The Examiner U-46 News FeedU-46 Board focused on district expense items By Seth Hancock
The Board of Education in School District U-46 will vote on $283,795 in expenditures over two items at its next meeting on Monday, Oct. 17.
The items, which were presented on Monday, Oct. 3, include $254,029 for a one-year contract with Central Area Interpreter Referral Services (CAIRS) and $29,766 with Elgin Community College (ECC). The expenditure with CAIRS would be paid out of the education fund while the nation’s taxpayers will be asked to pay ECC with Title I and II funds.
According to the proposal with CAIRS there is a shortage of sign language interpreters for deaf students, parents and staff and this contract is needed “in order to maintain compliance” with state and federal law.
Board member Phil Costello asked “how many students does this contract support?”
Leatrice Satterwhite, director of specialized student services, did not have the exact number on hand but there is an “increase in the services” by 3.5 interpreters. She said the increase is needed for those students who need “their own one-on-one interpreters.”
Board member Sue Kerr asked if the state or federal government will reimburse any of the cost. Satterwhite said the district can be reimbursed $3,500 per interpreter.
According to the proposal, the expenditure with ECC is for “facility rental and support to accommodate our 2,500 teachers during our… District Collaboration Days.”
The collaboration days are set for Jan. 5 and 6 of next year.
That evening, the board unanimously approved $3.6 million in itemized bills as well as a purchase of Leveled Literacy Intervention materials with Heinemann Publishing at a cost of $113,250, which will come out of the education fund, and a three-year contract with Tyco Simplex Grinnell costing $296,204, which will be paid for out of the operations and maintenance fund.
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