Special Education
Meeting the instructional and support needs of learners with disabilities
Special education includes a wide array of programs and services designed to meet the needs of learners with disabilities. Special education and support services are available to learners, ages birth to 22, who have not graduated and who have been identified as needing specialized instructional services.
Main Contacts
Sonni Buerskin
Director, Student Services
763-391-7255
BuerskinS@district279.org
Jill Lesné
Assistant Director, Student Services
763-391-7125
LesneJ@district279.org
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District-Sponsored
District-Sponsored
External Resource
Available in several languages
External Resource
External Resource
The Community-Based Vocational Assessment and Training program provides work-based learning opportunities for students with disabilities to acquire entry-level skills to competently transition from school to community.
Developmental Adapted Physical Education is specifically designed physical education instruction and services for students with disabilities who have a significant delay or disorder in physical development.
Early Childhood Special Education services support children ages 0-3 in the home setting, and children ages 3-5 in school-based and community-based programs.
Resource special education programs are available at all sites to students in kindergarten through grade 12.
Occupational therapy is an educational support service designed to assist students to acquire the functional abilities necessary to access educational materials and adapt to their educational environment.
Physical therapy in the educational setting assists in promoting the student's ability to learn in the home and classroom setting.
School psychologists evaluate and complete assessments that address various needs in cognitive functioning, emotional/behavioral functioning, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and adaptive and functional skills.
School social workers provide mental health services to address needs that help students succeed academically, emotionally, and socially.
Speech-language pathologists serve students with identified speech and/or language impairments and needs at all Osseo Area Schools locations.
The Osseo Education Center (OEC) serves young adults, ages 17-21 who are receiving special education services.
Student Services Administrators
Willow Lane Early Childhood Center, Arbor View Early Childhood Center, Early Childhood Special Education- Part B
763-585-7302
Michelle Krelic
Edinbrook, Elm Creek, Park Brook, Rush Creek, Woodland
763-391- 7259
KrelicM@district279.org
Sarah Lancette, Ed.D.
Cedar Island, Fair Oaks, Fernbrook, Oak View, Palmer Lake, Rice Lake
763-391-7081
LancetteS@district279.org
Laura Louis-Jacques
Birch Grove, Basswood, Garden City, Weaver Lake, Zanewood
763-391-7259
Louis-JacquesL@district279.org
Maple Grove Senior High, Osseo Senior High, Park Center Senior High, Osseo Alternative Learning Center, 279Online
763-391-7062
JohnsonDanielle@district279.org
Angela VanHee
Brooklyn Middle, Maple Grove Middle, North View Middle, Osseo Middle
763-391-7128
VanHeeA@district279.org
Melissa Sennes – Health Services Coordinator
Nurses
763-391-7126
SennesM@district279.org
Student Services Office Support
Andrea McPherson – Admin Assistant to the Director of Student Services
Contracts
763-391-7132
McPhersonA@district279.org
Sharri Benkufsky – Lead Support Application Specialist
Special Education, Acknowledgement and Tuition Agreements
763-391-7134
BenkufskyS@district279.org
Kristin Johnson – Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Director of Student Services
Homeschool, Records/Transcripts, Non-Public
763-391-7125
JohnsonK5@District279.org
Andrea McCorkle – Administrative Assistant
Third-Party Billing, Extended School Year, School Nurse Support
763-391-7130
MccorkleA@District279.org