How to work with the district when concerns arise about your student’s educational program

While both staff and parents approach program development for special education students with their best interests in mind, sometimes differences of opinion may occur. Parents who have questions or concerns about their student should take their concerns first to the special education teacher, general education teacher and/or school therapist who works with their student. If the questions or concerns are not answered at that level, parents have a series of people to whom they can go for help. The following list shows who to contact, and in which order, when you have questions or concerns regarding your student.

Who to contact when you have questions or concerns:

1. Start with the special education teacher, general education teacher, and/or school therapist
2. If concerns are not met, contact the school principal
3. If concerns are not met, contact the Special Education Director for your Learning Community*
4. If concerns are not met, contact Executive Director of Special Education, Dr. Shannon Hitch
5. If concerns are not met, contact the Deputy Superintendent of Equity, Community and Talent Strategy, Matt Gillingham
6. If concerns are not met, contact the Superintendent, Dr. Jon Holmen
7. If concerns are not met, contact the OSPI Special Education Parent Liaison, Scott Raub at 360-725-6075.

*There are four Special Education Directors who support schools in specific geographic regions. They generally focus on a high school and the schools that feed into it. They can all be reached at 425-936-1201. The Special Education Directors are listed under "Contact Us" on this page.