River Valley Special Recreation asks Manteno to join as partner district to make programs cheaper and expand services

River Valley Special Recreation Association made a formal presentation at the Feb. 3 Village of Manteno Board meeting seeking a partnership that would extend in‑district program rates and scholarship eligibility to Manteno residents.

Kristen Giacchino, executive director of River Valley Special Recreation Association, told trustees the agency provides therapeutic recreational programming for people with disabilities and special needs and that park-district member levies cover most of River Valley’s operating budget. She cited Illinois authorities that allow a municipality to levy property tax support for a special recreation association and said the village could either use municipal levy authority or identify funds in its budget to support participation.

Giacchino said River Valley served roughly 22 Manteno residents in 2024 and offered 105 program sessions that year. Manteno residents spent $19,415 at River Valley in 2024, she said; as out‑of‑district participants they paid 25–40% more than in‑district families and could have collectively saved about $7,716 by being treated as in‑district participants. Giacchino said a Manteno membership would enable River Valley to hire another full‑time staff member and expand programs.

Parents and board members described the programs’ local impact. Jenny Rensham, who identified herself as a Manteno resident and parent of a child who attends River Valley, described how her son Sam has attended River Valley programs for 15 years and credited the agency with providing consistent supervision, social skills development and life‑skill activities. Peggy Souking, treasurer of the River Valley Special Recreation Foundation and a parent, said scholarships currently are available only to in‑district participants and that a Manteno partnership would make programs more affordable for local families.

Kim Mead, who said she is both a parent of a participant and a recreation professional, described the agency’s summer programming, adult day program and Special Olympics offerings and urged trustees to visit River Valley’s facilities.

Trustees asked for additional numbers. Giacchino said she could provide district comparisons and urged trustees to tour River Valley’s space. Trustee Boudreaux said she would work with staff to obtain Census or other data to estimate how many Manteno residents might benefit.

No formal vote was taken on joining River Valley. Trustees and River Valley representatives agreed to follow up with additional data and future meetings to discuss details including fees, levy options and scholarship availability.

Why it matters: A partnership would lower costs for local families, expand program access for residents with disabilities, and could increase River Valley staffing and services if funded by a municipal levy or other village appropriation.