Lake Forest Schools Communications Department Facing Scrutiny Over Survey Costing $19,650 in Tax Dollars

Lake Forest, IL—Lake Forest School Districts 67 and 115 are facing questions over the $19,650 tax-dollar cost of a recently conducted communications survey despite employing a fully staffed communications department. The survey, which was conducted by FAKO Research & Strategies, has raised concerns about the district’s financial stewardship and the necessity of outsourcing a task that many believe could have been handled internally.

Neighbors have questioned the value of this survey relative to its cost and wondered why it could not have been handled by our school district's full-time communications department..

The survey, distributed to faculty, staff, and families of students in both districts, was intended to gauge community preferences regarding school communications. However, sources indicate that the survey consisted of fewer than ten questions and was not particularly complex. Critics argue that the scope and nature of the survey did not warrant the involvement of an external consulting firm, especially given the district’s existing communications personnel.

Lake Forest Schools maintains a communications department with multiple full-time staff members, including a Chief Communications Officer. The decision to allocate additional funds for an external firm has led to concerns about whether district resources are being managed efficiently.

“This raises serious questions about fiscal responsibility,” said a concerned citizen. “If we already have a communications team, why are we spending extra money on something as straightforward as a survey?”

The district’s response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request confirmed that FAKO Research & Strategies was hired to conduct the survey and present findings to the school board in February. However, the FOIA response revealed that the contract cost taxpayers $19,650.

This issue highlights broader concerns about the district’s spending priorities for many residents. In a time when schools often cite budget constraints, some question whether funds allocated for external consultation could have been better spent directly benefiting students and classrooms.

As calls for greater accountability grow, residents are urging the school board to reassess how taxpayer dollars are allocated in the future.