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SCHOOL DISTRICT 65 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING JUNE 18TH AT 7 PM at the Joseph Hill building, 1500 McDaniel Ave.
The School Board will be discussing a memo written by Joyce Bartz, Director of Special Services, regarding her recommendation to "transfer one of the two classess serving students with emotional disabilities from Lincolnwood to Kingsley in fall, 2012." To read her memo click here.
Despite the fact that the Board confirmed unanamously that they would not support such a move at the meeting on June 4th, Dr. Murhpy would like the Board to discuss the issue again in response to the formal recommendation from Joyce Bartz.
CASE will be advocating for an acknowledgement from the Administration that this move is in direct conflict with the Strategic Plan Instructional Goal C5, "Maximize continuity of program placement and services for special needs students and populations and other specialized programs."
In 2009 CASE advocated for this goal to be added to the plan. At the time it was commonplace for programs for students with disabilities to be moved due to space constraints. Families of typical kids could expect that their children would attend the same school year to year, and yet parents of students with disabilities didn't feel secure in that same expectation. Not only was this disruptive to their childr's education, but it caused undue stress and anxiety for kids who have difficulty with transition and change.
So, D65, let's call it what it is. This is not a move for the purpose of improving the performance of a program, as is suggested in Ms. Bartz's memo. This is a move purely for the purpose of solving a space problem at Lincolnwood School.
Changes in the ED program may not directly effect your child, but if a precident is set that it's okay to move programs again, this issue may effect you in the future.
CASE will be asking the Administration if they are changing the Strategic Plan goal. And if so, we will request that the Administration put it to a Board vote with community input.
If you would like to speak at the Board meeting, you must contact Pat Markham at markhamp@district65.net BEFORE NOON on Monday to sign up. You can also write a letter to the school board at: schoolboard@district65.net.
Cari Levin, LCSW
Founding Director
Evanston CASE
"Never doubt that a smal group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
--Margaret Mead
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Evanston Citizens for Appropriate Special Education (CASE) 
