FORD COUNTY SPECIAL EDUCATION COOPERATIVE

SERVING THE GCMS AND PBL SCHOOL DISTRICTS


Mission Statement

It is the mission of the Ford County Special Education Cooperative to work cooperatively with students, families, school personnel and other professionals to promote each student’s educational success as he/she prepares for the future.

Provision of a Free Appropriate Public Education

The Ford County Special Education Cooperative, Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley (GCMS) CUSD#5, Paxton-Buckley-Loda (PBL) CUSD #10 provides and maintains appropriate and effective educational programs in order to afford every eligible child with a disability who is between the ages of 3 and 21 (inclusive), is enrolled in GCMS or PBL, and requires special education and related services to address the adverse effect of the disability on his/her education, a free appropriate public education (FAPE). As part of this effort, GCMS and PBL shall make available to all eligible children who are residents of their districts a comprehensive program of special education. If a student does not qualify for an IEP under one of the 13 disability coverages under IDEA, the student may still qualify for an IEP under Section 504 if the student has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one of more major life activity, has a record of a physical or mental impairment, or is regarded as having a physical or mental impairment. If any parent/guardian in the district would like a copy of § 226.50 of the ISBE regulations, please contact the Ford County Special Education Cooperative at 217-784-5470.

Contact Information

307 N. Sangamon Street, Gibson City, IL 60936 (Legal Address/GCMS Unit Office)
815 N. Church Street, Gibson City, IL 60936 (Physical Address/GCMS High School)
Phone: (217) 784-5470 Fax: (217) 784-5458

Jesse McFarling, Director
Karissa Leonard, Administrative Asst. & Student Records

View all FCSEC Staff Contacts

Documentation

FCSEC Budgets and Meeting Documents

Freedom of Information Act

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request must be in writing and directed to the Cooperative’s FOIA officer:

Jesse McFarling
Director of Special Education
Ford County Special Education Cooperative
307 N. Sangamon Street, Gibson City, IL 60936

mcfarling.jesse@gcmsk12.org