Special ed goes to church
Barrington Area Unit District 220 has a new home for its special education students who need more instruction after they complete their senior year.
On Monday, the Barrington village board gave final approval for the school district to use space at St. Michael's Church as its new transition special education facility.
"We are just thrilled," said Connie Simon, District 220's director of special services following Monday's decision by the village board.
Currently the space at the church, 245 Sturtz St., is used to house adult religious education classes. Village officials said those classes will continue when the transitional program is not occupying the space.
According to District 220, the transitional program serves special education students between the ages of 18 and 21.
The program, which is state-mandated, requires school districts provide these students with community experiences, daily living skills and vocational training.
As of now, the district is able to offer individualized instruction only to its special education students who need more time in school following their senior year.
"We are going to be moving to a community-based approach," Simon said, adding that the students now will be able to take classes with their peers.
Specifically, the program will teach the students skills such as banking, cleaning, cooking and utilizing transportation in a natural setting.
No more than 12 students will be in the program at one time.
The transition facility will operate 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, between September and June.
Earlier this summer, District 220 agreed to lease the space from St. Michael's Church for $1,000 a month for nine months. The lease agreement also calls for an increase in rent each year based on the Consumer Price Index.
The district said it currently has six students eligible for the program and expect another four to eligible next fall.
Simon said the goal is to move the students into the new facility in the early part of October.