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Chippewa Local Schools is committed to accountability, operational excellence, and open communication. This centralized repository provides our families and community members with direct access to state-mandated disclosures, district policies, and compliance reports.

In This Section

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Public Release: Free and Reduced Price Meals Policy

Ashland, Holmes and Wayne County Public Schools announced its 2025-2026 program year policy for free and reduced price meals or free milk for students unable to pay the full price of meals or milk served under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast, After School Care Snack or Special Milk Programs. Each school office and the central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party.

The State of Ohio Budget for school year 2025-2026 includes funding to cover the cost of reduced meals for breakfast and lunch. This provision allows schools to provide no cost meals to reduced price meal eligible students.

Eligibility & Application Process

  • Guidelines: The Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines will be used to determine eligibility. Children from families whose annual income is at or below the federal guidelines are eligible for free and reduced-price meals or free milk if the school participates in the Special Milk Program.
  • Application Availability: Application forms are distributed to all homes in a letter to parents or guardians. To apply for free and reduced-price benefits, households should complete an application and return it to the school. Additional copies are available at the principal’s office in each school. A complete application is required.
  • SNAP or OWF Households: Households which currently receive Special Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits (SNAP, formally known as food stamps) or Ohio Works First (OWF) funds for a child must provide the child’s name, the SNAP or OWF case number and signature of an adult household member on the application.
  • Other Households: Households that do not receive SNAP or OWF funds must provide the names of all household members, the last four digits of the Social Security Number of the adult signing the application (or state “none” if the adult does not have a Social Security Number), the amount and source of income received by each household member (state the monthly income), and the signature of an adult household member.
  • Missing Information: If any of this information is missing, the school cannot process the application.
  • Timeline: Households may apply for benefits any time during the school year. If a household is not currently eligible and if the household size increases or income decreases because of unemployment or other reasons, the family should contact the school to file a new application. Such changes may make the children of the family eligible for free or reduced-price benefits if the family income falls at or below the required levels.
  • Foster Children: Foster children are categorically eligible for free meal benefits regardless of the household’s income. If a family has foster children living with them and wishes to apply for such meals or milk for them, contact the school for more information.

Verification & Confidentiality

  • Confidentiality: The information provided on the application is confidential and will only be used for the purpose of determining eligibility. It may be verified at any time during the school year by school or other program officials.
  • Misrepresentation: To discourage the possibility of misrepresentation, the application forms contain a statement above the space for signature certifying that all information furnished is true and correct. Applications are being made in connection with the receipt of federal funds. Deliberate misrepresentation of information may subject the applicant to prosecution under applicable state and federal laws.
  • Notification & Appeals: Households will be notified of the approval or denial of benefits. Under the provision of the policy, an appointed hearing official in each district will review applications and determine eligibility. If a parent or guardian disagrees with the decision on the application or the result of verification, the decision may be discussed with the determining official on an informal basis. If a formal appeal is desired, the household has the right to a fair hearing. A fair hearing can be requested either orally or in writing from an appointed fair hearing official in each district. Call your school district’s office for this name and number. The policy contains an outline of the hearing procedure.

Free Health Care Information

Families with children eligible for school meals may be eligible for free health care coverage through Medicaid and/or Ohio’s Healthy Start & Healthy Families programs. These programs include coverage for doctor visits, immunizations, physicals, prescriptions, dental, vision, mental health, substance abuse, and more.

Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’S TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA.

The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

  1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
  2. Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442
  3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov

Note: This institution is an equal opportunity provider

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I. Purpose and Alignment

This plan outlines the strategic utilization of Disadvantaged Pupil Impact Aid (DPIA) and Student Wellness and Success Funds as mandated by Ohio Revised Code 3317.25. The goal of these funds is to provide “wraparound services” that address physical, mental, and academic barriers to learning for at-risk and economically disadvantaged student populations.

II. Mental and Physical Health Services (50% Mandate)

In compliance with state law requiring at least 50% of combined funds be spent on mental or physical health, Chippewa Local Schools prioritizes the “Whole Child” through the following initiatives:

  • Tiered Behavioral Support: The district utilizes specialized counseling staff to provide direct mental health services, crisis intervention, and social-emotional coordination. This internal clinical model allows for higher-frequency support for students in need.
  • Contracted Nursing Services: Through a partnership with the Educational Service Center (ESC), the district provides professional nursing care to manage chronic health conditions, conduct screenings, and ensure students are physically healthy and ready to learn.
  • Clinical Coordination: Funds support the coordination of clinical services for students requiring intensive behavioral health interventions.

