Special Education

Dr. Ivy Smith, Special Education Director

The Lowndes County Schools Department of Special Education, under the direction of Dr. Ivy Smith, serves students with disabilities from ages 3 through 21. Our Special Education and Student Support Services team includes special education and preschool teachers, paraprofessionals, Speech-Language Pathologists, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, School Psychologists, Special Education Coordinators, administrative support staff, and the Director of Special Education.

Lowndes County Schools provides a continuum of services designed to meet the individual needs of students with disabilities in a variety of settings and instructional models. We are committed to providing each eligible student with a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in accordance with state and federal special education requirements.

When a disability is suspected, the school works with the student and family to determine appropriate next steps. When an evaluation is needed, Lowndes County Schools completes a comprehensive evaluation with parent/guardian consent. Once the evaluation is complete, an eligibility team reviews the available information to determine whether the student meets Georgia eligibility requirements for special education services. If the student is found eligible and the parent/guardian consents to services, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed to address the student's individual needs.

Each school has an administrator assigned to special education who should be the first point of contact for questions regarding a specific student or special education services at that school.

Parents or guardians of children ages 3 through 21 who reside within the Lowndes County Schools district but are not currently enrolled in Lowndes County Schools may contact the Special Education Department at the Central Office if they suspect their child may have a disability. Our staff can provide information about the referral and evaluation process, explain the next steps, and assist families with the documentation needed to begin the process.

Our Team

Support Staff

Lowndes County Schools Special Education Support Staff and Administrative Assistants provide essential support to students, families, teachers, and staff throughout the district. They assist with the coordination of special education services, maintain records and documentation, support departmental processes, and help ensure effective communication between families, schools, and district staff.

Special Education Coordinators

Lowndes County Schools Special Education Coordinators work closely with schools, teachers, families, and other staff to support students receiving special education services. Coordinators schedule and facilitate meetings, maintain special education records and documentation, provide guidance and support to school staff, and help ensure special education services and procedures are implemented effectively throughout the district.

  • Kari Blanton: Hahira Elementary and Hahira Middle School, email: Kari Blanton

  • LeighAnn Grant: Pine Grove Elementary, Pine Grove Middle School, Lowndes Middle School, email: LeighAnn Grant

  • Kalen Grant: Clyattville Elementary and Westside Elementary, email: Kalen Grant

  • Helen Gullage: Dewar Elementary, Moulton-Branch Elementary, Lake Park Elementary, email: Helen Gullage

  • Sherry O'Connor: Journey/Parker Mathis Learning Center, email: Sherry O'Connor

  • Calisa Brinson: Lowndes High School, email: Calisa Brinson

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.

  • Kim Hatton: Clyattville Elementary, Lake Park Elementary, Moulton-Branch Elementary, email: Kim Hatton

  • Amy Browne: Dewar Elementary School, Moulton-Branch Elementary, Pine Grove Middle School, email: Amy Browne

  • Janelle Law: Pine Grove Elementary, Westside Elementary, Lowndes Middle School, email: Janelle Law

  • Anna Valvo Schnotalla: Hahira Elementary, Hahira Middle School, Lowndes High School, email: Anna Valvo Schnotalla

Programs and Services

Facilitated IEP Team Meetings

A Facilitated IEP (FIEP) Team Meeting is an IEP meeting led by a trained, neutral facilitator who helps support effective communication, collaboration, and problem-solving among members of the IEP team.

Additional IEP Meeting Information

Georgia Special Needs Scholarship

The Georgia Special Needs Scholarship (GSNS) Program provides eligible families of students receiving special education services with additional educational options. Depending on eligibility and program requirements, parents may have the option to transfer their child to another public school or to an approved private school in Georgia. Certain eligibility requirements and conditions apply.

Physical Restraint Procedures

When physical restraint is used on a school campus, the incident is documented using a Physical Restraint Incident Report. The report is completed and signed by a school administrator and maintained on file at the school.

Following an incident, school administrators, teachers, and other staff involved will review the use of physical restraint and its effectiveness. At the district level, restraint incident information is reviewed annually by the appropriate district administrator to help ensure procedures are being followed and to identify any areas of concern.

For additional information, please review the Lowndes County Schools Physical Restraint Procedures at the link provided.

Resources for Families

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.

Parents' Rights

Parents and guardians of students receiving or being considered for special education services have specific rights and protections under state and federal law. The Parents' Rights in Special Education document provides information about these rights, including the evaluation and eligibility process, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), educational placement, access to records, and options for resolving concerns or disagreements.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to review this document and contact their child's school or the Lowndes County Schools Department of Special Education with any questions.

Special Education Rules and Regulations

Evaluations and reevaluations conducted by Lowndes County Schools are completed in accordance with the special education rules and regulations established by the Georgia Department of Education.

 Georgia Department of Education Special Education Rules and Regulations

All information received will be kept confidential.

Resources for Families

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.

Parents' Rights

Parents and guardians of students receiving or being considered for special education services have specific rights and protections under state and federal law. The Parents' Rights in Special Education document provides information about these rights, including the evaluation and eligibility process, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), educational placement, access to records, and options for resolving concerns or disagreements.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to review this document and contact their child's school or the Lowndes County Schools Department of Special Education with any questions.

Section 504

Lowndes County Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or sex in its employment practices, educational programs, or interactions with the public. The Lowndes County Board of Education is committed to full compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and all applicable regulations.

Each school has a designated Section 504 Coordinator who can assist families with questions or concerns regarding Section 504 services and accommodations. For questions specific to your child, please contact your child's school directly. The District Section 504 Coordinator is Dr. Ivy Smith.

Special Education Rules and Regulations

Evaluations and reevaluations conducted by Lowndes County Schools are completed in accordance with the special education rules and regulations established by the Georgia Department of Education.

 Georgia Department of Education Special Education Rules and Regulations

All information received will be kept confidential.

Contact Us

Lowndes County Schools
1592 Norman Drive
Valdosta, GA 31601

Phone: 229-316-1851
Fax: 229-245-2275

Special Education Records Request

Requests for special education records are submitted through our online records request system. Parents, guardians, former students, schools, and authorized agencies requesting records must complete the online request form using the link below. Please provide all requested information to help us process your request as quickly as possible.

Records Request