D122 Will Lease Oakview Space to Special Ed. District

The New Lenox school district will renovate the lower level of Oster-Oakview School to provide space for classes through the Lincoln-Way Special Education District 843's SELF Program.

The District 122 school board unanimously approved a lease with District 843 on Wednesday to make renovations of up to $1.7 million, all of which will be paid for by the Special Education District.

The SELF Program is for students who face social and emotional challenges and are also sometimes have "physical aggression issues," Supt. Mike Sass said.

District 122 currently houses one SELF class at Liberty Junior High and two at the Spencer campus. Enrollment is expected to go up, so District 843 was hoping to add one more classroom. There are about six to 10 students per SELF class, as well as a teacher and aides.

"The belief is having them all in one location will be convenient for the supervision," Sass said.

District 843 already approved the lease last week. Now the district will bid the renovation project and create a supervision plan.

The renovations will involve clearing out the entire lower area of 8,000 square feet to make space for classrooms. The cost project will not exceed $1.7 million, which District 122 will transfer from its working cash fund. The final cost will be determined after the bids are submitted and approved by the board.

District 843 will pay back that amount over 15 years, which is the length of the lease. Either party has an option to cancel after 10 years. The Special Education District will also pay District 122 annual costs for the operations and maintenance of the area, including custodial services, electricity, telephone and more.

"It's a win-win for everyone," business manager Harold Huang said in a letter to board members.