The committee discussed revisions to special education policy that, staff said, authorize locally verified credits for students with disabilities in some cases and formalize a parent/family liaison position to help families navigate eligibility, IEPs and supports.

Staff described circumstances where a student who is close to the passing score on a standards‑of‑learning (SOL) test may receive locally verified credit without passing the state test after multiple attempts. “Before this law... kids were sometimes taking test 10, 11 times,” a staff member said; the change gives staff flexibility to provide verified credit and related accommodations when appropriate.

The policy also requires the division to designate one faculty member to serve as the special education parent and family liaison; staff said this supervisor already fulfills the role and that the policy will make the assignment explicit and require that the liaison be listed on the division website.

Staff also explained the Child Find program — a federally required outreach and identification system — which accepts referrals for children from age 2 through 18 and coordinates interventions with pediatricians, preschools and other community providers. Staff named Kelly Jennings and Ashley Seifert as contacts for Child Find and said Ashley Seifert functions as the preschool coordinator who typically receives such referrals.

Why it matters: The locally verified credit provision reduces repeated, demoralizing test retakes for students with disabilities and gives staff clearer authority to provide accommodations; the liaison requirement formalizes family access to a single point of contact for special education services.

Next steps: Staff will include the revised language in the policy packet and ensure contact information and website listings reflect the designated liaison and Child Find referral processes.