Board extends contracts for vision services, public day placement and special‑education training

The District 207 Board of Education approved multiple items to support students with special needs: renewal of a contract with House of Light for vision and orientation‑and‑mobility (O&M) services, an intergovernmental agreement to continue placing a student at a Niles Township public day school, and a renewal of consulting with Empowered Education Consulting for program review follow‑up and professional development.

Administration said the district has struggled to recruit certified teachers for orientation and mobility and has relied on House of Light to provide specialists required by students’ IEPs; the board approved extending that agreement so services can continue. The board also approved an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Niles Township District (public day school) to continue serving a ninth‑grade student who moved into the district and was already placed at the program; district staff noted the placement prevents educational disruption.

The board approved continuing Empowered Education Consulting for a second year to provide professional development for co‑teachers and inclusion facilitators and to train in‑district LBS1 staff to sustain future training. District staff said Empowered Education work will be funded through the Individuals with Disabilities Education grant and will include on‑site coaching hours tied to the prior special‑education program review.

All three actions were approved by roll call.