NSSEO (North Suburban Special Education Organization) is asking member districts to review a draft change to its articles of agreement that would add an operational board composed of member‑district superintendents to sit alongside the existing elected governing board, NSSEO’s superintendent said Aug. 21.

The proposed change would create a two‑tier governance structure: the elected governing board (one elected member from each district) would continue to set the budget and hire and evaluate the NSSEO superintendent; an operational board made up of superintendents would meet publicly under the Illinois Open Meetings Act and hold delegated authority to make many day‑to‑day operational decisions affecting program design, staffing models, e‑learning policy, and transportation.

Why it matters: Member districts jointly fund and place students in NSSEO programs. NSSEO’s presentation framed the change as a means to increase transparency, reduce off‑line decision‑making and misinformation, and ensure superintendent‑level expertise is part of operational decisions that affect services and budgets.

What was presented
Dr. Meg Shore, NSSEO superintendent, explained the shift was recommended during a strategic‑planning process and that adding an operational board would make deliberations and decisions more public and legally accountable under the Open Meetings Act. She said the governing board would retain budget authority and the power to hire and evaluate the NSSEO superintendent, while the operational board would have delegated operational authority to make choices about program design and other operational matters inside the established budget.

Board materials and timeline
Debbie (board member) told CCSD 21 trustees the draft 2025 articles of agreement and a condensed Q&A had been provided in the board packet and asked CCSD 21 board members to review the materials and signal by Sept. 3 whether the district is comfortable pushing the draft out to member districts for a formal review period. She said the draft has already been reviewed by counsel and that there will be a 90‑day review window for member districts to submit questions and request clarifications.

Questions and clarifications during the meeting
Trustees asked whether the operational board would make recommendations or binding decisions; presenters answered that it would vary by item and be governed by delegated authority spelled out in the articles of agreement. Trustees asked whether the governing board would retain sole authority to hire the executive director/superintendent; presenters confirmed the governing board would continue to hire and evaluate the NSSEO superintendent. The presenters also clarified that a majority of member districts, not unanimity, is required to ratify the articles.

Discussion versus decision
At the Aug. 21 meeting the CCSD 21 board did not ratify any change. The board was asked only to approve distribution of the draft to member districts for review; Debbie asked board members to indicate support for pushing the draft out for review. No final action on the articles was recorded that night.

Context and clarifying details
- NSSEO materials included a draft “Articles of Agreement (2025)” and a condensed Q&A; presenters said the draft had been reviewed by NSSEO counsel.
- The draft timeline includes a 90‑day review period once CCSD 21 and other member districts agree to advance the materials.
- NSSEO said the proposed operational board would meet publicly under the Open Meetings Act (Illinois Open Meetings Act referenced in the presentation).

What’s next
Board members were asked to review the draft and respond by Sept. 3 so the district can decide whether to push the documents to member districts for the formal review period; final ratification would later require action by the governing board and a majority of member districts.