[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6194094,"mediaKeyId","3864872-c4694f981a8dfb7d6b59e3c5654043a0","parentId",3864872,"title","LaGrange area special education cooperative outlines services; board OKs $34.4M FY26 tentative budget","audioSeconds",1906,"startMs",3226000,"endMs",5132000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3864872-c4694f981a8dfb7d6b59e3c5654043a0&start=3226&end=5132","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3864872-c4694f981a8dfb7d6b59e3c5654043a0/thumbnail_3226000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6194094/Illinois/LaGrange-area-special-education-cooperative-outlines-services-board-OKs-344M-FY26-tentative-budget","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194094-39467ad8e2ef803e49640c985f674b79/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448480&Signature=KjpSCjBKLbAslaBNPuVwX7738brUfl9dBSojbZ602EeHYL-FF9gJuIQm~c783pk2VXTmdE6xUJyBbKMPcVa~-K64KBe51ffXA4HFxmhQkEXZ8ApO1FJEIMjPFd2YG1CDLnZEdl7cyNrnNFlvT0iR56iQxdvqIfiCzYnw6om2QDamU1xEGu1phd8f3IQ7SGTTpW7H~4oVmsoY8F1~gbsuIYcDopOzBvj~fyRlAlDiJ9krj8nBN7vb~wiMY3kc3k1SfkbvykWdORA4Bgau9ZjLzAHcFwTMTG8ZL9T2XAZmq6JjNUjbzDhmnX97kUCNut4ufd1mbPQhSQkPkKeNXC9T9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lyons Twp HSD 204","date","2025-06-17T14:03:22Z","article","Trustees for Lyons Township High School District 204 received an hour‑long briefing on services provided by the LaGrange area department of special education (LADSI) and approved LADSI’s FY2026 tentative budget of $34.4 million at the June 16 board meeting.

Dr. Ambuehl, LADSI’s executive director, described the cooperative’s work supporting about 3,500 students with individualized education programs across 15 member districts and noted LADSI employs roughly 400 staff. LADSI operates programs from early childhood through transition age (up to nearly age 23), including specialized autism classrooms, a phonology early childhood program, deaf/hard‑of‑hearing services, Project SEARCH internships at a local hospital and LRB Academy, a therapeutic day school serving high school students who struggle to function in a large environment.

\"We currently have 15 member districts... about just under 3,500 students with IEPs within our 15 member districts,\" Dr. Ambuehl said. He explained LADSI’s work includes direct programs, purchased services (speech, OT, PT, nursing and school psychology for districts that purchase those services), district consultations, transportation coordination and professional development for staff.

Leslie Owens and district staff described how LT uses LADSI services: about one‑third of the district's special education students (roughly 150–170 students) receive related services through LADSI providers, and LADSI supports training for paraeducators and staff, state special education reporting and coordination of purchase services. Owens noted having LRB Academy nearby reduces travel for students in therapeutic placements and facilitates transitions back to the home school.

Budget action: Nick, LADSI’s business manager, presented the FY26 tentative budget of $34,400,000 — a 4.52% increase over FY25. He said much of the increase reflects added communication/development (CD) classrooms for students on the autism spectrum at primary grades, contractual and rental costs to house classrooms, a 4% salary increase budgeted for staff and a 10% increase estimated for insurance and benefits.

The district, serving as LADSI’s fiscal agent, held a hearing and then approved the tentative budget; LADSI will return in August with the final budget for board approval. Trustees thanked LADSI leadership for the presentation and asked follow‑up questions about Project SEARCH capacity (12 students per year) and the cooperative’s diversity, equity and inclusion work.

What the board approved: tentative LADSI FY26 budget of $34,400,000 (4.52% increase). LADSI will present a final adopted budget in August after member district review and the required public hearing process.

