Lincoln Public Schools

Visit LPS online at http://www.lps.org/
This page can be found at http://www.lps.org/instruction/sped/default.html?
or by using the QR code to the right.

Welcome to Special Education

Our mission is to provide quality educational opportunities for students with disabilities from birth to age 21.  It is our aim to improve educational outcomes for all children with disabilities through collaborative efforts among students, families, educators and the community alike.

Thank you for your interest in the special education services provided by Lincoln Public Schools.  We hope you find this web site helpful.  Additional information can be obtained by calling our main switchboard at 436-1905 or fax at 436-1899.

Kristine Reckewey, Ph. D.
Director of Special Education

Special Education Leadership Team

Kristine Reckewey , Director of Special Education
436-1932
kreckew@lps.org

  • Department Organization and Operation
  • Budget, Staffing and IDEA Grant Coordination
  • Compliance Issues at District and Building Levels
  • Coordinators/Assistant Principals (monthly meetings)
  • Level III Placement Coordination
  • Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) Preparation and Mainenance of Claim, Plan and Budget, Audits
  • Parent Advisory Committee
  • Professional Development and Curriculum and Instruction Study Supports
  • Psychologists Supervision
  • Response to Intervention Math (RTI)
  • Special Education Website
  • SPELL Committee
  • State and Federal Compliance
  • Transportation for Special Education

Mary Ells, Assistant Director
436-1806
mells@lps.org

  • Assist in Overall Management of Department and Office Staff Supervision
  • Assistive Technology Services Supervision
  • CRS Resource Program
  • Curriculum and Instruction Study
  • Data Warehouse
  • District Wide Assessment: Accommodations, Alternate Assessment, CRT, GDR, NRT
  • Expertise in Programs/Services for Students with Autism, Learning Disabilities, Mental Handicaps
  • Grants Coordination: Collaborative Project and SCIP Grants
  • Homebound Program Supervision
  • IEP’s and Student Record System (SRS): Monitor, Plan and Implement
  • Improving Learning for Children with Disabilities (ILCD) Program Evaluation
  • Professional Development and School Improvement District Committee
  • Professional Development Support Team
  • Summer Services Support
  • Supervision of services for Assistive Technology, Inclusion Cadre,  Homebound and Nonpublic Schools
  • Schools Assigned: Southwest, Feeder Middle/Elementary Schools

Cindy Brunken, Supervisor
436-1902
cbrunk@lps.org

  • Brain Injury Regional Support Team (BIRSST) and Grant Co-Chairperson
  • Curriculum and Instructions Study and Resource Program Assistance
  • Expertise in Programs for Students with Speech-Language Impairments
  • IEP - Monitor, Plan, and Implement
  • Medicaid - MIPS and Medicaid Administrative Outreach Claim
  • Parent Newsletter
  • Professional Development Supports
  • Response to Intervention (RTI) K-8 Reading and Writing
  • Speech/Language Program Supervision
  • Summer Services Support
  • VIP-UNL Athletic Department/LPS Special Education Co-Chairperson
  • Schools Assigned:  East High, Feeder Middle/Elementary Schools

Tanya Hilligoss, Supervisor
436-1915
thillig@lps.org

Mary Phillips, Supervisor
436-1907
mphil@lps.org

Susan Safarik, Supervisor
436-1918
sbuchan@lps.org

  • Behavioral Disorders Program/Services: Behavioral Skills Program, Special Education Alternative Program and Yankee Hill Program Supervision
  • Behavioral Specialists and Behavioral Therapists Supervision
  • Expertise in Programs/Services for Students with Behavioral Disorders
  • Cedars Youth Services System Residential Program Supervision
  • Child Guidance Residential Program Supervision and Rule 18 Compliance
  • Contracts Out Coordination and Rule 19 Compliance
  • Curriculum and Instruction Study Assistance
  • MANDT Training Program Supervision
  • Professional Development Supports
  • Program Review Committee
  • Response to Invervention (RTI) Behavior
  • Summer Services Support
  • Schools Assigned:  Northeast, North Star, Feeder Middle/Elementary Schools

 

Assessment Options

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Behavior Disorders

Communication and Coordinator Notes

Community-Based Education (CBE)

Early Childhood Special Education

Government Resources

Hearing Impairment - SNRP

Houghton Mifflin Materials

IEP and MDT

National Associations

Parent Advisory Council Minutes

Parent Resources

Parental Rights In Special Education

Professional Development

RtI (Response to Intervention)

Rule 51

Severe Disabilities

Special Education Personnel Directory

Specific Learning Disabilities

Speech-Language

SRS System

Forms