Tiffany Schneider and Mrs. McNichols, presenters for the special services department, told the board the district reduced out‑of‑district placements from 24 to 13 in 2024–25 by expanding alternative education and in‑district supports.

The department highlighted endowment‑funded classroom improvements, virtual‑reality headsets for instruction, a rebuilt chicken coop at the South Campus and a new earnings stream from student‑run egg sales. Schneider said the department also restructured its SOAR program to include life‑management curriculum, restorative practices and incentives that help reintegrate students into the general campus.

Most notably, the district will expand its transition programming for students aged 18–22. The program will be rebranded as the RISE House (Rise: Bridal Life Independent Skills and Empowerment) with classroom space at the Smiley campus and additional staff; the district engaged the Illinois Center for Transition at Work (University of Illinois) to audit programming and advise on best practices. The board was told the expansion will enable more targeted vocational and independence planning for students who age out at 22.

The department also reported progress on cyclical monitoring under Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) requirements and said it performed well in the first round of the six‑year process. Several department‑level projects used endowment funds to provide flexible seating, VR equipment and an updated life‑management curriculum.