Special Services
Special Services Department Staff
Dr. Dawn Gresham
Director of Special Services
Primary Responsibilities
- Provides strategic leadership and oversight for all Special Services programs and personnel.
- Directs the operations of the Special Services Department, including the delegation and coordination of departmental responsibilities.
- Supervises and supports School Psychologists, Nursing and Health Services, and other assigned personnel.
- Ensures compliance with federal and state special education laws, regulations, and district policies.
- Oversees legal matters related to special education, including due process, complaint resolution, and manifestation determinations.
- Develops, monitors, and manages departmental budgets and oversees annual fiscal audits.
- Ensures accurate and timely state and federal reporting, including Special Education Performance Indicators and other required compliance reports.
- Evaluates certified and classified staff to promote professional growth and high-quality service delivery.
- Reviews and approves Board of Education communications, district communications, policies, procedures, and administrative processes related to Special Services.
- Leads continuous improvement efforts to strengthen systems, promote equitable student outcomes, and ensure high-quality services for students with exceptionalities.
- Serves as the district liaison with KSDE, state agencies, community partners, and other stakeholders regarding Special Services programs and initiatives.
June Henkelman
Assistant Director of Special Services – Secondary
Primary Responsibilities
- Provides leadership and oversight for special education service delivery and programming at the middle and high school levels including support for extracurricular participation and inclusive opportunities.
- Supports the implementation and monitoring of students' provision of services to ensure compliance with IEPs and high-quality educational outcomes.
- Serves as the primary resource for parents and staff in resolving concerns and fostering collaborative partnerships.
- Oversees district Section 504 services and ensures compliance with federal regulations.
- Coordinates and oversees transition services and curriculum for students ages 18–21 to promote postsecondary readiness and successful adult outcomes.
- Supervises and evaluates assigned certified and classified staff.
- Provides oversight and support for Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVI), Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH), Orientation and Mobility (O&M), and Adaptive Physical Education services.
- Oversees Speech-Language Pathology services, Assistive Technology, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems to ensure students have access to appropriate supports.
- Coordinates after-hours special education services and responds to time-sensitive student, family, and district needs as necessary.
- Collaborates with building administrators, related service providers, and community agencies to strengthen programming, ensure compliance, and improve student outcomes.
Ann Marie Frisch
Assistant Director of Special Services – Elementary
Primary Responsibilities
- Provides leadership and oversight for special education service delivery and programming from early childhood through elementary, including support for extracurricular participation and inclusive opportunities.
- Supports the implementation and monitoring of students' provision of services to ensure compliance with IEPs and high-quality educational outcomes.
- Serves as the primary resource for parents and staff in resolving concerns and fostering collaborative partnerships.
- Oversees Project KIDS child-find activities to ensure high-quality early intervention.
- Coordinates special education services for students attending private schools in accordance with IDEA and state requirements.
- Provides leadership and oversight for Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy services to ensure effective service delivery and collaboration with educational teams.
- Oversees gifted education services and programming to ensure compliance with state regulations and the provision of appropriate educational opportunities.
- Serves as the district liaison for the Latchkey program to support access, collaboration, and continuity of services for students with exceptionalities.
- Supervises and evaluates assigned certified and classified staff.
- Coordinates the planning and implementation of the district's Extended School Year (ESY) program, including staffing, scheduling, and compliance.
- Collaborates with building administrators, related service providers, families, and community partners to strengthen programming, ensure compliance, and improve student outcomes.
Ali Sontag
Special Services Instructional Coach
Primary Responsibilities
- Serves as the district expert and primary resource for IEP development, WebKIDSS, and special education procedural guidance.
- Coordinates district Behavior Technicians and supports the implementation of behavioral programming across schools.
- Provides consultation and coaching to administrators, teachers, and support staff in the areas of instructional practices, behavior, and specially designed instruction.
- Coordinates and supports professional learning opportunities aligned with district priorities, evidence-based practices, and compliance requirements.
- Oversees district participation in state assessments, including the Kansas Assessment Program (KAP) and Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM), ensuring compliance with testing requirements and appropriate accommodations.
- Leads the district Autism Intervention Team, providing consultation, coaching, and implementation support to educational teams.
- Supports new special education staff through onboarding, mentoring, and ongoing technical assistance.
- Serves as the district consultant for Unique Learning System and GLINT, supporting implementation, instructional fidelity, and effective use of curricular resources.
- Provides consultation and professional support for paraprofessionals and the staff who supervise them to strengthen instructional practices and student outcomes.
- Collaborates with district and building teams to build staff capacity, promote instructional excellence, and ensure high-quality educational services for students with exceptionalities.
Angie Stater
Special Services MIS and Student Data Clerk
Primary Responsibilities
- Serves as the district resource for IEP documentation, WebKIDSS, and special education procedural questions.
- Coordinates the review and processing of special education files and documentation to promote accuracy, completeness, and compliance with state and federal requirements.
- Oversees state Management Information System (MIS) reporting and ensures the timely submission of required special education data.
- Coordinates student records requests, ensuring compliance with FERPA, IDEA, and district policies regarding the transfer and release of educational records.
- Supports district compliance efforts by monitoring documentation, timelines, and procedural requirements.
- Provides technical assistance and support related to IEP and Section 504 documentation and processes.
- Maintains accurate student records and confidential files while ensuring the integrity of district data systems.
- Collaborates with district staff, families, and receiving districts to facilitate timely communication and records management.
- Assists in developing efficient processes that promote compliance, data accuracy, and high-quality service to students, families, and staff.
Shawna Purnell
Administrative Assistant to the Director of Special Services
Primary Responsibilities
- Coordinates Personnel Categorical Aid documentation and reporting to support accurate state funding and compliance.
- Serves as the primary resource for payroll, TrueTime, and attendance inquiries for Special Services staff.
- Oversees Time and Effort documentation to ensure compliance with state and federal funding requirements.
- Coordinates departmental purchasing, requisitions, reimbursements, and budget-related transactions in accordance with district procedures.
- Monitors and maintains paraprofessional training and professional development records to ensure compliance with state requirements.
- Provides technical assistance and support for Skyward and Frontline systems related to personnel, payroll, and operational processes.
- Coordinates homebound instruction requests and serves as the liaison between families, schools, and service providers to ensure continuity of educational services.
- Maintains accurate fiscal and personnel records while supporting efficient departmental operations.
- Collaborates with district departments, school staff, and external agencies to ensure responsive customer service, operational excellence, and effective stewardship of departmental resources.
Special Services Receptionist
Primary Responsibilities
- Serves as the first point of contact for the Special Services Department, providing exceptional customer service to families, staff, and community members.
- Coordinates incoming phone calls, mail, and correspondence, ensuring timely and accurate communication.
- Assists with scheduling meetings, coordinating calendars, and providing departmental information and support.
- Coordinates technology inventory, updates, distribution, and tracking for Special Services staff.
- Develops and designs marketing materials, newsletters, presentations, and communication resources that support departmental initiatives and family engagement.
- Provides administrative support for department projects, meetings, and special initiatives.
- Maintains organized records and office systems to promote efficient departmental operations.
- Collaborates with district staff and community partners to support effective communication and high-quality customer service.
- Supports the daily operations of the Special Services Department through proactive problem-solving, organization, and attention to detail.
The Derby Public Schools Special Services Department is located at the District Administrative Center, 1550 E. Walnut Grove Rd., Derby, KS 67037.
Phone: (316) 554-8004
Fax: (316) 554-7972
Email: SpecialServices@usd260.com