Lincoln-Way Schools Join “WillBeReady” Mutual Aid Network for Disaster Response

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | April 16, 2026

Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way Board of Education approved a Memorandum of Understanding to join the “WillBeReady” Mutual Aid Network, a county-wide agreement designed to facilitate the sharing of resources between schools during emergencies.

Mutual Aid Network Key Points:

• The Board unanimously approved the MOU with the Will County Regional Office of Education and other local school districts.

• The agreement provides a formal framework for districts to share personnel, equipment, and facilities during natural or human-made disasters.

• Participation is at the sole discretion of the district, protecting Lincoln-Way from liability if it is unable or unwilling to provide requested resources during a specific event.

The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education on Thursday, April 16, 2026, unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to join the Will County School Mutual Aid Network, dubbed “WillBeReady.”

The agreement, coordinated through the Will County Regional Office of Education, establishes a formal framework for public school districts, special education cooperatives, and private schools within the county to assist one another during emergencies or disaster events that exceed a single district’s capacity.

Under the MOU, participating districts can share personnel, equipment, communication systems, and facilities.

Superintendent Dr. Scott Tingley explained that the initiative originated during a recent meeting of Will County superintendents.

“Some of the superintendents believed it would be beneficial if we all went into an MOU… so in the case of any disasters in one part of the county or the other, we’re already covered,” Dr. Tingley said. “If we have to provide support or somebody has to provide support for us, whether it’s facilities, whatever that might be.”

Dr. Tingley cited examples such as a tornado or a fire requiring the immediate evacuation of students to an alternate location.

Board member Richard C. LaCien Jr. noted that the language of the MOU was quite broad. “It is very vague,” LaCien said. “I’m not sure what we’re agreeing to, to be honest with you. Like, we’ll provide assistance?”

District counsel reviewed the document and confirmed that the agreement simply standardizes how schools can help one another without creating rigid legal mandates. Crucially, the MOU states that districts make a “good faith effort” to provide assistance but incur no liability if, “in their sole discretion, they are unable or unwilling to do so.”

“It’s just a written mutual understanding that everyone will help each other,” Dr. Tingley affirmed. “It’s something we would have done anyway, quite honestly.”