(WAND) — A Cook County Circuit Court judge has ordered the doors back open at three special education facilities in Illinois. The order comes after the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) shut down the Menta Education sites.
The judge's order to approve a Temporary Restraining Order said 124 special needs students would be left with nowhere to turn, if ISBE is able to shut down the Menta facilities in Springfield, LaSalle and Centralia.
For more than 50 years, Menta has run schools across Arizona, Illinois and Texas. The organization's website states that Menta serves kids who struggle in the traditional classroom and have higher needs. The organization recently opened the Springfield, LaSalle and Centralia locations for students who could no longer receive services from their local school district.
Related Links
- ISBE orders transition of students out of three facilities owned by Menta
- Menta Education Group responds to ISBE orders
But ISBE said Menta never received formal approval to open the three sites. The agency accuses Menta staff of using restraint and time out practices, that are no longer allowed in the state, at its Springfield and Centralia locations. ISBE said staff at the Springfield and LaSalle locations also did not match their applications.
Menta responded by saying the three programs were approved by ISBE, orally and in writing. Court records show ISBE completed final onsite visits, issued facility and district codes, and approved Menta's school calendar and reimbursement rates.
Menta cannot enroll any new students in these three programs while the court process plays out. Both parties are due back in court Friday morning.
WAND News will continue to following this developing story.
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