III. Academic Intervention and Literacy Support

The remainder of the DPIA allocation is dedicated to closing the achievement gap through evidence-based academic supports:

  • Science of Reading Alignment: All literacy-related expenditures are strictly aligned with Ohio’s Science of Reading mandates. This includes the purchase of evidence-based instructional materials and consumable workbooks for specialized reading intervention.
  • Digital Progress Monitoring: The district utilizes universal screening and progress monitoring software to track student growth in real-time. This data allows staff to adjust interventions immediately for students not meeting grade-level benchmarks in ELA and Math.
  • Adaptive Learning Platforms: Funding supports supplemental adaptive digital tools that provide individualized practice for students in ELA and Math, specifically targeting foundational skill gaps identified through diagnostic testing.

IV. Student Safety and Community Partnerships

Chippewa Local Schools coordinates these services in formal partnership with the following organizations:

  1. Doylestown Police Department: Collaborating on school safety initiatives, security services, and drug prevention education to ensure a secure learning environment.
  2. OHuddle: Providing high-impact mentorship and social-emotional support for students in the Junior and Senior High School.
  3. Educational Service Center (ESC): Providing specialized physical health services and professional nursing staff.
  4. Wayne County Mental Health Board: Serving as a primary consultant for prevention and treatment coordination.

V. Anticipated Impact

By integrating clinical health supports, local safety partnerships, and data-driven academic interventions, the district anticipates a reduction in chronic absenteeism and an increase in the percentage of students meeting the Third Grade Reading Guarantee and secondary graduation requirements.

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Introduction and Purpose

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (the “Department”) is committed to providing high-quality instruction to all students, including those receiving special education services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP). As Ohio prioritizes literacy and access to high-quality language and literacy interventions, questions have arisen regarding the role of Literacy Specialists and general education teachers in delivering Specially Designed Instruction (SDI). This memo provides official guidance on this matter.

Scope Note: This guidance does not apply to charter nonpublic schools.

A “Literacy Specialist” refers to a teacher with specialized training in literacy instruction, which can include teachers trained in their district’s Structured Literacy Certification process under Ohio Revised Code 3319.078.

Special Education and Specially Designed Instruction (SDI)

  • General Principles: Students with disabilities are general education students first, receiving core instruction and supports alongside their peers. They are to be educated with non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate, per federal regulations (34 CFR 300.114(a)(2)).
  • Definition of SDI: According to 34 CFR 300.39(b)(3) and Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) 3301-51-01, SDI means adapting the content, methodology, or delivery of instruction as appropriate to meet the unique and individual needs of a child with a disability. This ensures access to the general curriculum so they can meet applicable educational standards.
  • Beyond General Education: SDI goes beyond general education instruction to provide specialized support and accommodations for specific challenges faced by students with disabilities.
  • Process: The development and primary implementation of SDI must follow the review and revision process within The Operating Standards for the Education of Children with Disabilities.

Intervention Specialists and Related Service Providers

Educational agencies are responsible for assigning staff who are properly trained and licensed to implement special education services (34 CFR 300.156; OAC 3301-51-09(H)).

  • Caseload Assignment: Every student who qualifies for special education services must be assigned to an Intervention Specialist and/or a Related Service Provider’s caseload (OAC 3301-51-09(G)).
  • IEP Team Membership: These assigned professionals must be listed in the specially designed services section of the IEP and are required members of the IEP team.
  • Primary Responsibilities: They ensure services and supports are in place, collaborate to develop and execute IEPs, complete special education paperwork, monitor student progress, and communicate with families and other professionals.

Who Can Deliver SDI?

Intervention Specialists and Related Service Providers hold the primary responsibility to design the SDI, oversee special education services, and ensure the implementation of service minutes and progress monitoring.

The IEP team ultimately decides who will deliver SDI based on the student’s unique needs and the content-level expertise of qualified personnel.

Collaborative Delivery

General education teachers or other field experts (listed under support for school personnel in the IEP) may collaborate with the Intervention Specialist or Related Service Provider to deliver SDI, provided that the Intervention Specialist or Related Service Provider:

  • Ensures the implementation of SDI service minutes and that instructional strategies align with the student’s IEP;
  • Assesses and monitors progress toward IEP goals alongside the SDI provider, making necessary instructional adjustments; and
  • Maintains strict oversight and compliance with SDI implementation requirements.

Conclusion & Contacts

The Department is developing additional guidance on SDI to offer more specific information in the future. The Office for Exceptional Children remains committed to ensuring all students with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education.

  • Questions/Information: Email the Office for Exceptional Children at exceptionalchildren@education.ohio.gov.
  • Department Address: 25 South Front Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215 U.S.A.
  • Phone: 877-644-6338 (Deaf or hard of hearing individuals, please call Relay Ohio first at 711).

Agency Note: The State of Ohio is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider of ADA Services.