RACINE — The Southern Local School District has been selected by the Ohio Department of Education, Office of Exceptional Children (OEC), for an onsite review of its special education program.

OEC will hold a public meeting to describe the onsite review process from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in the Southern Elementary Cafetorium, 906 Elm Street in Racine. In addition, there will be an opportunity for parents, guardians, and other members of the public to share any comments with OEC regarding the Southern Local School district’s special education program.

In the event of snow or inclement weather, the meeting will be held Feb. 13, 2013, at 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the same location.

According to news release on the upcoming meeting, there are three ways for people to share your comments with OEC: provide public comment at the public meeting; provide written comments at the public meeting or mail to Dolores Fantroy, Office for Exceptional Children, Ohio Department of Education, 25 S. Front St., MS202, Columbus, Ohio 43215-4183; or fax to Dolores Fantroy at (614)752-1429; or e-mail to Dolores Fantroy at dolores.fantroy@education.ohio.gov. The Office for Exception Children must receive written comments by 5 p.m. on March 12.

Through individual meetings, if requested, an individual may meet with OEC consultants while they are in the district. Approximately 20 minutes will be scheduled for each meeting depending on the number of individuals making requests. Contact Stephanie Falor at 614-387-2236 or stephanie.falor@education.ohio.gov to arrange for an individual meeting.

The public parent meetings are not intended to resolve complaints about services for an individual child. Comments made at the public meeting, individual meetings or submission of written comments to OEC do not constitute a formal complaint. Information about IDEA procedural safeguards and the formal complaint process will be provided at the meeting. Any issues addressed, either in writing or during the public meeting, will be considered but may not be included in OEC’s summary report to the district. However, they will be considered during the monitoring process.