Special Education

Lowndes County Schools' Department of Special Education, under the direction of Mindell Downing, serves students with a variety of disabilities ages 3 through 21. Student Support Services and Special Education staff consist of teachers in the general curriculum and adapted special education curriculum, paraprofessionals, preschool teachers, Speech and Language Pathologists, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, School Psychologists, Coordinators, Administrative Assistant, and Director. Lowndes County Schools offers a continuum of services for students with disabilities. We strive to meet the individual needs of our students in a variety of settings and instructional models.

Lowndes County Schools offers a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to all children, ages 3-21, who reside within school system boundaries and who are identified as having a disability. If it is suspected that a student may have a disability and scientific research-based interventions have been used, an appropriate evaluation is completed by Lowndes County Schools, with the consent of the parent/guardian. After the evaluation is complete, a placement committee meets to review a wide array of data and determine if the child is a student with a disability based on Georgia Rules and Regulations. If the child qualifies for Special Education services and the parent/guardian consents to services, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is developed.

At each school, an administrator is assigned to special education and should be the first point of contact if you have student specific questions.
If a child residing in the Lowndes County School district who is suspected of having a disability but is not a student, the parent/guardian can contact the special education department at the Central Office for guidance. The process will be explained to the parent, some documentation will be requested and the child may be referred for an evaluation. After the evaluation is complete, a placement committee meets to review a wide array of data and determine if the child is a student with a disability based on Georgia Rules and Regulations. If the child qualifies for Special Education services and the parent/guardian consents to services, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is developed.

Section 504

The Lowndes County School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or sex in its employment practices, student programs, and dealings with the public. It is the policy of the Board of Education to comply fully with the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act and all accompanying regulations.

Each school has a designated Section 504 Coordinator. Please contact your local school for information specific to a child. The Section 504 Coordinator at the Central Office is Mindell Downing.

Child Find

Lowndes County Schools Department of Special Education is seeking information from parents or others concerning anyone living in the Lowndes County School district, ages 3 to 21, who may have a disability that is not being addressed. If you know of such persons who may have an intellectual, physical, emotional or other disability, please contact Mindell Downing, Director of Special Education, at 229-245-2250. All information received will be kept confidential.

Comprehensive Evaluations

Evaluations and reevaluations performed by Lowndes County Schools follow the rules and regulations as determined by the Georgia Department of Education effective March 31, 2010. Georgia Department of Education Special Education Rules and Regulations

Georgia Special Needs Scholarship

Under Georgia Special Needs Scholarship (GSNS) , passed by the Georgia General Assembly in 2007, parents of students who receive special education may choose to transfer their child to another public school or private school in Georgia. Certain conditions apply.

Special Needs Scholarship letter from Superintendent Wes Taylor
The Georgia Department of Education Special Needs Scholarship webpage.
Also, you may refer to the Georgia State Code JNB.

School Psychologists

Lowndes County Schools has four School Psychologists who are assigned to a variety of schools. The psychologists work with students and teachers through the Response to Intervention (RTI) process, provide instructional and behavioral interventions and support, and perform comprehensive evaluations used in determining eligibility for special education services.

Caryn Chitty: Hahira Elementary School and Pine Grove Elementary School, Email Caryn Chitty
Tracy Crutchfield: Lowndes High School, Lowndes Middle School, and Westside Elementary, Email Tracy Crutchfield
Amy Browne: Dewar Elementary School, Pine Grove Middle School, and Hahira Middle School email: Email Amy Browne
Kim Hatton: Clyattville Elementary School, Moulton-Branch Elementary School and Lake Park Elementary email Email Kim Hatton

Each psychologist also has an office at the Central Office and can be reached by calling 229-245-2250.

Support Staff:

Tina Barrett - Administrative Assistant Email Tina Barrett

Special Education Coordinators:

Lynn Lewis - Dewar Elementary School, Pine Grove Elementary School, and Pine Grove Middle School, lynnlewis@lowndes.k12.ga.us
Kalen Grant - Lowndes Middle School and Westside Elementary School kalengrant@lowndes.k12.ga.us
Sandy Barnes - Hahira Middle School and Hahira Elementary School sandybarnes@lowndes.k12.ga.us
Leighann Haworth - Clyattville Elementary School, Lake Park Elementary School, and Moulton-Branch Elementary School leighannhaworth@lowndes.k12.ga.us

GA DOE Special Education Department

The Georgia Department of Education, Special Education Services and Supports, has parent support information that can be accessed on the Georgia DOE Special Education website.

Topics available include Information for Parents; Parent Mentor Partnerships; Parent Training and Information; Parent Rights, and a Parent Survey.

Lowndes County Schools