Special Education
To meet the needs of all students within SD74, the special education department provides various services and supports for children beginning at the age of three.
The District employs highly qualified special education teachers, speech-language pathologists, social workers, and school psychologists, and provides an extensive continuum of services for children with special needs in collaboration with Niles Township District for Special Education #807. Students are educated in the least restrictive environment.
The District is committed to partnering with families to develop plans to meet students’ academic, social, physical, and emotional needs.
Free Developmental Preschool Screenings
If you are concerned about your preschool-aged child's development, please make an appointment to attend one of the NTDSE Developmental Screenings offered on these dates:
Sept. 8, 2025
Oct. 6, 2025
Nov. 10, 2025
Dec. 8, 2025
Jan. 12, 2026
Feb. 2, 2026
March 16, 2026
April 13, 2026
May 11, 2026
Appointments are necessary and can be made by contacting Connie Gusek at 847-965-9040, ext. 841.
Related Services Log
Related Service Log Notice: The District maintains related service logs that document the type and number of minutes of related service administered under a student's individualized education plan (IEP). These related service logs will be available to parents/guardians at a student's annual IEP review meeting. Parents/guardians may also request, at any time, a copy of any IEP-related service log maintained for their child. The school district will have 10 days to fulfill this request.
Please direct any requests to Jennifer Ruttkay, director of special education, at jruttkay@sd74.org or 847-675-8234.
PUNS
What is the Illinois PUNS Program and Database? PUNS (Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services) is a database of Illinois infants, children, adolescents, and adults with developmental disabilities who have needs for developmental disability services or supports. The PUNS database helps the State of Illinois identify and plan for your immediate needs. To complete the PUNS form, contact Community Alternatives at 773-867-4000. If you need support with PUNS, please contact Jennifer Ruttkay, the PUNS Coordinator for the District.
Director of Special Education
Jennifer Ruttkay
jruttkay@sd74.org
jruttkay@sd74.org
847-675-8234
Degrees and Certifications:
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Master of Education in School Psychology, Loyola University Chicago
- Director of Special Education Endorsement
- General Administrative Certificate
