and volunteers for career-specific courses in business, engineering, finance, health care, technology, marketing and others to benefit students and teachers.

In addition, industry partnerships would include creation of internship and job shadowing opportunities in certain careers for students and recent graduates. The goal would be to have at least five such opportunities by April 2016.

Board member Eileen Maloney said the collaboration with local businesses will be particularly important.

“I think this is an excellent addition,” Maloney said.

Board President Doug Goldberg said the Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce has been “clamoring” for a closer relationship with District 95.

“Anything that we can do to further that relationship and provide some synergies in between those bodies, I think, is a great thing,

Plans also call for the new district development coordinator to bring more alumni into the fold. One idea is to establish an alumni steering committee with Lake Zurich High School graduates who would develop a database and plan events in conjunction with major activities such as homecoming, plays, senior nights and concerts.

Another task for the district development coordinator would be establishing an alumni hall of fame to recognize notable Lake Zurich High graduates.

Egan said the district development coordinator also would help in curriculum enhancement. The 15-hour-per-week post will pay $27.50 an hour or $21,450 annually.