Board approves cooperative audiology agreement shared with regional cooperative, cost to district $31,646

The District 118 Board of Education approved a cooperative agreement to share an audiologist with a regional special-education cooperative (referred to in the meeting as VASE/BASE) and Urbana. Director of special education Molly Bailey said the position will be split so the audiologist’s 205-day contract is allocated across partners; District 118’s share for the 2025–26 school year is $31,646.05 for 60 days of service, which covers salary and benefits.

Bailey said the arrangement allows students who fail school hearing screenings or who are eligible under special education or Section 504 for audiology services to be seen promptly without families incurring cost, and that the regional cooperative does not charge the district for secretary services that schedule and coordinate appointments.

“Any kid that does not pass their hearing screening from the nurse, we send to [the cooperative] for the audiologist to do a better hearing assessment,” Bailey said. She estimated the number of district students with a special-education hearing-impairment classification at approximately 15, while noting other students may need assessment and services as needed.

Board members approved the cooperative agreement by roll call vote.