An Illinois school district is facing a possible state takeover or even dissolution, all due to problems with its special education program.

In a letter sent earlier this month, the Illinois State Board of Education threatened action if problems with School District 189 in East St. Louis were not corrected.

Specifically, the letter indicates the district is in “extreme ongoing non-compliance” for failure to hire 23 staffers for its special education program. There have also been problems identifying the number of students with special needs in the district.

As a result, nearly 1,000 students have not received timely evaluations, state officials said.

In order to avoid sanctions, the school district is required to submit a plan of corrective action by April 1.

This is not the only trouble plaguing East St. Louis schools. The district is also the subject of a U.S. Department of Education investigation into the spending of federal funds, reports the Belleville (Ill.) News-Democrat. To read more click here.

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