District 885 coordinates and supervises all Special Education staff and programs and provides support staff such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, hearing and vision specialists.

The goal of Special Education is to provide access to appropriate education for all students and ensure that all student's educational needs are provided for. Special education provides an instructional program that will minimize student disability and maximize learning opportunities. The purpose of the program is to provide individualized instruction to meet the educational needs of eligible students ages 3 through 21.

Areas of special education that a child could qualify in depending on his/her needs are defined in the federal and state regulations include the following:

• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Developmental cognitive disability
• Specific Learning Disability
• Deaf & Hard of Hearing
• Emotional or Behavior Disorder
• Speech or Language Impairment
• Deaf-Blind
• Other Health Disabilities
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Developmental Delay
• Physically Impaired

The people who assist in implementing and supporting the plan vary depending on the child's needs, age, and program.

Kim Andres
Special Education Supervisor
763-497-2688 

Kathy LaRose
Special Education Teacher
763-497-2688 x 1207

Bethany Nordby
Social Worker
763-497-2688 x 1331

Wendy Rehnstrand
Speech Language Pathologist
763-497-2688 x 1210

Sarah Shiffer
Special Education Teacher
763-497-2688 x1209  

Tracy Spitzack
Speech Language Pathologist
763-497-2688 x 1310

Carrie Welker
Special Education Teacher
763-497-2688 x 1211

Jenny Welle
Special Education Teacher
763-497-26881208