Troubled students in McHenry County who have a history of disciplinary problems will get another chance to stay in school as a result of a new countywide school program.
The McHenry County Regional Safe School program will open in January to provide academic and therapeutic counseling to 7th- through 9th-grade students who have repeatedly been suspended or expelled.
About half the county’s 19 districts are expected to participate in the program.
Removing disruptive students from the classroom and addressing their needs in a different setting not only helps those students stay in school, but creates a safer atmosphere for the students who don’t get into trouble, said Don Englert, the regional schools superintendent for McHenry County.
Remodeling work is under way on the program’s facility, formerly a health and racquetball club at 1055 Lake Ave., Woodstock.
The program, run by the McHenry County Regional Office of Education, is being operated with a one-year $289,869 state grant.
The money will be used to remodel and furnish a portion of the building. It will also pay for staff–which will include a full-time director, teacher, teacher aide and the equivalent of a full-time therapeutic position–to be contracted from the McHenry County Youth Service Bureau.
Officials are unsure about future funding. But the first semester will begin with each member district paying to transport students it sends to the program, Englert said.
“(Grant money) will take us through the end of the school year and then we’ll re-apply,” Englert said.
A state law enacted about a year ago allows regional superintendents to apply for a grant to fund the program.
Since then, Englert’s office has been planning the program, with the help of about 25 people, including representatives from area school districts. His office has also received aid from various state and county agencies, including the Illinois Department of Public Aid, the Department of Children and Family Services and the McHenry County state’s attorney’s office.
“We took longer to plan it . . . It will mean we’ll have a better program that will last a long time,” Englert said.
Englert said he expects between 12 to 15 students in the program initially, with more students being referred to the program as the county population grows. He said data over a three-year period shows that an average of 9 to 12 students a year would be eligible for the program.
Referrals must be based on a combined decision of parents and school officials.
“This is not for the student who gets his or her name on the board for not doing homework. It is for more serious behaviors . . . possession of weapons or drugs, or those with assaultive or aggressive behavior toward students or teachers,” Englert said.
The program is designed to have students keep up with their academics so they can return to their schools after they have met their goals in the alternative education plan. Students will meet in a large classroom and may work in small or large groups to learn the same subjects that are taught in their home districts.
Counseling will be tailored to each individual student’s needs such as anger management, decision making, substance abuse, acceptance of authority and aggressive behavior, Englert said.
“The goal is to help the children learn how to control their behavior so they won’t disrupt their home schools’ classrooms. The goal is to reintegrate them,” said Susan Krause, executive director of the youth service bureau.
Said Englert: “I think it’s a need we’re seeing all over the state. (The program provides) a sound education, with a therapeutic component for those who find themselves faced with expulsion.
“Also, students in regular program will not have to deal with the (disruptive students). It provides a safer environment for students who (follow the rules) 99 percent of the time.”
She added the program may expand to include students in 10th grade.
High School District 155, serving Crystal Lake, Cary, Fox River Grove, and McHenry District 156 already offer similar programs for students whose needs are not met in a traditional classroom setting.
Although Crystal Lake Elementary District 47 had one expulsion in 30 years, school board members decided to join the program to expand its options, said Supt. Rick Bernotas.
“As the county grows, we want to be prepared,” Bernotas said. “We want to have options for our kids. The big thing is to keep them in school.”
