NEW LENOX – Lincoln-Way School District 210 officials estimate about $814,000 in operations and maintenance savings has been earned thus far this fiscal year, with $469,000 of that because it’s running three schools instead of four.

District officials have been working to reduce the district’s expenses since it was given the worst financial rating by the state in 2015. In one of the most controversial cost-cutting measures, the board decided that year to close Lincoln-Way North High School for this school year.

Taryn Atwell, district spokeswoman, said in an email that district operating expenses have experienced an 8.7 percent decline, equating to a reduction of $5.2 million year over year.

“The most significant cost savings is a result of operating three schools instead of four. Competitive bid processes have also helped to reduce costs,” Atwell said.

North remains a concern among residents and those running for the board in the April 4 elections. North and West high schools were constructed in the late 2000s and funded through a $225 million referendum. The board chose in a 5-2 decision to close North as part of a deficit reduction plan.

At the March 16 board meeting, Frankfort resident Elizabeth Burghard asked district officials what the plan was for North and how limited the district was in repurposing the building.

Superintendent Scott Tingley said North can only be used for government or public use, not for private companies.

“Right now, I think a perfect use would be a college facility [or] college youth center,” Tingley said.

He said there have been discussions with Joliet Junior College about using the building, but the college wouldn’t be using the whole facility, only a couple of classrooms. Atwell said the expenses for the district to operate the classrooms JJC wanted to use were more than the rent the school was offering.

For now, under an intergovernmental agreement, the building is being partially occupied by the Frankfort Square Park District, which runs several programs at the facility and maintains the grounds. Tingley said the school district expects the park district to use the North building again next year.

Atwell said that although sporting events have not occurred at North, the marching band has used the fields for practice in the past and the district does have the option of continuing to use the building for students.

The question of whether North should be reopened or repurposed was brought up at a Feb. 2 forum attended by six of the 13 candidates running for school board.

Board member Joseph Kirkeeng, who is running to keep his seat on the board, said the bonds used to build North – and West – have covenants, or legally binding terms of agreement, that limit what the building can be sold or used for.

“We need to sit down and have some very tough discussions about what the short, intermediate and long-term plans are for [North],” Kirkeeng said.

Candidate Robert Ripp said there is no market value for North and if there was, an institution would’ve expressed interest. He said the long-term strategic plan for the district has to include financial projections that “takes into account all of our assets” to see how they can best be used.

At the Lincoln-Way teachers union candidates forum March 8, all the candidates running for the board were favorable to having discussions on using North for traveling sports teams and events if the terms of the bonds allow for it.