Board reviews proposal to place two student advocates at Lincoln to support students at risk

District staff presented a memo recommending the district contract with North Cook Intermediate Service Center to place two student advocates at Lincoln Middle School under the Alternative Learning Opportunities Program (ALAP).

According to the memo, each advocate would carry a caseload of about 30 students (roughly 60 students total) and provide individualized wraparound supports, including home visits and coordinated transportation back to school. The district presenter said the first‑year cost is approximately $38,000 with a much smaller ongoing annual fee (about $350 per advocate), and said neighboring districts have reported positive outcomes (administrative data cited in the packet showed high satisfaction metrics from other districts).

Board members asked about whether the district has sufficient students to fill caseloads, the advocates’ training and educational background, who would supervise the advocates on site, and whether advocates could support students with special‑education needs when appropriate. The presenter said advocates are employed by North Cook, receive a month of initial training followed by ongoing professional development, and would be supervised by Lincoln administrators on site. She also said the advocates’ work is intended to fit within the district’s multi‑tiered system of supports and that advocates could assist students with attendance, behavior and engagement but would not provide formal special‑education minutes recorded in an IEP.

The item was placed on first read; the board will receive any additional information requested (including CFAC and funding clarifications) and consider final approval at a subsequent meeting.