District 158 approves special ed. programs

After months of discussion and numerous revisions, the Huntley Unit District 158 school board has finally approved a list of new special education projects.

The initiatives, which include disability awareness training for all employees, new technology and reading programs, will be funded with $1.6 million in federal stimulus money the district expects to receive this year and next year.

The board's approval of the list this month caps more than six months of debate among special education staff, board members and parents over how to spend the money.

The district's initial plan for the stimulus cash galvanized parents, who demanded input in how the money was spent and extracted a promise from the board that the full sum would be spent on new special education initiatives.

"When you look at that under a microscope, you can always find things you're not happy with," board member Don Drzal said. "There were quite a number of changes made to work with what the suggestions were."

Now, district staff must submit the list to the state for approval.

"They're working on the grant," Superintendent John Burkey said. "We can't even do purchase orders until the state approves it."

Although parents have applauded the changes the district staff has made to the spending list, they fear the roughly $800,000 the board has pledged to spend on new programs next year will never materialize because of budgetary concerns.