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Exceptional Student Services (Special Education) Home

Exceptional Student Services

Our Vision 

We are united in a commitment to raising achievement and having high expectations for each student with exceptional needs. They will develop self-confidence, independence, social connectedness, and self-advocacy skills in order to lead a self-determined, fulfilled life.

Our Purpose

Exceptional Student Services is the umbrella under which students with special needs are served. We currently serve approximately 1371 students in programs and classrooms throughout the district. Students fall into many different special education categories, ranging from emotional disabilities to physical disabilities to speech therapy needs and all stages in between.

Exceptional Student Services includes the following:

  • Special Education
  • Assistive Technology
  • Occupational and Physical Therapy
  • Preschool
  • Psychology
  • Speech Therapy

Our Staff

It takes talented and caring staff members to ensure that our department maintains quality services for students. We never forget that everything we do is for the benefit of students, whether or not we work directly with them.  Please do not hesitate to contact us! 

  • 928.527.6171; ssmith2@fusd1.org

    Responsible for all aspects of Exceptional Student Services Department, including all special education staff, school psychologists, speech therapists, occupational/physical therapists, special education therapists, integrated preschools, and gifted education.  Also oversees the Bilingual Education, Indian Education, and Student Support Services Departments.

    Account Specialist/Office Manager: Michele Moore (527-6160)

  • 928.527.6179; amihoda@fusd1.org

    Coordinates district elementary specialized programs, occupational and physical therapists, new program specialists, and the Extended School Year (ESY) Program.

  • 928.527.6290; smartinet@fusd1.org

    Supports students and staff with curriculum, instruction, and alternative assessments. Provides support for the Gifted Program throughout the district.

  • 928.527.6101; rdejesus@fusd1.org

    Board Certified Behavior Analyst who provides assistance to students and staff throughout the district in the area of behavior intervention.

  • 928.527.6227; jaxler@fusd1.org

    Coordinates school psychologists.  Serves on the district's Preschool Evaluation Team.

  • 928.773.8198, ext. 4928; jdoneski-nicol@fusd1.org 

    Coordinates ordering, distribution, and training for assistive technology software and devices district wide. Provides assistance to students with disabilities and staff in the area of assistive technology.

  • 928.527.6160; mmoore@fusd1.org

    Assistant to Director of Equity, Inclusion, and Support. Maintains ESS Department budgets and special education staffing allocations. Prepares purchase orders for special education and related services staff. Prepares department payroll.  Requests substitutes for vacant special education teacher/parapro positions district wide.  Prepares and submits various special education grants with Arizona Department of Education. Submits annual special education data collection. 

  • 928.527.6170; dkelsey@fusd1.org

    Responsible for student data management, including student records databases and files for special needs students. Provides assistance with e-IEP Pro. Prepares various state reports, including special education census. Responds to student records requests.

  • 928.527.6163; hmitchell@fusd1.org

    Maintains Medicaid in the Public Schools Program (MIPS) and Medicaid Administrative Claiming Program (MAC), including training, organization of billing records, and all aspects related to Medicaid.  Coordinates registration for First Aid/CPR training for special education paraprofessionals.  Provides assistance with e-IEP Pro.

Special Education Parent Advisory Council

Parents and guardians are invited to participate in the Flagstaff Unified School District Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) to help the District drive improvements from which all students will benefit.  The purpose of the council will be to share ideas, problem solve, and brainstorm in a solution-oriented manner to assist the district in providing high-quality special education to our students.

The meeting will be held remotely on the dates listed below from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  A Microsoft Teams link will be sent to participants who RSVP prior to the meeting.  Please contact Michele Moore at 928.527.6160 or mmoore@fusd1.org to RSVP or for any questions.

2025-2026 Meeting Dates*

 

*Please note: These meeting dates may be changed as needed due to bad weather or scheduling conflicts.

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