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Parents, teachers urge Mercer County district to retain special-ed staff and expand life-skills programming
Summary
At the March 25 meeting, a longtime educator asked the board to re-evaluate removing a special-education teacher amid a statewide shortage, while two district special-education teachers presented plans to expand life-skills and transition programs from elementary through high school.
A longtime educator and two Mercer County School District 404 teachers pressed the school board on March 25 to protect special-education capacity and broaden life-skills and transition programming for students with disabilities.
Longtime educator Chris Jossy told the board it should reconsider eliminating a position held by Mallory Matlock, warning the district risks losing certified staff amid a statewide shortage. "There are 850 special ed openings in the state of Illinois right now," Jossy said, arguing the board should look for ways to retain Matlock — for example by reassigning her as a general substitute or as a building-level substitute to cover special-education needs.
The remarks prefaced two staff presentations about expanding transition and life-skills services. "Addressing these barriers earlier in the transition process could improve both educational and career paths," said Rhonda Linder, a sixth-grade special-education teacher at Mercer County School District 404, who described school-based enterprises, community‑based work experiences, job coaching and partnerships (she cited programs such as UnityPoint's local initiative and the DOORS counselor) as potential steps to improve employment outcomes for students with disabilities.
Natalie Nelson, a life-skills teacher at Mercer County School District 404, described the district's existing continuum — junior-high and high-school life-skills classrooms — and proposed adding an elementary-level life-skills classroom next year. Nelson outlined classroom activities (functional math, cooking, hygiene instruction, community outings) and said the district uses the Unique Learning System curriculum to align functional skills across grade spans. "We bring students into the community — Happy Joe's, Coffee Junction, the Y — so they interact with adults and practice skills," Nelson said, inviting board members to observe a student-run snack-cart demonstration on Friday morning.
Board members thanked the presenters and indicated the district will consider staffing and program options as budgets and hiring needs are evaluated. No formal action on staffing for Mallory Matlock was taken at the meeting.
The matter remains under discussion; staff and community members emphasized quick action to avoid losing certified special-education teachers to other districts.
