An alternative school says its coming to Galesburg to keep students in need close to home.
Aurora-based OLL Education Services, which operates The Menta Education Group and runs 33 schools across Arizona, Illinois and Texas, recently purchased the former NAPA Auto Parts store at 883 W. Dayton St.
Rory Conran, CEO of The Menta Group, tells WGIL he hopes Menta Galesburg will be open and ready to serve students by August.
District 205 currently sends students in need of alternate placement to locations out of district, including the Quad Cities, Peoria and Germantown Hills.
“The whole purpose of us coming to Galesburg is to bring Galesburg kids back home,” Conran says. “Being on a bus for a long period of time is not setting the student up for success.
“Everything we do and think about is what’s best for kids.”
District 205 sought services of alternative school
The Menta Education Group, with more than 40 years of experience in special education, has 26 locations in Illinois — the nearest one Fresh Start Academy in Havana.
Students from kindergarten through age 22 are eligible to use The Menta Group Schools, which are regulated by the Illinois State Board of Education.
The Menta Group is a non-profit organization that is regulated by the Illinois State Board of Education. Menta charges school districts for services, and districts are later reimbursed by the state.
According to its website, the organization firmly adheres to its policy to never give up on a child and that no student will be rejected, suspended, or expelled. Menta partners with neighboring schools to provide options that allow schools an alternative to suspension.
‘Bread and butter is running the private therapeutic schools’
Conran said officials from District 205 reached out to The Menta Group about locating a school in Galesburg.
“We don’t go anywhere where we are not asked to come open a school,” Conran said. “Out of every program we have opened, it’s been based on school districts and community members reaching out and asking us to open a program in the area.
“We tailor all of our programs to the needs of the districts who are seeking our services. Maybe a student needs a different setting. But the students are always a their own school student, and our goal is always to reintegrate the students back into their own school.”
“Our bread and butter is running the private therapeutic schools.”
Menta Galesburg will employ approximately 10-15 people ranging from special education teachers, substitutes, paraprofessionals, a principal, speech pathologist, occupational therapist and social workers. Conrad said staff size could be higher or lower, depending on need.
Conran said the location on Dayton Street is ideal for Menta Galesburg.
“It’s an open plate, so we can actually design it to fit the district’s needs,” he said. “And it’s right around the corner from the high school. Again, a big focus is bringing kids back to the communities they are in.”
