The Walton County School District, Department of Special Education, announces its intention to destroy specific data. Records will be destroyed that were collected, maintained, or used in the provision of a free appropriate public education for

special education students in the Walton County School District. This notice is in compliance with the system’s comprehensive plan for special education required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Records on students enrolled in a special education program with a birth date prior to December 31, 2001 are no longer needed for educational planning purposes.  These records may be needed by the student or parent for Social Security or other reasons. The system plans to destroy these records on May 1, 2024, unless there has been a request for a due process hearing, under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or a complaint filed with the Office of Civil Rights, under Section

504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

If you, as the interested student or parent/guardian of the student, desire these records prior to destruction, contact the Walton County School District, Department of Special Education at (770) 266-4503. You will be required to produce identification or provide verification data.

The Special Education Department believes in the mission of the Walton County School District – to ensure that each student acquires the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve personal success and enrich the community. Our particular role in this mission is to ensure all students with disabilities in our school district have access to and benefit from the general education curriculum through a wide range of special education programs and services. Special education programming and support include accommodations and modifications of the general education curriculum and environment, individualized goals and objectives (in an IEP), coordinated transition services, assistive technology and related services. Related services include psychological, speech and language, occupational therapy, physical therapy, visual and hearing support and specialized transportation services. All special education services and supports are identified by the individualized education plan (IEP) team.

The district provides identification for special education services age birth through 21. We provide special education programs and services for students aged 3 through 21. Today there are approximately 1,374 students in the Walton County School District receiving special education services. To meet their needs, the district employs over 200 special education teachers, therapists and paraprofessionals.

If you suspect that your school-age child has a disability and needs special education services, please consult with the special education administrator and/or Response to Intervention (RTI) administrator at your child’s school of attendance. For preschool-age children, the school district provides monthly Child Find screenings that can be scheduled through the preschool screening coordinator at (770) 266-4502. Private school providers and home school parents should contact the RTI/School Psychological Services Coordinator at (770) 266-4489.

 

On this webpage, you will find links regarding special education programs and support for parents and teachers. The "Parent and Community Resources" tab provides access to our parent mentor contact information, specific disability-related resources and parent rights documents.