Plainfield 202 outlines growth in special‑education needs, expands student health supports

Plainfield SD 202 administrators updated the Board of Education committee on May 14 about the district’s student services caseloads, health supports and funding, saying the district saw a small drop in students served through the McKinney‑Vento program even as special‑education and 504 plan enrollments continue to grow.

The presentation, led by Dr. Paula Sorelius of district administration, detailed supports the district provides to students who are homeless, medically homebound or hospitalized, and to students with special education needs. “For the past three years, we did see a growth in the number of students that are eligible. But you could see this year, we saw a decrease of approximately 61 students,” Dr. Sorelius said about McKinney‑Vento enrollment changes.

That decline reflects two main outcomes, she said: about 44 families obtained housing within or outside the district and another roughly 44 students moved during the summer with unknown destinations. The district noted that many of the families it lost contact with were refugees.

Administrators also reported ongoing health‑service activity:…