Three Lakes Educational Cooperative

The Three Lakes Educational Cooperative consist of six member school districts and provides comprehensive special education services for all eligible children. The school districts include West Franklin, USD 287; Santa Fe Trail, USD 434; Osage City, USD 420; Burlingame, USD 454; Lyndon, USD 421; and Marais des Cygnes Valley, USD 456. Each member school district appoints one board of education member that serves on the board of directors for the Cooperative. The total enrollment for the six school districts is approximately 4,900 students. Special education services are provided from birth through age 21 in a variety of settings that include the home, preschool, and school buildings within the six school districts. Special education services are located in approximately 20 sites throughout the Cooperative.

  The Three Lakes Educational Cooperative provides services that are based upon two general principles. The first principle is that all children with an exceptionality will be provided special education services in the school building in which they would normally attend. Therefore, all classrooms are considered interrelated and the teacher becomes responsible for the child regardless of the exceptionality category. The second principle is that all children are provided with the opportunity to participate in as many regular education classes and activities as they can handle. In order to be successful, the child is often provided with paraeducator support, special accommodations, or modifications to the general curriculum.

  The Three Lakes Educational Cooperative has been awarded over $1.5 million in educational grants. The grants have provided the opportunity to increase program opportunities for children and the opportunity for staff to participate in innovative in-service programs. Three full days of in-service training are provided for all employees of the Cooperative. In addition, in-services are scheduled on a regular basis to meet the particular needs of a group of staff. The in-services often include MANDT training, Fred Jones Tools for Teaching, IDEA laws and regulations, IEP development, programming for children with challenging behaviors, and supervision of paraeducators. Staff also participates in the in-services that are sponsored by the school districts they are assigned to work. Many staff have also attended state and national meetings in order to enhance their skills. The Cooperative also sponsors several in-service training programs during the summer. Stipends are often paid to those staff that participate during the summer.

The Three Lakes Educational Cooperative currently provides services for approximately 900 students. The number of students has increased significantly over the past five years and consequently there has been an annual need to add new or replacement staff. The Cooperative employs approximately 200 staff that includes over 150 paraeducators, 60 classroom instructors, 9 speech/language pathologists, 4 school psychologists, in addition to a number of other professional and supportive staff. The average ratio of students to staff is approximately 5:1.

  The standard teacher contract is for 189 duty days.  All full time teachers also receive a fully paid low option health insurance program. A high option health insurance program is available at a nominal cost each month. Additional benefits are available to the employee through a Section 125 Payroll Deduction Plan and includes vision, dental, salary protection, cancer, life, dependent care, medical expenses, and annuities.

All interested applicants are required to complete the teacher application form and return it to the Three Lakes Educational Cooperative office. An interview team consisting of Cooperative administrative staff, building principal, district superintendent and others will preview the applications and schedule an interview with the top candidates.

  The Three Lakes Educational Cooperative service area is within close proximity to a number of large cities and universities. Topeka, the capital city, lies 25 miles to the north. Washburn University is located in Topeka and provides many excellent teacher education programs. Emporia lies 25 miles to the southwest. Emporia State University is located in Emporia and has an outstanding special education training program. Lawrence lies 25 miles to the northeast. The University of Kansas is located in Lawrence and is nationally recognized for the special education training program.

 Recreation activities and cultural events are available on a continuous basis. Three large lakes that provide boating and fishing opportunities are located within a few miles of the cooperative office. Many outstanding golf courses and recreational areas are also available to the sports minded. Cultural events are planned on a regular basis and often include music shows, plays, fairs, and parades.

For more information about Osage County

If you are interested in working in one of the leading special education cooperatives in the state, consider Three Lakes Educational Cooperative. For more information, contact our office at 785.828.3113, or e-mail us at threelakes@three-lakes.org