Oswego Superintendent Appointed to State Advisory Council

Submitted by Oswego School District 308

OSWEGO, IL — Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has appointed Community Unit School District 308 Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matthew Wendt to the Advisory Council on the Education of Children with Disabilities.

“I am honored to be appointed to the Advisory Council on the Education of Children with Disabilities and offer a sincere thank you to Gov. Rauner for this appointment,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matthew Wendt said. “It is critical that high standards of excellence in educating students with disabilities are met throughout the state, and I look forward to being a voice for all stakeholders as we consider ways to improve the education of children with disabilities.”

According to the ISBE, the purpose of the Advisory Council on the Education of Children with Disabilities is to provide support to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) regarding: rules and regulations related to the education of children with disabilities, modifications or additions to county or regional comprehensive plans, qualifications of due process hearing officers, and procedures for the conduct of due process hearings.

As a member of the committee, Dr. Wendt will be charged with helping to advise the Governor, general assembly, and the ISBE on the unfulfilled needs of children with disabilities. Dr. Wendt will also help assist the ISBE in developing and reporting data and evaluations, which can be used to assist the U.S. Secretary of Education. The council might also be asked to comment publicly on rules and regulations proposed by the ISBE regarding both the education of children with disabilities and procedures for distributing funds.

The Advisory Council on the Education of Children with Disabilities is also encouraged to develop new strategies and technologies, while advocating high standards of excellence for the education of students with disabilities throughout Illinois. The council is made up of both voting and non-voting members representing parents, businesses, the general public, and educational institutions.

Dr. Wendt, serving in his fourth year as the superintendent of the state’s 7th largest public PreK-12 system, is the only school district superintendent appointed to the advisory council.

“This is an outstanding opportunity and I am very pleased to be positioned to share and provide input for one of the most important areas of public education,” stated Dr. Wendt. “The council has a membership that is quite impressive. Through innovation, best practice, research and a collective vision, Illinois should move forward as a leader in the nation.”

Dr. Wendt’s appointment is effective immediately and ends June 30, 2019.