Why it matters: LADSI provides specialized educational programs and services that LT and its feeder districts rely on for students with significant disabilities; budgetary changes affect program capacity, staffing and the cooperative’s ability to place students in appropriate settings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-06-16 Lyons Township High School D204 Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Lyons Township High School District 204 heard an overview of the LaGrange area department of special education (LADSI) services — including LRB Academy and Project SEARCH — and approved LADSI’s FY2026 tentative budget of $34.4 million, a 4.52% increase driven by added classroom capacity and contractual cost increases.","taxTitle","Lyons Twp HSD 204, School Boards, Illinois","taxId",74185,"location","Illinois","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6194101,"Baker family increases gift; District 204 approves $2.78M softball field project and construction contract",196,1480000,1676000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3864872-c4694f981a8dfb7d6b59e3c5654043a0&start=1480&end=1676","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3864872-c4694f981a8dfb7d6b59e3c5654043a0/thumbnail_1480000.jpg","/articles/6194101/Illinois/Baker-family-increases-gift-District-204-approves-278M-softball-field-project-and-construction-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194101-22b49341d7b40d5e924ed6f2ea2c3375/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448480&Signature=REOsGHapJtRUiXT4mMEYYtc5fvybQ3KnkkJCzoCAF4Ir8ASRsqtPcwRpmmX5jRYD09DTmohMqPxxreWJpG5D8USaOnjWFk4YADPCpgQR8eH9--EhqoHcVAvQJB0hkavjg-NPECZqr0eGrXZMx05pznqtRbkzA6SY1~VxabWRr7t2QKGc0LXZy2Hb4DTz218O6BllcTSxMtlJRETYZCiLjSW11DMtXSvxSm-IhPYHCK2tMtyyXJQzXBnVcY5TqXDJGg-on17wJbqiQcBf1NYpLFb6D~F0AEhNZnU1UC3T7cFEgULQDBIQ3pmbPGGb5WtkfaFV35iI8s7RoVFra9GHkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lyons Township High School District 204 board on Monday approved an amended donation agreement and construction contract to build a new girls varsity softball field at South Campus, expanding the project from the originally funded base scope.

Superintendent Dr. Waterman told trustees the original board authorization in February 2024 approved bid specification development and a $2 million donation agreement to design and construct the field. Bids opened May 22, and the base project returned at just over $2 million, with alternates for grandstands, press box, scoreboard, AV and lighting totaling about $710,000, bringing the estimated total to roughly $2.7 million.

\"In addition to that original $2,000,000 donation, the Baker family has expressed interest in donating an additional $1,000,000 so that the base project and all alternate items can be included in the project,\" Dr. Waterman said. The board voted to approve the amended donation agreement to reflect the $3,000,000 total pledge.

Separately, the board approved a construction contract with Henry Brothers. Brian Stayshet (business official) reported the low bidder for the construction was Henry Brothers at $1,427,000 plus alternate No. 1 for $4,600 (total $1,431,600). Additional items — synthetic turf, scoreboard/video board, AV, lighting, bleachers and netting — will be procured through cooperative purchasing for $1,346,552, yielding a project cost of $2,778,152. Stayshet said an additional $220,000 of the $3,000,000 donation is expected to cover architect and project fees.

Board members praised the donation and the planned facility. A motion to approve the amended donation agreement passed on a roll call vote and the contract and cooperative expenditures were later approved by the board on separate roll calls.

What the board approved: the amended $3 million donation agreement, the Henry Brothers contract in the amount of $1,431,600 (including the listed alternate) and cooperative purchases totaling $1,346,552; the total projected project cost is $2,778,152. Trustees said they are grateful to the Baker family and that the project will deliver the field and the additional amenities for student athletes.

