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Elmhurst SD 205 board ratifies SASID articles of agreement updates, including 18‑month withdrawal process
Summary
The Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 board voted 6–0 to ratify proposed amendments to the SASID joint articles of agreement that update school‑code compliance, set an 18‑month withdrawal procedure and clarify financial and property‑acquisition rules for the cooperative.
At the June 23 meeting, the Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 board approved a resolution to ratify proposed revisions to the School Association for Special Education in DuPage County (SASID) joint articles of agreement.
Dr. Rubenstein, assistant superintendent for student services, described SASID as a cooperative that provides specialized programs and related services (occupational and physical therapy, orientation and mobility specialists, behavioral intervention and therapeutic day placements) the district could not cost‑effectively staff on its own. He told the board that District 205 paid about $2.9 million to the cooperative over the past year and that roughly 65% of that amount went to specialized services; he also said the district averages about six students placed in SASID programs per year.
The proposed amendments address several items, Dr. Rubenstein said: administrative updates to conform with recent school code changes, new, more explicit procedures for withdrawal that include an 18‑month notification process and spelled‑out financial implications, and clarified procedures for acquisition and future ownership of property by SASID. Those changes were recommended to make governance and financial responsibilities clearer to member districts.
Board member Beth Hustler, who serves on the SASID governing board, and other trustees spoke in support of the cooperative and the proposed centralization of programs to reduce satellite locations. The board approved the resolution by roll call vote (6–0, one absent); motion made by Mrs. Hustler and seconded as recorded.
Dr. Rubenstein said the SASID board has already approved initial changes and that each member district must now vote on the revisions. He noted the cooperative’s current plans under negotiation to centralize programs into fewer owned facilities and that any additional debt or property acquisitions would affect member districts’ tuition/take‑up shares under the revised articles.
The board did not take separate action on funding for future SASID capital costs at the meeting; members asked to be kept apprised as negotiations proceed.
