Special Education
At River Bend Education District, we believe every student deserves the opportunity, support, and sense of belonging needed to reach their fullest potential. Through collaboration with families, educators, and our member districts, we provide specialized instruction, individualized services, and inclusive learning opportunities that recognize each student’s unique strengths and needs. By leading with compassion, expertise, and high expectations, we empower students to grow academically, socially, and independently reflecting our mission of collaborating, leading, and serving students and families to achieve the maximum potential of each student.
Member Districts
A “member district” refers to one of the individual public school districts that has formally joined together with others to pool resources and share specialized services. River Bend Education District, located in New Ulm, Minnesota, provides cooperative programming and support to its member districts in areas such as special education, alternative education, early childhood, and related services. A member district retains its own local school board and district identity, but it collaborates with River Bend to access programs and expertise that might be difficult or costly to provide independently, such as low-incidence disability services, specialized staff (speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, psychologists), professional development, and compliance support for state and federal special education requirements.
Essentially, being a “member district” means that a school district is part of the River Bend cooperative, allowing its students and staff to benefit from the shared services, training, and specialized instruction coordinated by the education district while still maintaining local governance and control over their own schools
River Bend Education District proudly serves the following member districts:
New Ulm Public Schools
St. James Public Schools
Sleepy Eye Public Schools
Madelia Public Schools
GFW Public Schools
Sibley East Public Schools
Butterfield-Odin Public Schools
Cedar Mountain Public Schools