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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>TO: All District and ESD
Special Education Directors<font color=red><span style='color:red'><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The message below is <font color=black><span
style='color:black'>being sent to you on</span></font> behalf of:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Nancy Latini, PhD<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Assistant Superintendent<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Student Learning & Partnerships<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>______________________________________________ <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>July 27, 2009<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>RE: Services
for Students who are Blind and Visually Impaired<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>This is the second message from
Superintendent Castillo regarding student services for students transitioning
from OSB. We are excited about our partnership with NWRESD in this
effort. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><font size=3 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Nancy</span></font></st1:City></st1:place><font
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial;color:black'> Latini, PhD
<br>
Assistant Superintendent <br>
Oregon Department of Education <br>
Student Learning & Partnerships <br>
503-947-5702 <br>
<u>nancy.latini@state.or.us</u> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>July 27, 2009<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>TO: <u1:place u2:st="on"><u1:PlaceName u2:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">All</u1:PlaceName></st1:PlaceName> <u1:PlaceType u2:st="on"><st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">School</u1:PlaceType></u1:PlaceType></u1:place></st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
Superintendents, Principals, and School District Staff<b><font color=navy><span
style='color:navy;font-weight:bold'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>FR: Superintendent Susan
Castillo<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in'><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>RE: Naming of Northwest
Regional ESD as Lead Regional Program to Coordinate Services to Blind and
Visually Impaired Students per House Bill 2834<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Governor Kulongoski recently signed House Bill 2834 into
law, which closes the <u1:place u2:st="on"><u1:PlaceName u2:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Oregon</u1:place></u1:PlaceName></st1:PlaceName>
<u1:PlaceType u2:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">School</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
for the Blind (OSB) by September 1, 2009. The bill contained several provisions
that assign specific duties to state agencies such as the Oregon Department of
Education (ODE), the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS), and the Oregon
Department of Administrative Services (DAS). These provisions are
intended to provide a smooth transition for students as they return to their
home school districts.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>House Bill 2834 also established the Blind and Visually
Impaired Student Fund to assist all <u1:State u2:st="on"><u1:place u2:st="on"><st1:State
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Oregon</u1:place></u1:State></st1:place></st1:State>
students who are blind or visually impaired and ensure they receive appropriate
educational services in their local communities. The Legislature included
an appropriation of $2,985,218. Specifically the fund can be used for
(excerpt of HB 2834):<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-style:italic'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><i><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-style:italic'>SECTION 7(a)
Assisting students who are blind or visually impaired in receiving appropriate
resources and services, including educational services, in the communities where
the students reside; <o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><i><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-style:italic'>(b) Supplementing
funds available to regional programs authorized under ORS 343.236<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><i><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-style:italic'>(1)(a)(A) and (C)
to ensure access to the expanded core curriculum for students who are blind or
visually impaired;<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><i><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-style:italic'>(c) Coordinating
professional development of persons who provide educational services to
students who are blind or visually impaired;<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><i><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-style:italic'>(d) Providing
technical assistance for the purpose of providing educational services to students
who are blind or visually impaired; and<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><i><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-style:italic'>(e) Coordinating
activities for the benefit of students who are blind or visually impaired.<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-style:italic'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The bill also requires the Superintendent of Public
Instruction to designate one lead Regional Program to provide statewide
coordination of services supported by the Student Fund and to ensure a smooth
transition for students who will be returning to local school districts.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-style:italic'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><i><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-style:italic'>SECTION 11. (b)
The superintendent shall designate one of the regional programs that provides
special education to children who are blind or visually impaired to provide
statewide coordination and technical assistance related to:<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><i><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-style:italic'>(A) The provision
of services described in section 7 (2) of this 2009 Act; and<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><i><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-style:italic'>(B) The transition
of students from the <u1:place u2:st="on"><u1:PlaceName u2:st="on">Oregon</u1:PlaceName>
<u1:PlaceType u2:st="on">School</u1:PlaceType></u1:PlaceType></u1:place> for
the Blind to the communities and school districts where the students will be
located after the closure of the <u1:place u2:st="on"><u1:PlaceName u2:st="on">Oregon</u1:PlaceName>
<u1:PlaceType u2:st="on">School</u1:PlaceType></u1:PlaceType></u1:place> for
the Blind…<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I am writing today to inform you that I have designated the
Northwest Regional Education Service District (NWRESD) to help carry out these
provisions of House Bill 2834, effective immediately. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I am very pleased that NWRESD has accepted this
responsibility and look forward to a partnership that will benefit the students
from the <u1:PlaceName u2:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Oregon</u1:PlaceName></st1:PlaceName>
<u1:PlaceType u2:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">School</u1:PlaceType></st1:PlaceType>
for the Blind, students who are blind and visually impaired across <u1:State u2:st="on"><u1:place u2:st="on"><st1:State
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Oregon</u1:place></u1:State></st1:place></st1:State>,
and their families. The staff at NWRESD has demonstrated a continuing
commitment to ensuring high quality programs for students who are blind and
visually impaired.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact
Eric Richards at ODE (503-947-5786 or <a href="mailto:eric.richards@state.or.us">eric.richards@state.or.us</a>)
or Joan Steiner at NWRESD <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>(503-614-1275 or <a
href="mailto:jsteiner@nwresd.k12.or.us">jsteiner@nwresd.k12.or.us</a>).<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>If you have any difficulty viewing this document, please
contact Laura Allran at <a href="mailto:heidi.schulze@state.or.us">laura.allran@state.or.us</a>
or 503-947-5674.<font color=red><span style='color:red'><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Messages to and from this e-mail address may be made
available to the public under <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Oregon</st1:place></st1:State>
law.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>===========End of Message============<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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