Special Services

Hoquiam School District Special Services

District-Wide Special Education Services

Hoquiam School District is dedicated to meeting the needs of all children. The Special Education Department services children with disabilities ages 3 to 21. Children ages birth to 3 are eligible and served through our partnership with South Sound Parent to Parent.

Programs are developed on an individualized basis, determined by the individual needs of each child.

Contact Information

Director of Special Services

Jason Ihde

(360) 538-8291

Special Services Secretary

Casey Gwinn

(360) 538-8290

Special Education or 504 Records Requests

Please send request for records to:  

Casey Gwinn:   cgwinn@hoquiam.net

Fax: 1-360-538-8292

(For all other general education records requests/transcripts, please contact the school attended)

Special Education provides services to students with certain disabilities that are specified in state and federal laws. Services are free of charge to the parent.  Anyone may refer a student for an evaluation to determine if the student qualifies for services.  The referral needs to be in writing (unless, of course, you are unable to write) and forms are available in each school office.  If you suspect that your child has a disability and might require special education services and your child is not currently enrolled, you may direct the referral to the Special Services office.

Eligibility for special education services requires that we conduct an evaluation. The result of the evaluation must show that the child has a disability as defined in Chapter 392-172A of the Washington Administrative Code, and that this disability has a negative effect on the child making progress in what is being taught in the general education classroom, and that the student requires specially designed instruction.  If the child is a preschooler, the disability would need to cause the child to fall behind in activities that children without a disability do.

Services that eligible students receive need to address their individual needs.  These services are outlined in an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) that school staff and parents jointly develop.

There are many legal rules and regulations that determine what happens in special education.  They are outlined in WAC 392-172A and are written in legal language.  Further information may also be obtained from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).

 Specialized Staff serving students:

  • Developmental Preschool

  • Speech / Language Pathologists

  • Occupational Therapists

  • School Psychologists

  • Para Professionals

  • Registered Nurse

  • Special education Teachers

Title I, Special Education, and Parent Involvement

As a parent you play an important role in your child’s education. The Hoquiam School District has a written Parent Involvement policy available at the District Office. Building Parent Involvement policies are available at each school and are updated annually. Parent participation in the updates is welcomed and encouraged.  Click the link below for more information.

Child Find Screening and Evaluation
Young Children Ages 0-5
Early Intervention is very important to increase later school achievement. Even babies and toddlers can benefit from services! Hoquiam Special Services offers monthly Child Find screenings for children who reside within Hoquiam School District boundaries. This includes families who find themselves homeless. Parents or Guardians who feel their child may have a learning, speech, physical or behavior problem should call 538-8290 for more information or an appointment.

School Age 5-21
If you are between 5-21 years old, reside within the Hoquiam School District boundaries and feel that you may have a disability, you can request an evaluation from the school district. This includes families who find themselves homeless and students who are home schooled. An evaluation will give you specific information about your strengths and weakness and could result in specialized instruction or assistance to help you succeed in school. Call the Special Services office at 538-8290 for more information.