Lake Forest board hears plan to centralize special-education services in new Compass program

At its April 23 meeting at Lake Forest High School, the Lake Forest School District presented a multi-part plan called "Compass" to expand services for students with complex special-education needs. District staff said the proposal would create an 18–22 transition program focused on employment and independent-living skills, a separate K–3 deep-support (D) setting for students with the most intensive needs, and an expanded Highroads program to serve K–12 students requiring structured behavioral supports.

The Compass plan, presented by Michelle, the district's program lead, outlines a phased enrollment and staffing model. Michelle said the district currently anticipates about eight students who could use the 18–22 program this year, projects a near-term increase to about 14 students, and expects to serve roughly 22 students as the program matures. "We have about 8 students who could potentially stay," she said, "and by the third year we predict an additional 8 students with a total of 22 students." She…