Special Services

Lindsey Szymanski

Director of Special Services

Ext: 37222
Lindsey.Szymanski@WBWarriors.org

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West Branch Local Schools Department of Special Services and Federal Programs provides support and individualized services so that all students can access the curriculum and make continuous progress toward meeting state standards and curricular goals. West Branch’s vision and mission to educate ALL children drives the programs and services delivered. Thus, in partnership with the community, West Branch provides balanced and comprehensive programs to meet the needs of all learners. The district identifies students who are at risk for learning due to a variety of reasons, students with disabilities, gifted students, and students who are homeless to provide specific supports. Programs include Special Education, Title I, Gifted and Talented, Preschool, Warrior Academy, and Home Instruction.

In West Branch Local Schools, special services are first and foremost about the teaching and learning of children. The Department of Special Services exists to provide services to students who need support accommodations and modifications which may be provided by classroom teachers, intervention specialists, paraprofessionals and/or related service providers. This may be specified within RtI (Response to Intervention) plans, 504 Plans, WEPs (Written Education Plans), and IEPs (Individualized Education Programs), which are created by a variety of staff members within the district depending on a student needs and available programs. West Branch Local Schools is committed to the idea that all students have access and opportunity to the district’s learning experiences by providing high quality programs. Your child's teacher and the support staff below will be essential in identifying and supporting any specific needs that your child may have.

Further, each year school districts throughout Ohio participate in an effort to identify, locate and evaluate all children with disabilities, birth through 21. A disability means there are conditions such as a multi-handicap, hearing, visual, orthopedic, other health impairment, intellectual disability, emotional disturbance, and/or speech/language handicap. Many times children with disabilities are not visible because they do not function in the mainstream of a community. Parents are not always aware that there are programs and services available for these children. If you know of a child who may have one or more of the above suspected disabilities, including preschool age children, please contact the Special Services Department at 330-938-4490.

The Office of Special Services Oversees the Following Programs:

Special Education Programs (Intervention Specialists are listed below with links to their email address)

Gifted and Talented Programs

Federal Title 1 Programs

English Language Learners

School Psychological Services:

Ms. Brittany Woodard - High School

Ms. Sarah Scarazzo -- Middle School, Preschool

Mrs. Stephanie White - Early Learning Center, Intermediate

Guidance Counseling:

Mrs. Jana Stitle - High School

Mr. Ken Harris - High School