The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is a federal special education law that requires districts to provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to students eligible for special education. FAPE means special education and related services necessary for your child to benefit from his or her education. Students are eligible for special education between the ages of three and twenty-one. Incarcerated youth in a state adult correctional facility and who are eligible for special education are entitled to a FAPE until age 18. These services will be provided to your child in the least restrictive environment as described in an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The State Office of Public Instruction has put together a “Procedural Safeguards” handbook to answer many of the most frequently asked questions as well as providing a description of the services that school disticts provide for students with special needs.

For more information: District level contacts are generally the first stop for more information. There are a number of people in the district who can answer questions about your child’s education. You may contact your child’s general or special education teacher, the school principal, or the district’s special services director.  If our Director of Special Services, Suzanne McKibbon, is unable to answer you questions, your next level of support can be found at OSPI, which has program supervisors to assist you with questions about your child’s special education program. You may reach OSPI, Special Education Operations at (360) 725-6075, TTY (360) 586-0126, or by using OSPI’s contact form.

Children grow and develop at different rates. If you have concerns regarding your child's learning or development, or suspect your child may have a disability, please contact the Special Services Department at 509-464-5680.

If your child is currently enrolled in Deer Park Public Schools, please discuss your concerns with your child's teacher and/or principal. Explain that you wish to refer your child for a special education evaluation.

Services are provided free of charge to children ages birth through 21 include

• Child Development Information

• Developmental Screening

• Special Education Eligibility Assessments

If you have concerns regarding your infant or toddler meeting developmental milestones, please connect with the Early Support for Infant and Toddlers for children 0-3.

What happens next?

After Deer Park School District receives your referral, a team member will call you back within 25 days to discuss your concerns. Here is more information regarding the referral process.

If needed, a developmental screening or assessment appointment will be scheduled. These child find services are provided at no cost to the family. If your child qualifies for special education services, you will be invited to participate in the development of an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Deer Park School District is responsible for locating, evaluating, and identifying children ages birth through 21, who are suspected of having a disability and may need special education services and related services. Students do not need to be enrolled in a public school to be referred for an evaluation to determine eligibility for special education services.

Our policy is to destroy special education records once they reach six years from the date that services end. Records will be destroyed following state and federal law unless the parent/guardian or adult student notifies Deer Park School District otherwise. After six years the records are no longer useful to the district, but they may be useful to the parent/guardian or former student in some future endeavors. Before destruction, letters are mailed to notify parents/guardians and/or former students at their last known address. If you do not receive a letter and think that you may have records that would be available for claiming, please contact the Special Education office by phone at 509 464 5525 or by email at tricia.butler@dpsdmail.org.

OSPI Special Education Parent Liaison

Of course, staff in our school district are always available to assist you in ensuring your student receives the proper supports and services. However, if you have questions about the special education process or experience difficulties finding agreement with the district and need additional help, OSPI has a Special Education Parent Liaison to assist you.

The OSPI Special Education Parent Liaison is available as a resource to parents in non-legal special education matters and serves as a neutral and independent advocate for a fair process. The Special Education Parent Liaison does not advocate on behalf of any one party. Rather, the Parent Liaison exists to address individual concerns about bureaucratic systems and act a guide for citizens attempting to understand and navigate various government processes and procedures.

To contact Scott Raub, the Special Education Parent Liaison, call (360) 725-6075 or submit a message through the Contact The Liaison web page.

Office of the Education Ombuds

The Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) resolves complaints, disputes, and problems between families and Washington State elementary and secondary public schools in all areas that affect student learning.

OEO is a statewide agency that functions independently from the public school system. The services are free, confidential and available to families and students from Kindergarten to 12th grade. OEO provides an alternative to costly lawsuits and administrative hearings, contributes to the improvement of the education system, the closing of the achievement gap and promotes family engagement in education. It is important to note that OEO is the only agency of its kind in the nation.

OEO intervenes in issues such as: bullying/harassment, cyber bullying, suspensions, expulsions, special education, enrollment, transportation, discipline, academic progress, truancy, transition from pre-school to Kindergarten. and more. The staff facilitates and/or mediates conversations between parents and school officials, and guides all parties towards resolution focusing on what is best for the student. OEO advocates for fair processes for students in public schools. OEO serves parents/legal guardians, students, and K-12 educators who need to resolve a problem affecting a student.

Learn more About OEO and how to schedule an intake appointment. See all of OEO's resources in one place Publications and Resources for Families.

Additional Resources for Families

Partnerships for Action Voices for Empowerment (PAVE)

The Arc of Spokane

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Developmental Disabilities Administration

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction - Special Education

The Deer Park School District No. 414, an Equal Opportunity Employer, complies with all state and federal rules and regulations and does not discriminate with respect to race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, and equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. This holds true for all district employment and opportunities. 

Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the school district’s Title IX and Affirmative Action Officer, and Section 504/ADA Coordinator:

Suzanne McKibbon – (students and public)
Terra Sirevog – (applicants and employees)
Alexa Allman – (Title IX)  

Or call 509-464-5500