School board to honor special ed pioneer

WAUKEGAN -- The Waukegan School Board will honor special education pioneer Robert E. Abbott on Tuesday.

The board has invited all current and retired employees to a special evening honoring the former district administrator and namesake of Robert E. Abbott Middle School.

Abbott worked for Waukegan Public Schools for many years, serving as both the learning disabilities coordinator and the director of special education. In the 1970s, he was instrumental in establishing learning disabilities programs not only in Waukegan, but across the state.

Joyce Meyer, principal of Greenwood Elementary School, was hired by Abbott as a special education teacher in 1986. "Bob has always been someone who has been on the cutting edge. He could anticipate what was going to happen next. He designed programs before they really became the popular thing," Meyer said.

When West Elementary School was looking to add a wing for special needs children 40 years ago, it was Abbott who helped secure funds. The school was re-named in his honor in 1992.

"He was kind of the main pin of that building for years. I think he really believes in Waukegan. His heart and soul was here," said Rita Melius, former Abbott principal.

Even in retirement, Abbott has remained involved in District 60 -- particularly at Abbott School. It's not uncommon to see him at school plays and musicals. He has spoken at every eighth-grade promotion for the last 17 years, said current Abbott Principal John Samuelian.

Abbott continues to work in special education at the local, regional, state and national levels.