Special Education

• Dr. Kerri Mills
• Assistant Superintendent, Special Education
• (805) 963-4338, extension 6246
• E-mail: kmills@sbsdk12.org

• Deborah Lazarri
• Director of Special Education, Secondary
• (805) 963-4338, extension 6248

• Kirsten Escobedo
• Director of Special Education, Elementary
• (805) 963-4338, extension 6332
• E-mail: kescobedo@sbsdk12.org

Essential Responsibilities of Special Education:

• Ensure provision of appropriate services for students with disabilities
• Ensure compliance with federal and state special education laws including Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Develop special education related curricula and programs related to the No Child Left Behind federal mandate.
• Under the superintendent, serve as administrator and instructional leader of the Department of Special Education.
• Organize and direct the special education instructional programs.
• Assist in the development, evaluation and supervision of all curricula in the special education programs and assures alignment with the district’s standards.
• Assist in the development of individualized education programs for individuals with special education needs.
• Work closely with the school site, administrators, county special education administrators, and the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) relating to special education issues.
• Assist in the recruitment, selection, assignment, supervision and evaluation of personnel within the special education programs.
• Develop and implement staff development activities related to special education
• Inform staff about current legislation and instructional practices in special education.
• Represent the district at county and state meetings.
• Advise teachers, counselors, and other school staff on evaluating special education student needs.
• Supervise, monitor, and evaluate special education student performance.
• Supervise and evaluate Designated Instruction Services staff.
• Supervise and evaluate the district wide nurses.
• Supervise and evaluate the delivery of Home Hospital services.
• Administer financial activities of the special education programs, including assistance in developing and monitoring the special education and health services budgets.
• Serve as the district representative on the Coordinating Committee of the county SELPA.
• Assist the superintendent and assistant superintendents in interpreting the special education services programs to the Board of Education, district personnel, parents, citizens, local press, and others.
• Assist the principals with evaluations of special education personnel.
• Serve as the district’s administrative representative to the Special Education Parent Advisory Committee.
• Ensure appropriate services and support for sub-departments, including district psychologists, special education department chairs, district nurses, speech therapists, and other staff as designated.