This testimony is given on behalf of Williamson County Special Education District which is comprised of the five (5) school districts located within Williamson County which are: 

          Johnston City Unit School District No.1

          Marion Unit School District No. 2

          Crab Orchard Unit School District No. 3

          Herrin Unit School District No. 4

          Carterville Unit School District No. 5

The special education cooperative was organized in 1967 for the purpose of providing services within the five (5) school districts for all students with disabilities. In 1969 the cooperative began operating a regionally based program for students who are hearing impaired, and more recently this program has been broadened to serve autistic and communication disordered students.        

     We recognize that this Advisory Board was organized for the purpose of studying the finance for school districts in order to address the issues of equity and adequacy for all students. We appreciate the enormity of your task, and realize that these issues affect all of the students within our counties in Southern Illinois.        

     Historically, as all of you may know, there has been discussion to combine all state monies which are distributed to school districts into a simplified method of funding schools. On behalf, of the Executive Board of Williamson County Special Education District, we would strongly urge this committee to continue the categorical reimbursement system for Students with Disabilities. Because of the highly specific nature of these services for each disabled student, and their high cost, this reimbursement should not be combined. Local school board decision-making might intercede, and these services might be converted into a new track, or basketball uniforms, etc. Since these services are federally mandated, and litigation could occur in order to enforce the implementation of services, school district costs would be increased for no reason.