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

          Mr. Christopher Yannon - High School

          Ms. Celeste Alters - Early Learning Center Guidance

                Ms. Stacie Hoover - Intermediate & Middle School Guidance

                Mr. Michael D'Amico - Middle School Guidance

Nursing:

          Mrs. Elizabeth Hall  - Intermediate & Middle School

          Mrs. Teresa Santee - High School

          Ms. Tiffany Woods - Early Learning Center

Speech and Language Therapy:

                Mrs. Samantha Hofmann

                Ms. Laura Slutz

                Mrs. Stevi Heck

Occupational Therapy

Physical Therapy

Home Instruction

Homeless Children

     Intervention Specialists -  listed by building      

WBHS Intervention Specialists

Mr. Jonathon James

Mrs. Debi Clegg 

Ms. Shannon Keck-Phillis

Ms. Shawn Wiesemann 

Mr. Chris Dorris

Mrs. Jessica Crider

Mr.  Kraig Barth

Mr. Logan Coe

WBMS Intervention Specialists

Mrs. Leigh Ann Martin

Mrs. Nancy Ensley

Mrs. Cindy DeRienzo

Ms. Kelly Passmore

Mrs. Cheyenne Heath

Ms. Carla Stone

Intermediate School Intervention Specialists

Mrs. Becky Thrasher

Ms. Megan Bowser

Mr. Tim Basalla

Ms. Lauri Edwards

Early Learning Center Intervention Specialists

Mrs. Kari Kibby

Ms. Heather McMasters

Ms. Stephanie Chiaro

Mr. Zachary Dean

Please contact us at 330-938-4490 if you need additional information.

Lindsey Szymanski
Director of Special Services
330-938-4490