Next steps: District staff will finalize procurement through cooperatives and coordinate construction schedules so the project fits the summer timeline for installation and opening.","Lyons Township High School District 204 approved an amended $3 million donation agreement for a new girls varsity softball field and awarded a $1.4316 million construction contract to Henry Brothers, with cooperative purchases bringing total project cost to $2,778,152.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6194104,"District 204 board adopts amended FY25 budget showing $2.9 million projected shortfall",469,1000000,1469000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3864872-c4694f981a8dfb7d6b59e3c5654043a0&start=1000&end=1469","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3864872-c4694f981a8dfb7d6b59e3c5654043a0/thumbnail_1000000.jpg","/articles/6194104/Illinois/District-204-board-adopts-amended-FY25-budget-showing-29-million-projected-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194104-7da5078b1e3e7231cbd90463854448db/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448480&Signature=Fgd3hw-u1TIVzuvYHsv~lRTyg6WY~CoKh3irJGeDwlAjjVwvWSV9HZnAYuF1nivOz2KSJpZ01~yxDgbn3GqFH-NV4yjBOUPxYvdgI-An1IpKs0BclEgYjh2gEvd-WWdkHbphEh13SV8dd-3oF5qdl3YPS8gd3XDqLgeGJBfe2jJIBEgua8TXUUha7qJLbif~JVnZzyZRdh6wPJF~uPd8-GstUPWzwShgp51eAH70OzYtVQ4J1OJxSMPGbp6SzM9mDdyK6nBmCiWqgj-WPSMLbgam4SSN6EGs8t5Mh5oVlEouebQuVuxmu57MTBp3jAL-MmxzGuafCA4d-f0505mEuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lyons Township High School District 204 on Monday approved an amended FY2025 budget that incorporates new capital and operating items, moves $700,000 between funds and shows a $2.9 million deficit projection.

The board voted to adopt the final amended budget after a presentation from Brian Stayshais, the district’s business official, who told trustees that insurance expenses that had been estimated at $3.5 million were reduced to about $2.5 million in the amended figures. “I am happy to say at this point that some of the expense for insurance that we were seeing has actually come down a little bit,” Stayshais said during the meeting.

The action reflects three main changes the administration recommended: additions for projects approved after the original budget totaling about $8 million, $500,000 added for student transportation and $500,000 for out‑of‑district tuition. The amendment also moves $700,000 from the operations and maintenance (O&M) fund into the education fund to pay for furniture expected for the South Campus addition. Stayshais described the transfer as a fund-to-fund reallocation, not new spending.

Why it matters: Trustees were told the transfers reflect timing and project needs as the fiscal year closes June 30 and that auditors will reconcile accruals in the fall. Stayshais said the district will provide a cash‑basis update in August and complete audited financial statements with the auditors in September.

Board members asked for more detail about the insurance trend and for the district to monitor whether current expense trends carry into FY26. One trustee said, “That’s good news on the insurance,” after Stayshais’ update. Stayshais noted the packet includes a 10‑year budget‑to‑actual history of medical insurance costs through May 2025.

Key numbers and moves: the amended budget reflects an $18.6 million transfer tied to South Campus projects (a $5.0 million transfer plus $13.6 million for summer projects) that had been handled previously in a separate hearing and reflected now in the budget document. The district projects a $2.9 million deficit in the amended budget but Stayshais said he expects the final results to be better once all revenues and unused expenses are tallied.

The motion to adopt the amended FY25 budget passed on a roll call vote; board members present voted to approve the budget. The board and staff said they plan to deliver a cash‑basis update in August and the audited results in September.

The vote concludes the district’s work closing FY25 and sets the accounting picture the administration will refine over the summer. The board asked staff to keep monitoring insurance costs, transportation and tuition outlays as planning for FY26 continues.","Lyons Township High School District 204 on June 16 adopted an amended fiscal 2025 budget that records new project spending, transfers between funds and a $2.9 million projected deficit while officials said actual results may improve after year-end accounting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

LaGrange area special education cooperative outlines services; board OKs $34.4M FY26 tentative budget

Baker family increases gift; District 204 approves $2.78M softball field project and construction contract

District 204 board adopts amended FY25 budget showing $2.9 million projected shortfall