Department Overview

  • Paraprofessional in a classroom

    The Reading School District is committed to helping students with special needs achieve their educational potential. The district strives to build special programs specifically tailored to the assessed needs of a student and attempts to deliver those programs in the regular education environment as much as possible. Students will learn the general education curriculum with appropriate adaptations, modifications, supports and services in a nurturing, safe and accepting school community that recognizes and celebrates a broad range of talents, abilities and achievements.

    Goals for the department include:

    • To provide appropriate services to meet the individual learning needs, academically, socially and emotionally, of students.

    • To create programs that are integrally involved with and delivered through general education programs.

    • To comply with state and federal laws governing special education programming.

    • To plan and facilitate the professional development for district staff on compliance, state initiatives and instructional practices.

    • To provide resources and support to parents.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SUPPORT

    • Maleni Ortiz
      Special Education Clerk
      484-258-7101 ext. 60124

MIDDLE SCHOOL SUPPORT

    • Emily Brubaker
      Special Education Clerk
      484-258-7101 ext. 60122

READING HIGH SCHOOL SUPPORT

    • Cindy Glaze
      Special Education Clerk
      484-258-7101 ext. 60113

OUT-OF-DISTRICT SERVICES AND LOW INCIDENCE PROGRAMMING

    • Donna O'Brien
      Special Education Clerk
      484-258-7101 ext. 60126

SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM COORDINATORS

  • Stacey Barton
    Special Education Program Coordinator

    • Early Intervention
    • 16thand Haak Elementary School
    • Amanda Stout Elementary School
    • 10thand Penn Elementary School
    • Glendside Elementary School
    • Southern Middle School

    Erik Baker
    Special Education Program Coordinator 

    • Related Services
    • Instruction in the Home
    • Non-Public Liaison
      • Northwest Area Elementary School
      • Central Middle School
      • Southwest Middle School

    Christine Murrin
    Special Education Program Coordinator

    • Reading High School
    • Assistive Technology
    • Transition

    Kate Okonski
    Special Education Program Coordinator

    • K-12 Emotional Support
    • K-12 Life Skills Support
    • Out-of-District Services

    Meghan Paglia
    Special Education Program Coordinator

    • K-12 Autistic Support
    • K-12 Multiple Disabilities Support
    • Out-of-District Services

    Danielle Horvat
    Special Education Program Coordinator

    • 13thand Union Elementary School
    • 13thand Green Elementary School
    • 12thand Marion Elementary School
    • 10thand Green Elementary School
    • Northeast Middle School
    • Extended School Year Services
    • Gifted Support Services

    Stacey Hensley
    Special Education Program Coordinator

    • Riverside Elementary School
    • Millmont Elementary School
    • Tyson-Schoener Elementary School
    • Lauer’s Park Elementary School
    • Northwest Middle School

     

Contact

  • Christine Murrin
    Director of Special Education
    484-258-7102

    Shelley Grim
    Clerk Support
    484.258.7101 ext. 60211

Special Education Services

  • If a student of the Reading School District is found to be eligible for special education services, a Team (which includes, at minimum, the student's parents, a special education teacher, an administrator, and, in most cases, a regular education teacher must meet to develop the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) within 30 calendar days. The IEP is the written document that is the “contract” between the parents and the school. It lists the student’s goals and the services the school will provide to the student to help meet those goals.

Out of District

  • The IEP team determines the need for out of district services. Students whose parents reside in the district and whose children are registered in the district may require special education services to be provided outside of the district. Only those students who qualify, and whose needs cannot be met within the range of programs in the district are eligible for district-supported schooling outside the district.

Primary or Home Language is Other Than English

  • The Reading School District utilizes a comprehensive approach in determining the instructional needs of English Language Learners and possible eligibility for special education. The district provides for translation of all documents and interpreter services, in order to assure parent participation in, and understanding of the IEP process. All state and federal special education regulations are in place.