Chicago Suburb Boosts Special Ed Staff
District 161, which serves suburbs south of Chicago, has approved the hiring of two new special education teachers. The decision was made to reduce service loads at Heather Hill and Western Avenue schools, which have been strained by large class sizes and increasing student needs. The move highlights the ongoing pressure on special education resources within local school systems.
- The request for two new teachers was prompted by an influx of students needing special education services mid-year; 44 new students moved into the district with existing Individualized Education Program (IEP) minutes, and 21 current students were newly identified as needing special education services. - This increase in students has led to oversized small groups at both Heather Hill and Western Avenue schools, straining the district's ability to meet evidence-based staffing ratios for special education. - The new hires are part of a broader effort by Flossmoor School District 161, which serves approximately 2,314 students across five schools, to address evolving student needs. - These staffing challenges reflect a statewide trend; a recent report indicated that over 90% of Illinois school districts have issues with unfilled teaching positions, with 1,360 of roughly 4,000 vacancies being for special education teachers. - Special education teachers are responsible for developing and implementing IEPs, which can include academic support, social-emotional services, and therapies like speech, occupational, or physical therapy. - The district is actively recruiting for these roles, with job postings for Special Education Resource Teachers at both Heather Hill and Western Avenue schools appearing in February 2026. - Funding for special education in Illinois comes from a combination of state and federal sources, with districts able to seek reimbursement for certain costs associated with providing services to students with disabilities. - Superintendent Dana Smith, who has been with the district for nine years, will be stepping down, meaning this staffing decision comes during a period of leadership transition for District 161.
