LM July 2026

Dr. Brian Waterman Superintendent of Lyons Twp HSD #204 Cook West Region

When his son became a teacher after graduating this year, Lyons Twp HSD #204 superintendent Dr. Brian Waterman couldn’t have been more supportive — even though he often hears parents say they don’t want their own kids to become educators. “I got into education because I had an unbelievable ed ucation experience growing up,” said Waterman, who grew up in Taylorville before beginning his career as a business teacher in Westmont and is now beginning his 13th year in Lyons. “I still think it’s the best career to go into. We need to inspire more people to go into education.” That belief in education’s power extends to how Waterman leads Lyons Twp HSD #204. When he inter viewed for the superintendent position five years ago, strategic planning was his top priority from day one—a concept the district had not previously prioritized. “It’s a vision, a compass, a north star of where the

community wants to go long term,” Waterman said. “It allows for incredible focus and alignment with the work happening now, as well as the work that should be prioritized for the future, as opposed to falling victim to the ‘flavor of the day’.” The process launched immediately after Waterman started in July 2021 and involved approximately 85 community members through in-person and virtual workshops. The Board adopted a formal strategic plan in June 2022. Looking back on four-plus years of work guided by that plan, Waterman points to three major accomplish ment areas: facilities, culture, and academic access. The district has invested $50 million in facility improve ments over the past three years, driven by a strategic plan feedback process asking the community, staff, and students what they wanted. The result: new com

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LM July 2026