Special Education
The Special Education Department of SAU 24 provides a free and appropriate public education to students with educational disabilities. Schools within SAU 24 offer a full range of special education programs, related services and supports to students ages 3 - 21 who have been determined to be educationally disabled and require specialized instruction.
The special education process is designed to enable parents of students with educational disabilities and the School District to work together to ensure that each child is provided an appropriate education. We believe that parents are an important part of this process and are encouraged to take an active role. The Special Education Team is the foundation of the special education process and is comprised of educational professionals and parents. The Special Education Team reviews referrals, plans diagnostic evaluations, determines if students are eligible for special education, writes IEPs and makes placement recommendations. No one person may make a decision regarding a child's special education evaluation, identification, program, or placement.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that each District maintain an updated Special Education Policies and Procedural Manual, or Local Educational Agency (LEA) Plan, that outlines the procedures the District follows in implementing IDEA to ensure the local agency will administer the special education program in accordance with all applicable statutes, regulations, program plans, and applications. In order to receive IDEA federal funds, it is necessary that we assure that we are following the special education process as outlined in the New Hampshire Rules for the Education of Children with Disabilities.
The LEA Plan for SAU 24 can be obtained from the below attachment. A paper copy of the LEA Plan is located in the SAU office.
Members of the Henniker, Stoddard, Weare and John Stark School Districts and communities are encouraged to review the plan and submit written input to Sherry Burbank, Director of Student Services, if applicable, at sherry.burbank@sau24.org or via letter addressed to SAU 24, 258 Western Avenue, Henniker, NH 03242.
SAU 24 Special Education Plan Policies and Procedures Manual - June 30 2017
Link for NHDOE procedural safeguards is: https://www.education.nh.gov/who-we-are/division-of-learner-support/bureau-of-student-support/special-education/procedural-safeguards
Special Education Coordinators are available at each school to answer any questions and to oversee the process:
| Henniker Community School | Courtney Beach | courtney.beach@sau24.org | 603-428-3476 |
| James Faulkner Elementary School | JIll Pinard | jill.pinard@sau24.org | 603-446-3348 |
| Center Woods Elementary School | Morgan Hallock | morgan.hallock@sau24.org | 603-529-4500 |
| Weare Middle School | Jenn Huard | jennifer.huard@sau24.org | 603-529-7555 |
| John Stark Regional High School | Andra Hall | andra.hall@sau24.org | 603-529-7675 |
| SAU 24 | Martha LeMahieu | martha.lemahieu@sau24.org | 603-428-3269 |