276-821-5632

Bristol Virginia Public Schools provides Special Education, a program designed specifically to address the unique needs of children identified as having a disability. This program is entirely free for students, parents, and guardians.

Services are provided for students ages 2 through 21 who have been identified with a disability that impacts their learning. Early referral and evaluation for students demonstrating delays is critical, as interventions can significantly improve the child’s progress in school and quality of life.

It is important to remember that difficulty in school doesn't always indicate a disability, and not every child with a disability will require Special Education services. Eligibility is determined through a formal evaluation process that confirms both the presence of a disability and a negative impact on a child's educational or developmental progress.

Special Education Staff

• Assistant Superintendent - Dr. Megan de Nobriga (mdenobriga@bvps.org)

• Secretary - Kerri Malcolm (kmalcolm@bvps.org)

• Secretary/Bookkeeper - Alisha Pickel (apickel@bvps.org)

• School Psychologist - Grayson Byrd (greynolds@bvps.org)

• Program Director of Exceptional Learners - Melanie Young (myoung@bvps.org)

• Itinerant Early Childhood Special Education Teacher - Joy Berry (jberry@bvps.org)

• Resource Teacher for Student Services - Sara DeBusk (sadebusk@bvps.org)

• Foster Care/Homeless Liaison - Sara DeBusk (sadebusk@bvps.org)

VDOE Special Education Parent Involvement Survey

Each school year the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is required to report to the U.S. Department of Education the "Percent of parents with a child receiving special education services who report that schools facilitated parent involvement as a means of improving services and results for children with disabilities."

Your school division should have provided you with an opportunity to participate in a short survey, which VDOE will use to collect the necessary data to report on this requirement. Your participation in this survey will help VDOE collect additional information to identify training needs related to the special education processes.

The VDOE will use the results of this survey to improve parental involvement in the special education process and improve outcomes for all students within the Commonwealth. It is important to note that your responses are recorded anonymously and cannot be personally linked to your child.

Parents who have more than one child receiving special education services with an individualized education program (IEP) should submit one survey for each child by December 13, 2024.

Foster Care/Homeless Information

Special Education Information