Lake Zurich School District 95 renovated and repurposed its administrative building, now using it as a brand new facility to some of the district’s special needs students
SD95 leaders cut the ribbon on the district’s Young Adult Center Feb. 9, the center where students age 18 to 22 who have individualized education plans and are eligible for transition services after completing all of their graduation requirements will get those services, according to district officials.
“The building came about because of the hopes and dreams of the staff,” said Superintendent Kelley Gallt. “That should be at the forefront of what we celebrate today. To our staff, I thank you for championing our 18–22-year-olds. To the community, I could not thank you more.”
Lake Zurich Mayor Tom Poynton was among those who toured the newly-opened Lake Zurich School District 95 Young Adult Center Feb. 9, 2025 in Lake Zurich. The center, formerly the district administrative office, will service special educations students age 18 to 22.
District officials explained that, by law, students with special education needs are eligible to receive transition services through the end of the regular school year during which they turn 22.
At the center, located at 315 Surryse Road, enrolled students will learn such basics as cooking, doing laundry and upkeeping a home, district officials explained, in addition to providing a place to socialize with their peers.
Officials said the students have been getting this instruction within the small confines of two high school rooms. The newly renovated, two-story building offers more space – with the added advantage of being near other public buildings. The building, once home to District 95 administrative offices, was already owned by the district and took about two years to refurbish to meet the needs of special education students, district officials explained.
Prior to the administrative offices moving, the district had no real capacity to offer such a space.
SD95 spokeswoman Jean Malek said building a new facility and buying land was simply out of the question.
“Prior to 2022, there were never any real serious discussions about it, because I don’t think we had the financial wherewithal to do that,” Malek said.
It also helped that the administrative building was too small to be used for much else.
“This was not a building that was big enough to be utilized for many other things, so it’s perfect for this program,” Malek said. “It’s very close within walking distance to the [Ela Area Public] library and the senior center, and that also makes it ideal.”
Educators praised support for the project, from the school board’s willingness to fund the plan to community and staff buy-in.
“I’m so proud we could have the resources from taxpayers to make this building a reality,” said school board Vice President Doug Goldberg
Lauren McArdle, assistant superintendent for student services, said students in the program had long wanted their own space, surrounded by students their own age. While the facility will focus first on locally enrolled students, McArdle said the size of the facility should allow SD95 to make room for students outside the district in the future.
“We have the capacity to expand to a lot more students,” she said. “That won’t be next year. … The program will get acclimated and then we’ll expand.”
Jesse Wright is a freelancer.
