Special Services District 158 sign now

To: Superintendent and Board of Education of Consolidated School District 158--John Burkey, Shawn Green, Kevin Gentry, Kimberly Skaja, Don Drzal, Aileen Seedorf, Michael Skala, Paul Troy

RE: Special Services in Consolidated School District 158

It is our sincere belief that the following measures would be in the best interest of the students in District 158 who are receiving special services. We ask that you do the following:

1) Take the economic stimulus (ARRA) funding over the two year period, rather than one, to ensure that more is spent on new services

2) Since so much of the ARRA funding is slated for a reading program that has to our knowledge not been tested on the students receiving special services in our district, run a trial program (fewer licenses than currently planned) of the READ 180 computer program, and make sure to test only students receiving special services. Base future spending on those results.

3) Use more of this ARRA funding on education/further education of teachers and aides, to give them the best possible tools to work with students with special needs of all types

4) Specifically seek input from parents whose children are receiving services in this district, on the ARRA funding as well as the future of special services in our district