Digital display signs coming to TTHS D205 schools
The signs will be located around Thornton, Thornwood, and Thornridge High Schools in high-traffic areas, showing real-time updates on emergencies and school events.
Thornton Township High Schools District 205 will spend $35,000 on a new digital signage initiative, bringing 22 display screens to the district’s three high school campuses.
The screens will be strategically placed in high-traffic areas to enhance communication with students, staff and visitors, Superintendent Nathaniel Cunningham, Jr. said at the board’s special meeting Feb. 14.
“Signage commission will provide a modern and dynamic communication platform that enhances the delivery of real-time information including daily announcements with updates, school events, reminders and key messages, emergency alerts, safety communication, allowing for immediate dissemination of all critical information,” he explained.
“We are taking a significant step towards modernizing District 205 communication infrastructure and providing a more efficient and engaging way to connect with our community and school,” Cunningham, Jr. added.
Changes at the federal level
Cunningham confirmed several district and state changes, including its partnership with local and state law enforcement to keep students safe.
“The district has partnerships with local law enforcement agencies, and we work together to keep our schools safe,” Cunningham, Jr. said. “We deal with state and federal law enforcement based on the law. We cannot and will not share records or release student information.”
In January, the Department of Homeland Security rescinded a memo restricting enforcement at schools and churches. Cunningham, Jr.’s comments come as some undocumented families are concerned about immigration enforcement at local schools. Cunningham, Jr. also offered brief comments on its federal funding dollars amid rhetoric surrounding a potential freeze and cuts to the United States Department of Education.
According to Cunningham, Jr., there will be no changes to the state’s federal funding and “no interruptions to service.”
This year, so far, the district had an increase in financial resources to meet necessary expenses. Cunningham said the school system made “significant financial progress,” shifting from 60 percent financial adequacy in 2018 to 98 percent adequacy in 2025 through the state’s evidence-based funding (EBF) program.
Tax relief
The board voted to continue participating in Illinois’ property tax relief grant program, which provides funding to school districts that lower their property tax levies. Since it began participating in 2018, the district has abated $34 million from taxpayers’ pockets, officials said last year.
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