Special Education
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>>CLICK HERE for RCPS SB-10 Application for Special Needs Scholarship
Dear Parents:
As the parent of a student who receives special education in the Rockdale County Public School System, we wanted to let you know about your options to exercise public and private school choice. This information was recently posted on our system website https://www.rockdaleschools.org/departments/leadership-and-learning/learning-support-special-education-esol/special-education. From the website, click on the link "RCPS SB-10 Application" to complete and submit an application. The Georgia Special Needs Scholarship, parents of students who receive special education may choose to transfer their child to another public school or private school in Georgia. If the student meets the eligibility criteria outlined on the Georgia Depart of Education website https://www.gagode.org/external-affairs-and-policy/policy/pages/special-needs-scholarship-program.aspx the following options are available.
Public School Choice Options:
A parent may request a transfer to another public school within their school system as long as there is capacity at the school and a program available which is aligned with the student’s IEP. Capacity is based on established health and safety provisions and class-size by grade and subject. If this option is chosen and approved, the parent will be responsible for transportation to and from the school. Scholarship applications should be submitted to the Director of Learning Support no later than Friday, May 30, 2025 at 4:00 pm. Parents will receive notification, by letter, of the district’s decision regarding your request for the 2025-2026 school year by Friday, June 13, 2025.
The parent may request a transfer to a school in another school system if there is capacity at the school and a program available which is aligned with the student’s IEP. A school system considering a request for a transfer to its school system from another school system can deny a request and can charge a parent/guardian for the costs of educating a student during the first school year of the transfer. If this option is chosen and approved by the system, the parent will be responsible for transportation to and from the school in that system.
The parent may also request a transfer to one of the state schools for the deaf and/or blind operated by the State Board of Education. Acceptance into a state school will depend on whether that setting is appropriate for the student’s needs. If the parent chooses this option, the parent will be responsible for transportation to and from the state school. Please contact the Georgia Department of Education for more information about transferring to a state school.
Private School Choice Option:
If you are interested in transferring your child to a private school in Georgia, you may visit the Georgia Department of Education’s website at https://www.gadoe.org/external-affairs-and-policy/policy/pages/special-needs-scholarship-program.aspx. There is no formal application process for the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program. Parent/guardian will determine a student’s potential scholarship award using the scholarship calculator on the web page. The calculator for the 2025-2026 school year will be available on the Georgia Department of Education website.
You may also contact the Director of Learning Support, Dr. Tyra Simon at 770-860-4231 if you have questions.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tyra Simon
Director of Learning Support
The Department of Special Education is dedicated to providing support to children, parents, and the faculty of the Rockdale County Public Schools. The department is based at the Central Office facility located at 960 Pine Street NE, Conyers, GA, 770-860-4231.
Special Education incorporates a variety of specialists that includes coaches, special educators, speech and language pathologists, physical and occupational therapists, and vision/hearing teachers. LSS is also responsible for monitoring and implementing special education services and programs throughout the school district. The LSS staff regularly offers training and workshops to faculty to ensure the highest quality of training and valuable resources.
