For years, according to Principal Edwina Thompson, Lane has asked CPS to increase the number of security positions at Lane to no avail.

Thompson announced at the June LSC meeting on June 2 that Lane is asking again this year.

Currently, Lane has 13 security officers, eight supplied by the district and five paid for by the school. Thompson saud Lane realistically needs around 16 positions.

Thompson said she has spoken with CPS’ head of safety and security Jadine, who said she will take the request up the CPS chain.

“[It’s] worthwhile and integral that we actually do [this],” Thompson said at the meeting. She asked the LSC to pay for the three additional positions if the district does not provide the positions. CPS said the school could use internal funds, money unused from past years, to pay for the positions if needed, according to Thompson. The LSC scheduled a special meeting after their organizational meeting on July 14 to vote on approving these funds if needed.

The hiring process for three more positions may be difficult, Thompson warned, as it’s been hard for Lane to even hire the 13th security guard, with many candidates falling through due to district requirements.

Here’s a wrap of what else happened at the meeting as the LSC closed out this school year.

Public Participation:

Former Lane LSC chairperson Lisa Applebaum was the lone public participant at the meeting. She first gave a shoutout to the Ultimate Frisbee Team that competed in the state finals this past weekend. Applebaum also gave thanks to the LSC for navigating COVID, the new symbol and other Lane issues over the past two years, with a special shoutout to outgoing Chairperson Emily Haite. 

Resolutions:

As the year wraps up at Lane, the LSC had more resolutions than usual to read out.

They started out by honoring Haite, who was presiding over her last meeting after being chairperson for the last six years. Haite, who has been a Lane parent since 2013, called her time on the LSC a “group effort.”

“It’s been my honor,” Haite said.

The LSC also honored Patricia O’Keefe, an outgoing LSC parent representative who, like Haite, has been a Lane parent since 2013. O’Keefe spent two years as secretary and has played an instrumental role in interpreting data from LSC surveys, according to the resolution.

The final years of service resolution was for Nicholas LoGalbo, who is stepping down as Lane’s Athletic Director at the end of the year. A 2001 Lane graduate, LoGalbo has taught and coached boys basketball at Lane since 2005. He will remain a teacher and the head boys basketball coach at Lane.

Three retiring staff members at Lane were honored.

First up was Norman Milsap, the current Dean of Students at Lane. Milsap, who has been with Lane since 1991, has been a “student support advocate” for years, according to the resolution. Milsap has served in a variety of roles at Lane, including in the attendance office and discipline office and as a girls basketball coach. Multiple LSC members shared fond memories they had of Milsap.

George Svarnias, a retiring social studies teacher who has spent 34 years with CPS and 31 at Lane, was honored. Svarnias has taught a wide range of courses in the social studies department, while also helping coach different levels of football, baseball and softball. He’s also served on Lane PPC and PPLC, and been advisor for Cambodian Club.

The final retirement resolution was for Rick Ceh, an art teacher at Lane for 29 years. Like Svarnias, he’s taught many different courses, while also serving as department chair for over 12 years. Ceh has helped the Drama Club and has been a basketball coach at Lake View.

Aside from retirements and people leaving positions, the LSC honored multiple students and teams with resolutions.

The LSC recognized the Varsity and Junior Varsity Baseball teams for their city championships, with a special shoutout to junior pitcher Josh Katz for winning Jackie Robinson North Pitcher of the Year. Haite gave kudos to the administration for organizing the field trip to Wrigley Field for the city title game.

At the state competition level, the Boys Volleyball and Girls Soccer teams were honored for their regional championships. Members of the Boys Track and Field team were honored for all-state performances in the triple jump, 4-by-800 meter relay and 1600 meter race.

The final resolutions were given to Lane’s five Posse scholarship recipients (Abraham Ailemen, Jessica Cruz, Tia Hawthorne, Marisa Martinez and Jacob Robins), six Questbridge recipients (Christopher Bustamonte, Areli Garcia, Zaryaab Khan, Eric Kurkowski, Lena Lawal and Gracie Torres) and two Gates Foundation recipients (Emily Roman and Daniela Serna).  

Principal Report:

Thompson had a brief report for this month’s meeting.

She thanked the counseling department for helping organize the Honors Ceremony this year. Thompson said CPS’ Head of Security Jadine Chou was at Lane to help give out an endowment scholarship in honor of Hellen Antonopoulus, a Lane alum and former CPS administrator and social worker who passed away in December. The endowment scholarship fund is currently at $20,000 and will be given out over the coming years.

Thompson gave a shoutout to Girls Softball, who was the last team playing this spring at Lane before a sectional final loss to Whitney Young on June 3. 

Thompson also spoke briefly about recent events held by Willow House at Lane to help students deal with grief. She said she’s hoping to continue those events next year.

A quick update on upcoming graduation events was given, including the Six Flags Grad Night, which was held on June 3, and the graduation ceremony on June 7 at UIC.

Thompson announced that $232,000 was given out by the Lane Tech Alumni Association for senior scholarships. There were 33 students who were awarded through 25 different scholarships.

Thompson closed out her report giving thanks to Haite and O’Keefe for their time on the LSC.

PPLC Report:

Teacher Representative Rebecca Daly said the PPLC had no updates. Teachers had voted earlier in the day on next year’s schedule, including whether there would be a weekly advisory schedule.

The results, announced the next day, were in favor of the weekly advisory. The PPLC recommended the weekly advisory schedule to the PPC.

The PPLC will not meet again until next school year.

Friends of Lane (FOL) Report:

There was no FOL representative, so Hatie gave some updates on the parent-run organization.

FOL gave a $540,000 check to Lane at their year-end event on June 1. This stemmed from their largest ever annual appeal and silent auction.

Haite said the organization does a great job not only with providing money, but also time, through volunteers.

Haite also gave a shoutout to outgoing FOL Vice President Lisa Borelli.

Student Report:

Student Representative Sean Groh mentioned recent and upcoming events in the student body, including the field trip to Wrigley Field, prom, senior ditch day, a student council executive board survey regarding homecoming theme, I-Days club tryouts, and a Mario Kart tournament hosted by Esports club. Groh also said the LSC student representatives wish everyone a happy Pride Month.

Groh finished his report by thanking the outgoing LSC members, including Student Representative Dayana Bautista.

Alumni Association Report:

No member of the Alumni Association was present, but Haite said that the celebratory event honoring the 50th anniversary of girls being admitted at Lane will be held on June 11.

July Meeting:

The new LSC, elected in April, will have their first meeting in July. The current LSC voted for the meeting to be held virtually via Google Meet on July 14 at 6 p.m. There will be an organizational meeting, which is required at the start of each year, followed by a special meeting regarding an increase in security positions.