NSSEO superintendent proposes two‑tier governance; District 211 to review draft
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Summary
The superintendent of the Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization (NSSEO) proposed adding an operational board of member‑district superintendents to the current elected governing board. District 211 received a memo and draft revised articles of organization; NSSEO plans a 90‑day public comment period before a December vote.
The board heard a recorded presentation from Dr. Meg Schnoor, superintendent of the Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization (NSSEO), proposing a shift from a single‑tier governing board to a two‑tier structure that would add an operational board composed of member‑district superintendents.
Dr. Schnoor said the operational board would have formal decision‑making authority for operational matters—program design, staffing models, transportation and policy implementation—while the elected governing board would continue to set budget and high‑level direction. She said the change is intended to increase transparency, reduce off‑line decision‑making and give member districts a more direct role in operational decisions that affect programs and budgets.
District 211 President Steven Rosenblum told board members they would receive the draft revised articles of organization and a memo; the draft will be formally shared after a September 3 NSSEO governing‑board meeting. Rosenblum said there would be a 90‑day public comment period after distribution and that adoption, if pursued, would not occur before December.
Why it matters: NSSEO is a cooperative that provides special‑education services across member districts. An operational board made up of superintendents would meet under the Open Meetings Act and have formal authority on operational matters, Dr. Schnoor said; supporters said the change could improve accountability and coordination among member districts.
Board members asked for redlined comparison documents to make changes easier to review; Rosenblum said he would provide a redlined version. No formal vote was taken by the District 211 board on the governance change; the matter will proceed through NSSEO’s internal timeline for member‑district review and public comment.
Next steps: The NSSEO governing board plans to vote to distribute the draft at its Sept. 3 meeting, followed by a 90‑day comment period and a potential adoption vote in December.