LM Summer 2025

ss & Sharing Updates: nformed During Summer Construction

Q&A with Jennifer Gill Superintendent of Springfield SD #186, Abe Lincoln

programs. We created a 10-year master plan touching every single school site with either security upgrades, like buzz in systems and double-door entries, or health-life-safety renovations like new roofs and building improvements. It’s been a long journey ensuring we’re sharing our priorities with the community, not just what’s happening now, but the next steps we need to move forward on. When you’re improving schools and starting with one over the other, you have to deal with community concerns about equity and timing. IASA: I imagine the large number of buildings being renovated was even more incentive to make documenting progress and sharing community updates even more of a priority? JG: It’s essential for current families, alumni, and people who no longer live here but want to know what’s happening. We created the theme “Our Schools, Our Future,” our consistent tagline since 2016. We have a dedicated website location where people can see renovated projects and pictures from every ribbon cutting.

IASA: Could you tell our listeners about yourself and your school district? JG: I’m Jennifer Gill, superintendent of Springfield District 186, starting my 12th year. When I arrived in 2014, facilities improvement was a top priority for students, families, and economic development. People were moving to smaller communities surrounding Springfield, citing outdated facilities as a key factor. This project began with a community survey by the Chamber of Commerce. They surveyed concerns about public education, test scores, social-emotional learning, and facilities. The survey showed facilities were a major community concern, leading to our one-cent sales tax passage in 2017. IASA: How many schools do you have and what’s the scope of this building project? JG: We have three comprehensive high schools, 24 elementary schools (K-5), five middle schools (6-8), plus a charter school, two alternative centers, and additional

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