• Special Education

    Special education is a program that provides specially designed instruction (SDI) to address the unique needs of students. This instruction provides students with an education that will prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living. All students must be evaluated to determine if they are eligible for and in need of SDI before they can receive support through the special education program. Special education is provided at no cost to parents and this includes the related services a student needs to access their educational program.

    Links to information about Special Education services, policy, procedures, and department staff are below. Please contact the Special Education Secretary at (509) 937-2616 for additional assistance, documents, inquiries, or language assistance.

    SERVICES:

    Valley Early Learning Center (Preschool)

    • academic and behavioral intervention
    • speech and language pathology services
    • occupational therapy
    • physical therapy
    • school psychology services
    Valley School (K-8)
    • academic and behavioral intervention
    • speech and language pathology services
    • occupational therapy
    • physical therapy
    • school psychology services
    Paideia High School
    • academic and behavioral intervention
    • speech and language pathology services
    • occupational therapy
    • physical therapy
    • school psychology services
    Columbia Virtual Academy
    • academic intervention*
    • speech and language pathology services*

    *Special education instruction is provided by special education teachers, speech therapists, and para-educators during video chat sessions in a home-based learning program. Our video-chat approach typically allows CVA staff to address academic and speech needs. The special education team reviews special education information for students considering CVA to determine if their unique needs can be met appropriately from a distance. 

    Referrals
    If, at any time, you believe your student may need special education, you may contact your student’s teacher, special education staff, school psychologist, or principal. You can also contact the special education department below to request that your student be evaluated for special education.

    Child Find
    If, at any time, you believe your student may need special education, you may contact your student’s teacher, special education staff, school psychologist, or principal. You can also contact the special education department below to request that your student be evaluated for special education.

    The district conducts Child Find activities for the purpose of locating, evaluating and identifying children residing within district boundaries with a suspected disability who are not currently receiving special education and related services. Early identification and intervention helps children become more independent and achieve at higher levels.

    CONTACTS:
    General Information or Record Requests:
       Caitie Klemish
       Special Education Secretary
       Phone: (509) 937-2616
       Fax: (509) 651-7728
       Caitie.Klemish@valleysd.org

    Special Education Director:
       Ken Davis
       (509) 937-2642
       Ken.Davis@valleysd.org

    School Psychologist
       Katherine Blair
       (509) 937-2678
       Katherine.Blair@valleysd.org

    Special Education Teachers:

       Becky Bylund
       Teacher - Valley School
       (509) 937-2413
       Becky.Bylund@valleyk8.org

       Pamela Harrison
       Teacher - Valley School
       (509) 937-2670
       Pamela.Harrison@valleyk8.org

       Karen Spencer
       Teacher - Columbia Virtual Academy
       (509) 563-4114
       Karen.Spencer@cva.org

       Scott Huffman
       Teacher - Paideia High School & Columbia Virtual Academy
       (509) 563-3458
       Scott.Huffman@cva.org

    Speech Language Pathologist:
       Shawna Jamison
       Valley School & Columbia Virtual Academy
       (509) 999-8572
       Shawna.Jamison@cva.org

    RESOURCES: