March 26, 2020
Dear Parents/Guardians:
As you know March 16, 2020, the Governor of the great state of Kansas made the difficult decision due to the COVID-19 pandemic to significantly restrict access to K-12 school buildings. Therefore, all students, including those with disabilities, will be served through our Member District’s Continuous Learning Plans.
We recognize that there will be a discrepancy between the services now available under these unique circumstances and the scope of services included in your child’s individualized education plan (IEP). Because these changes in special education services are temporary and were not an IEP team decision, the Kansas State Department of Education is advising that we refrain from amending IEPs to reflect these changes. But, we will be sending a prior written notice indicating how your child’s needs will be addressed during school closure.
Our staff has been diligently reviewing IEP goals, accommodations, and modifications in light of the delivery models included in the Continuous Learning Plans. We will make every effort to incorporate supports and services based on those IEPs in proportion to the general education instruction available to all students. Once schools resume in a traditional manner we will discuss with you the need to hold an IEP meeting to determine if compensatory services are needed.
These are unusual and stressful times for all of us. We understand that your lives have been disrupted and we are sorry. Please trust that we are prepared to help your child make the most of the Continuous Learning Plan experience, and let them know that we care about them and look forward to seeing them soon!
As always, contact us if we can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Doug Anderson, PhD
Executive Director of Special Education
