Office of Student Services
Contact Information – Student Services
Director of Student Services
Name: Mr. Kathryn Jimenez
Phone: (419)533-5011 ext. 5501
Email: kjimenez@libertycenterschools.org
Special Education Supervisor/Liberty Education Center
Name: Mrs. Mariah Downing
Phone: (419)533-1214
Email: mdowning@libertycenterschools.org
Welcome to the Special Education & Student Services page. Our mission is to support every learner through comprehensive services, resources, and individualized planning. Below, you’ll find essential information for families, educators, and stakeholders.
The Special Education Department oversees services for students identified as having a disability under IDEA, which may include students receiving homebound instruction and homeless/foster children. Several highly qualified employees are dedicated to meeting the specialized needs of these students residing in our district. Our Department goal is to ensure that all students in Liberty Center Local Schools are taught the skills necessary to be productive citizens in our great community.
Students with a disability must be provided with a free appropriate public education, known as FAPE, per state/federal laws. The special education department of Liberty Center, collaborates with staff from each building to provide students with access and progress in the general education curriculum. The IEP teams work together with families to create and support strategies for student learning and/or behavioral success.
Our department guides intervention specialists, paraprofessionals and other related services to use best practices for supporting student needs. We also assist regular education teachers in identifying student needs and interventions.
Parents' Rights
Parents are essential partners in the special education process. You have specific legal rights to ensure your child receives appropriate services and supports.
These rights include:
Being informed and giving consent
Participating in meetings
Requesting evaluations or re-evaluations
Dispute resolution and mediation options
Child Find
Child Find is a legal requirement that schools identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities residing within the district who may need special education and related services—regardless of the severity of their disability.
If you suspect your child may have a disability, please contact our office to initiate an evaluation:
Contact:
What is FAPE? (Free Appropriate Public Education)
FAPE ensures that every eligible student with a disability receives special education and related services at no cost to the family. These services must:
Be tailored to the individual needs of the student
Meet state educational standards
Be provided in the least restrictive environment
FAPE is guaranteed under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
What is an ETR (Evaluation Team Report)?
An Evaluation Team Report (ETR) is the formal documentation of a student’s eligibility for special education services. It involves:
Comprehensive assessments by a multidisciplinary team
Input from teachers, specialists, and parents
A determination of whether the student qualifies for services under IDEA
The ETR is reviewed every three years (or sooner if needed).
What is an IEP (Individualized Education Program)?
An IEP is a written plan developed for a student who qualifies for special education. It outlines:
The student’s current performance and goals
Specific services and supports to be provided
Accommodations and modifications
How progress will be measured
The IEP is reviewed at least once annually, with input from parents, educators, and service providers.
What is LRE (Least Restrictive Environment)?
LRE refers to the educational setting that allows students with disabilities to be educated with their non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate.
LRE considerations include:
General education classrooms with supports
Resource rooms or special education classrooms
Specialized programs or alternative placements (when necessary)
List of Disability Categories under IDEA
Autism
Deaf-Blindness
Deafness
Developmental Delay
Emotional Disturbance
Hearing Impairment
Intellectual Disability
Multiple Disabilities
Orthopedic Impairment
Other Health Impairment
Specific Learning Disability
Speech or Language Impairment
Traumatic Brain Injury
Visual Impairment (including blindness)
Autism Scholarship & Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship
Autism Scholarship Program (ASP)
This program provides funding for eligible students with autism to receive educational services from approved providers outside of their public school.
Eligibility: Must have an Autism diagnosis and an IEP
Services: Can include therapy, private schooling, or specialized instruction
Jon Peterson Special Needs (JPSN) Scholarship
This scholarship offers funding for students with IEPs to attend approved private schools or receive educational services that better meet their individual needs.
Eligibility: Must have a current IEP
Services: Tuition, therapies, transportation, assistive technology, etc.