Township High School District 211 approved intergovernmental agreements with the North Cook Intermediate Service Center and the Regional Office of Education for the 2025–26 school year after a contested discussion at the board meeting.

The agreements give District 211 access to three alternative programs and embedded student advocates provided by NCISC; the board vote carried with one dissenting vote. Board Member Dombrowski voted no and raised concerns about the contract language, including potential per‑student costs for the West 40 online alternative program and a clause he said could require the district to pay unemployment benefits if West 40 terminated an advocate. He also criticized provisions he interpreted as obligating the district to “advocate for evidence based funding” for outside providers and said that could reduce state funds available to the district.

Superintendent Lisa Small and district staff explained that NCISC currently places student advocates in District 211 schools at no cost, that any per‑student fees for West 40 apply only if the district uses that service, and that the regional office has covered start‑up costs in prior years. The administration told the board the agreements give District 211 priority access to placements within the North Cook region but do not obligate the district to send any students.

Several board members defended the relationship with NCISC as a valuable option for students who need services the district cannot provide in‑house. One board member said the in‑school advocates had been “an invaluable resource” for attendance and behavior interventions and that the district had used NCISC services selectively in prior years.

After further questions about a minimum‑participant clause and whether any up‑front costs remained, the board voted on the motion to approve the agreements. The roll call showed one no vote (Dombrowski) and the motion carried.

The action means District 211 retains the option to place students in NCISC programs, to use West 40 as an online option if needed, and to continue embedding NCISC student advocates in schools. The administration said it will follow up with additional answers about the West 40 minimums and cost contingencies at board members’ requests.