Special Education Overview

  • To meet the needs of all students within SD74, the special education department provides various services 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 the following dates: 

    • September 9, 2024
    • October 7, 2024
    • November 11, 2024
    • December 9, 2024
    • January 13, 2025
    • February 10, 2025
    • March 10, 2025
    • April 14, 2025
    • May 5, 2025 

    Appointments are necessary and can be made by contacting Connie Gusek at 847-965-9040 ext. 841.

     

    Related Services and 504 Eligibility

    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.

     

    504 Eligibility: Students with disabilities who do not qualify for an individualized education plan (IEP) may qualify for services under Section 504 if the student has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of a physical or mental impairment, or is regarded as having a physical or mental impairment.

     

    If you have questions regarding 504 Eligibility, please contact: Jennifer Ruttkay, Director of Special Education, at jruttkay@sd74.org or 847-675-8234, or Erin Curry, Director of Student Services, at ecurry@sd74.org or 847-675-3719.

     
    District RTO Plan
    In accordance with Public Act 102-0339, District 74 has created a Restraint and Time Out (RTO) Plan to reduce the number of restrictive interventions used to support students who present an imminent risk of harm to themselves or others.
     
    If you would like a copy of the RTO plan on file with the Illinois State Board of Education for District 74, please contact Jennifer Ruttkay, Director of Special Education, at jruttkay@sd74.org or 847-675-8234.
  • JRuttkay

    Jennifer Ruttkay
    Director of Special Education
    Phone: 847-675-8234
    Email: jruttkay@sd74.org
    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

     

    Ripple

    Valerie Lynn Evaschuk
    Secretary to the Directors
    Phone: 847-675-8234
    Email: vevaschuk@sd74.org