Budget Cuts For Hinsdale D86 Transition Program?

DARIEN, IL – Emma Myers, who went to Hinsdale South High School, now goes to Hinsdale High School District 86's Transition Center.

That program, she said, turned her around for the better.

At Thursday's school board meeting, she was among a dozen students and parents who urged the board against budget cuts at the center.

The center, with operations in Darien and Burr Ridge, helps those with disabilities between 18 and 22 gain skills.

Myers spoke about her issues, such as bipolar depression, and how she struggled after her father, whom she called her best friend, died.

"I felt done with life," she told the board, sounding as if she were fighting back tears.

At the center, Myers said she found structure, consistency and support academically and emotionally. Her attendance and grade point average improved dramatically, she said.

"What mattered most is the support I received was proactive, individualized, focused and helped me move forward rather than simply removing me from the situation," Myers said. "That approach changed the trajectory of my education and my life."

Others reported similar positive experiences at the Transition Center.

In November, one of the board's committees recommended hiring a consultant to review the center's costs. So the district sought proposals.

At the meeting, the board's president, Catherine Greenspon, said no budget decisions for the center had been made. But she said a review was needed.

It costs $90,000 per Transition Center student, she said. By comparison, the latest numbers for Hinsdale South and Central are $25,000 and $32,000 per student, respectively.

"I understand that for our transition students, the expenditure is going to be higher," she said.

But Greenspon said the board must understand the costs per student to be fiscally responsible.

"Nobody has said whether it's right or wrong," Greenspon said. "We don't know. There has not been a review. I'm not sure why or how anybody thinks there have been cuts made or cuts on the table."

She added, "Please, I don't want anybody to be more upset than you should be."

The board voted for Daniel Cates, a former school district superintendent in Illinois, to be the consultant. He is charging $35,000.

The final report is expected by March.