Dr. Tyra Simon
Director
Phone: 770-860-4231
Email: tsimon25@rockdale.k12.ga.us
Anja Peay
Secretary
Phone: 770-860-4231
Email: apeay@rockdale.k12.ga.us
Directory
| Name | Title | Phone |
| Dr. Tyra Simon | Director | 770-860-4231 |
| Kachelle White | Secondary Coordinator | 770-860-4238 |
| Jessica Walls | Elementary Coordinator | 770-860-4212 |
| Sasceria White | Elementary Coordinator /Related Services | 770-761-1454 |
| Tracey Thomas | Secondary Coordinator | 770-860-4229 |
| Deana Cain | State Reporting and Compliance | 770-860-4244 |
| Angela Dyer | Parent Mentor | 770-918-6187 |
| Josh Kammerer | Behavior Specialist | 770-918-6186 |
| Steve Johnson | Behavior Specialist | 770-860-4231 |
| Anja Peay | Secretary / Special Ed Records | 770-860-4231 |
| Jackeline Perez | Learning Support Bookkeeper | 770-860-4245 |
| Dr. Pankaj Gaur | Vision Specialist | 770-918-2519 |
2024-2025 RCPS Office of Learning Support
Lead Teachers for Compliance Contact List:
Helen Clinton-Cain, [email protected]
Barksdale Elementary 770-483-9514 (on-campus extension 13243)
J.H. House Elementary 770-483-9504 (on-campus extension 18131)
Miracle Brewington, [email protected]
C.J. Hicks Elementary 770-483-4410 (on-campus extension 14132)
Nashetta Lowe, [email protected]
Flat Shoals Elementary 770-483-5136 (on-campus extension 15139)
Pine Street Elementary 770-483-8713 (on-campus extension 20134)
Nancy Kendrick, [email protected]
Hightower Elementary 770-388-0751 (on-campus extension 17230)
Honey Creek Elementary 770-483-5706 (on-campus extension 16128)
Angela Beal, [email protected]
Lorraine Elementary 770-483-0657 (on-campus extension 35147)
Peeks Chapel Elementary 770-761-1842 (on-campus extension 19129)
Rachel Stroman, rstroman@rockdale.k12.ga.us
Shoal Creek Elementary 770-929-1430 (on-campus extension 21128)
Pamela Hudson, phudson@rockdale.k12.ga.us
Sims Elementary 770-922-0666 (on-campus extension 22117)
Bonita Wade, [email protected]
Memorial Middle School 770-922-0139 (on-campus extension 26130)
Deunza Pitt-Malone, [email protected]
Conyers Middle 770-483-3371 (on-campus extension 23130)
Dr. Chalita Germany, [email protected]
General Ray Davis Middle 770-388-5675 (on-campus extension 24127)
Shani Simmons, [email protected]
Edwards Middle 770-483-3255 (on-campus extension 25198)
Folashade Belmon, [email protected]
Heritage High School 770-483-5428 (on-campus extension 27164)
Dr. Pamela Johnson, [email protected]
Rockdale County High 770-483-8754 (on-campus extension 28228)
Celeste Gross, [email protected]
Salem High School 770-929-0176 (on-campus extension 34129)
Shelean Young, [email protected]
Rockdale Career Academy and EPIC 770-388-5677 (on-campus extension 31132)
Kasha King, [email protected]
READY Program 770-483-4410 (on-campus extension 14133)
Requests for Special Education Records:
Click here for the form: RECORDS REQUEST
Please email or fax your completed request form to
Anja Peay: [email protected]/ 678-658-3152 Fax
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Child Find Notice
(Identification of Services for Individuals with Disabilities)
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Rockdale County Public Schools implements a comprehensive Child Find system to assure that all children who are in need of early intervention or special education services are located, identified, and referred. The Child Find network assists in identifying and providing appropriate educational help to students with disabilities. If you suspect your child, ages 3-21, may be a child with a disability, you are encouraged to contact the Learning Support Services office of Rockdale County Public Schools at 770-860-4231. Personnel can support you in exploring what services may be available.
Child Find extends to children who are parentally placed in private or home schools. Rockdale County Public Schools personnel are available to meet with the representative from private and home schools to inform them of the district’s Child Find procedures and services that may be available under the proportionate share of federal special education funds. If your child is enrolled in a private school or home school and has been identified as a child with a disability or you suspect your child has a disability, you may contact Dr. Tyra Simon, Director of Learning Support at 770-860-4231 for more information.
Requests for Special Education Records
Please email your request to [email protected] or fax request to 678-658-3152
Helpful Links
Georgia Parent Mentor Partnership
Resources for Students with Disabilities After High School
Parent to Parent of GA
Community Resources Guide PDF
Community Resources Guide Word Document
GA DOE Special Education
Parent's Rights Videos from GADOE
GA DOE Transition from High School