Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Special Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
LaGrange area special education cooperative outlines services; board OKs $34.4M FY26 tentative budget
Summary
Lyons Township High School District 204 heard an overview of the LaGrange area department of special education (LADSI) services — including LRB Academy and Project SEARCH — and approved LADSI’s FY2026 tentative budget of $34.4 million, a 4.52% increase driven by added classroom capacity and contractual cost increases.
Trustees for Lyons Township High School District 204 received an hour‑long briefing on services provided by the LaGrange area department of special education (LADSI) and approved LADSI’s FY2026 tentative budget of $34.4 million at the June 16 board meeting.
Dr. Ambuehl, LADSI’s executive director, described the cooperative’s work supporting about 3,500 students with individualized education programs across 15 member districts and noted LADSI employs roughly 400 staff. LADSI operates programs from early childhood through transition age (up to nearly age 23), including specialized autism classrooms, a phonology early childhood program, deaf/hard‑of‑hearing services, Project SEARCH internships at a local hospital and LRB Academy, a therapeutic day school serving high school students who struggle to function in a large environment.
"We currently have 15 member districts... about just under 3,500 students with IEPs within our 15 member districts," Dr. Ambuehl said. He explained LADSI’s work includes direct programs, purchased services (speech, OT, PT, nursing and school psychology for districts that purchase those services), district consultations, transportation coordination and professional development for staff.
Leslie Owens and district staff described how LT uses LADSI services: about one‑third of the district's special education students (roughly 150–170 students) receive related services through LADSI providers, and LADSI supports training for paraeducators and staff, state special education reporting and coordination of purchase services. Owens noted having LRB Academy nearby reduces travel for students in therapeutic placements and facilitates transitions back to the home school.
Budget action: Nick, LADSI’s business manager, presented the FY26 tentative budget of $34,400,000 — a 4.52% increase over FY25. He said much of the increase reflects added communication/development (CD) classrooms for students on the autism spectrum at primary grades, contractual and rental costs to house classrooms, a 4% salary increase budgeted for staff and a 10% increase estimated for insurance and benefits.
The district, serving as LADSI’s fiscal agent, held a hearing and then approved the tentative budget; LADSI will return in August with the final budget for board approval. Trustees thanked LADSI leadership for the presentation and asked follow‑up questions about Project SEARCH capacity (12 students per year) and the cooperative’s diversity, equity and inclusion work.
What the board approved: tentative LADSI FY26 budget of $34,400,000 (4.52% increase). LADSI will present a final adopted budget in August after member district review and the required public hearing process.
Why it matters: LADSI provides specialized educational programs and services that LT and its feeder districts rely on for students with significant disabilities; budgetary changes affect program capacity, staffing and the cooperative’s ability to place students in appropriate settings.
