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Oak Park ESD 97 hears student‑services overview highlighting inclusion, special‑education supports
Summary
Senior director Donna Middleton and student‑services staff told the board the department supports multilingual learners, students with 504 plans and more than 1,000 students receiving special education services and outlined family supports, inclusion initiatives and participation goals for IEPs.
Donna Middleton, the district’s senior director of student services, told the Oak Park Elementary School District 97 board the department “exists to support our students, to support our families, and to also support our staff.” The presentation on district student services introduced staff representatives and outlined the department’s programs and priorities.
Middleton and her team said the department supports three main learner groups and provided current counts: 186 multilingual students, 462 students with 504 plans and 1,082 students receiving special education services. She framed the work as linked to the district’s equity policy and read aloud language emphasizing equitable, not merely equal, access to resources and supports.
The staff introduced the student‑services team and described programs that connect families, staff and specialists: a Multilingual Parent Advisory Committee and a Special Education Parent Advisory Committee that inform practice; a monthly special‑education parent support group run by social workers; a new “student night in” respite program; and reintegration supports for students returning from out‑of‑district therapeutic placements. The presentation highlighted the district’s inclusive programming, noting the growth of Unified Special Olympics teams and district‑level events celebrating participation.
During questions, board members pressed for practical details about family outreach and measurement. Staff said they collect post‑IEP surveys and reported that 867 families rated their IEP meeting experience 5 out of 5. On student participation in IEPs, staff said teams are working to individualize opportunities so participation matches each student’s developmental stage and family preferences.
The presentation included an invitation to an upcoming unified athletics celebration (listed in the packet as an 11:15 event at Brooks). Staff said families do not need to register to attend the celebration. Board members praised the work and asked staff to continue sharing data on program reach, family engagement and outcomes so trustees can track equity and access across schools.
The district will not be taking formal action on student‑services programming at tonight’s meeting; staff said they will continue to report program metrics and family feedback to the board in future updates.
