Center Cass School District 66 administration celebrated the positive results of a comprehensive Special Education Review shared at the August 5th Board meeting. Conducted by TJ Consultants, the independent audit highlighted strong district leadership, dedicated educators, and exceptional community support as foundational strengths for student success. Auditors Dr. Judy Hackett and Dr. Tim Thomas praised District 66 for keeping students at the heart of its decision-making, establishing an encouraging baseline as the district prepares to launch its multi-year strategic plan centered on inclusive, high-quality, and equitable learning for every child.
The review praised the district's passionate, student-centered staff for fostering a welcoming environment where children feel a strong sense of belonging. District 66 excels in maintaining inclusive classrooms, with the majority of students receiving specialized services alongside their peers in general education settings for over 80% of the school day. The successful passage of the recent referendum was noted as a major milestone that provides necessary resources to proactively expand individual coaching, student support, and program oversight. Additionally, the district maintains a small 17:1 student-to-staff ratio while managing operational costs conservatively at $15,919 per student, ranking it among the most fiscally efficient PreK-8 districts in DuPage County.
Building on these strong family and community partnerships, District 66 plans to use the audit's guidance to continuously enhance student learning across all grade levels. Future efforts will focus on refining Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) for consistency across schools, expanding tailored professional development for educators, and tailoring customized learning options to meet the unique needs of every student.
Read the complete audit HERE.