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Exceptional Children's Program

Exceptional Children's Program

Our Mission

 Assure that students with disabilities develop mentally, physically, emotionally, and vocationally through the provision of an appropriate individualized education in the least restrictive environment.

Department Phone Number: (919) 693-1103

 

Team Members

Suzanne Cotterman, Senior Director

cottermans@gcs.k12.nc.us

IP Extension: 101269

 

Hattie Mathis Yates, Administrative Specialist

alexanderh@gcs.k12.nc.us

IP Extension: 101268

 

Charlesetta Cheatham-Smith, Budget Specialist

cheathamc@gcs.k12.nc.us

IP Extension: 101875


 

Melanie Burnette, Compliance Specialist & Medicaid Specialist

burnettemb@gcs.k12.nc.us

IP Extension: 101248

 

Donna Bowling-Critcher, Compliance Specialist

critcherd@gcs.k12.nc.us

IP Extension: 101271

 

Kathy Edwardson, Compliance Specialist/Extended Content

edwardsonk@gcs.k12.nc.us

IP Extension: 101270

 

Nekia Lawson, Preschool Coordinator

lawsonr@gcs.k12.nc.us

IP Extension: 101247

 

Alishia Ewell, Behavior Specialist

ewella@gcs.k12.nc.us

IP Extension: 101290

 

Elton Buffaloe, EC Behavior Technician

buffaloee@gcs.k12.nc.us

 

Public Notice - IDEA

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA-Part B, Public Law 108.446) Project is presently being amended. The Project describes the special education programs that Granville County Public Schools proposes for Federal funding for the2026-2027 School Year. Interested persons are encouraged to review amendments to the Project and make comments concerning the implementation of special education under this Federal Program. All comments will be considered prior to submission of the amended Project to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh, North Carolina. The IDEA-Part B Project is open to the public for review and comments during the workdays of March 27-April 10, 2026, in the office of Dr. Suzanne Cotterman, Senior Director – Exceptional Children located at Granville Academy, 305 E Wilton Avenue, Creedmoor, NC 27522.

Public Notice - Private/Homeschool Participation

The Granville County Public School system will submit an application for funding under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Title VI, Part B 2026-2027 school year. IDEA requires that recipients of federal funds identify, locate and evaluate all children with disabilities who attend private school, and who are in need of special education and related services. In North Carolina, home schools are considered
private schools. Granville County Public Schools must provide equitable special education services based on the proportionate share set aside funds available, which is based on the number of children with disabilities parentally placed in private schools in accordance with federal law.
In order to comply with this federal law, we will need your assistance. Please identify (by student’s name, parent’s name, address and telephone number) your student(s) who (1) have a disability; (2) are not currently receiving special education services directly from their private school; and (3) are in need of special education services. Please also identify the kind of special education and related services you believe might be of benefit to your students.
If you have students who may be eligible for special education services, please attend a scheduled meeting for private school administrators in Granville County on Monday, April 13, 2026 @ 1:00 pm. The purpose of this meeting is to develop a plan for exceptional children services to Granville County students enrolled in private schools. If you are interested in attending this meeting, please respond with an email to:
cottermans@gcs.k12.nc.us.
Please provide a password-protected copy of the information requested above prior to the scheduled April 13th meeting. If you are unable to participate in the meeting and wish to provide input, please reach out directly through email to inform us of the services you wish to have provided, or send the requested information to us at the email address listed above. Thank you for your assistance with meeting the needs of students with disabilities in Granville County.

Dr. Suzanne Cotterman
Senior Director
Exceptional Children
cottermans@gcs.k12.nc.us

Granville Academy
305 E Wilton Avenue
Creedmoor, North Carolina 27522
(919) 693-1103

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  • Welcome

    If you are new to Granville County Public Schools and have questions about special education, please contact the EC Department at (919) 693-1103 or reach out to any of the staff members listed on this website for assistance.

    In order to make your student’s transition into Granville County Public Schools go smoothly, it is very important to provide your student’s new school copies of the following information during registration:

    •Most recent psychoeducational report, eligibility, evaluation and/or reevaluation report;

    •Current individualized education program (IEP); and

    •Contact information for your student’s previous school and school district.

    These items will support a successful transition between your student’s old and new school and will ensure that appropriate services and supports are made available.

    What to Expect

    For out of state students:

    Once you have shared your student’s special education records, school staff will invite you to a meeting to discuss comparable services, or services similar to or the same as, provided on your student’s most recent IEP. During the meeting, school staff will also describe the initial eligibility process that occurs when students move from out of state and the timeline in which an initial North Carolina (NC) IEP will be developed.

    For in state students but new to Granville County Public Schools:

    School staff will begin implementing your student’s current NC on their first day of school. An invitation to review and revise your student’s IEP may be scheduled. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss your student’s transition to a new school and to determine if any adjustments to the services and supports currently being provided are needed.

     

     

  • From time to time, disagreements between families and schools may occur regarding the development  and implementation a student’s individualized education program (IEP).  It is highly recommended that the following steps be considered in order to resolve differences quickly. 

    1. Address at the Classroom Level - First talk to your child's teacher about your concern.
    2. Address at the School Level - Talk to the Principal at your child's school about your concern.
    3. Address at the District Level - If you still have concerns, contact the local EC Director for Granville County Public Schools.

  • What is NC MTSS?

    Family engagement within a MTSS is defined as the active and meaningful partnerships that educators build and maintain with students' families for the purpose of supporting student learning.  It embodies the idea that all parties are equally invested in the student's educational experience and all parties bring knowledge and skills of equal value to the table to work together.

    Multi-Tiered System of Support for Families (MTSS)