District 86 May Pull Out of Special Education Co-op

is close to making a decision on .

The LADSE board held meetings on Feb. 1 and 8 in order to discuss and vote on proposed changes to funding and service delivery to its member districts. There are 16 school districts that are currently members of the LADSE co-op, including the three high school districts of District 86, Lyons Township District 204 and Riverside Brookfield Township District 208.

Superintendent Dr. Nicholas Wahl said he did not vote in favor of the proposed changes, but the changes did passed by a vote of 13 to 3. Wahl said the changes will not affect District 86 students, but he has concerns about the cooperative's funding model.

"They’re using carry-over money to maintain the operations, which I don’t believe is sustainable," said Wahl. "There is too much subsidizing."

Wahl said he would prefer the IDEA money to flow directly to District 86 students.

During the audience portion of Monday night's meeting, a parent, whose child is currently in special education, applauded District 86's efforts to examine whether membership in LADSE is really right for special education students at and . .

"I am not a proponent of these co-ops," said Paula Cacossa. We don’t need an intermediary to take those funds and do what they want ... our teachers are so well equipped today to serve those students."

Cacossa said she believes the students would be better served if the funds went directly to schools so they could hire more help for special education teachers.

"District 181 has been successful in providing their services." Cacossa told Patch after the meeting. "Now they have the physical therapist and occupational therapist in the schools directly working with the children ... They need more helping hands, not someone giving them advice."

Wahl said he will give a report at the next District 86 school board meeting on March 5 and make a recommendation as to whether he believes the district should continue to be a member of LADSE.