Community High School District 155

D155 uses multiple methods to identify students who may need special education services. Referrals can be made by parents/guardians, teachers, or other school professionals. In addition, schools use ongoing classroom performance data to help identify potential needs.

When a referral is received, a team of school professionals meets to determine whether a case study evaluation is appropriate. If an evaluation is recommended, the IEP team meets with parents/guardians to review existing information and identify the specific areas (domains) to be assessed, which may include health, vision, hearing, social/emotional status, cognitive functioning, academic performance, communication, and motor skills. Parent/guardian consent is required before any evaluation begins.

Once consent is received and assessments are completed, the team meets within required state timelines (generally within 60 school days) to review results and determine eligibility for special education services.

For information about making a referral, please contact the Special Education Division Leader at your student’s school.

D155’s standard practice is that IEP meetings are not recorded unless all team members agree.

If a parent/guardian needs a meeting recorded to meaningfully participate due to a disability or other impacting factor, a request must be submitted at least 10 calendar days prior to the meeting so the District can review and consider an exception to standard practice.

If the request is based on a parent/guardian disability, documentation from a licensed physician, physician assistant (PA), or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) must be provided, along with an explanation of why recording is needed as an accommodation.

Requests should be submitted to the Superintendent or designee, or the Building Principal, consistent with Board Policy 8:70. If recording is approved as a reasonable accommodation, the parent/guardian will be permitted to record the meeting, even if all team members do not agree. The school will also maintain a copy of the recording as part of the student’s temporary record.

The District may determine that an alternative reasonable accommodation will support meaningful parent/guardian participation. Section 504 and IEP meetings may not be broadcast or shared, including on social media. If meetings occur by phone or video conference, they may not be recorded unless an exception has been approved by the District.

Destruction of Records Notice

This notice contains the destruction schedule for your or your student’s school records as required by rule of the Illinois State Board of Education, Section 375.40(c). As you or your student is permanently withdrawing, transferring, or graduating from Community High School District 155, you are notified of the schedule below for destruction of the school records. This schedule complies with the Illinois School Student Records Act, 105 ILCS 10/4(e) and (f), requirements that (1) temporary records be retained for at least 5 years after a student’s transfer, withdrawal, or graduation, and (2) permanent records be retained for at least 60 years after a student’s transfer, withdrawal, or graduation. The parent(s)/guardian(s), or the student if he or she is at least 18 years of age at the time of the request, may request a copy of a record at any time prior to the date of destruction listed below.

• Class of 2021 - Temporary records will be destroyed no earlier than: July 1, 2026
  Permanent records will be destroyed no earlier than: 2081
• Class of 2022 - Temporary records will be destroyed no earlier than: July 1, 2027
  Permanent records will be destroyed no earlier than: 2082
• Class of 2023 - Temporary records will be destroyed no earlier than: July 1, 2028
  Permanent records will be destroyed no earlier than: 2083
• Class of 2024 - Temporary records will be destroyed no earlier than: July 1, 2029
  Permanent records will be destroyed no earlier than: 2084
• Class of 2025 - Temporary records will be destroyed no earlier than: July 1, 2030
  Permanent records will be destroyed no earlier than: 2085
• Class of 2026 - Temporary records will be destroyed no earlier than: July 1, 2031
  Permanent records will be destroyed no earlier than: 2086