Student Services

Special Education at Centennial

Centennial Schools is committed to helping all students from birth to age 21 connect, achieve and prepare for lifelong learning. Centennial Schools provides a continuum of special education services. Centennial serves approximately 1,000 children from birth to age 21. Vibrant learning environments and a personalized team-approach support each individual’s strengths, needs, and goals.

Special education services and placement are determined by a team, including the parents, to develop an individualized educational program (IEP) plan. Teams always consider the most inclusive, least restrictive educational environment where each child has the opportunity to learn and develop in an age-appropriate setting.

Each school has a special education team that specializes in intervention supports, evaluations and specialized instruction, and related services. All schools have a lead teacher who is responsible for supporting students and families in special education.

If you have concerns about your child's development, please contact the lead teacher at your child's school, or call the Special Education Office at 763.792.5235. For further information, see the Minnesota Department of Education website.

Birth-High School

Special Education and related services are available to students identified as having an educational disability. Parents are involved in the evaluation process and the development of Individual Education Programs (IEP's) for students who meet state eligibility criteria. Special education teachers and related services professionals provide services to meet student needs according to their individualized educational program (IEP) plan.

Transition Services 18-21

Students between the ages of 18 and 21 who have not achieved their goals in the areas of Home living, Community Participation, Recreation and Leisure, Post- secondary Education and Training, and Employment are eligible to continue educational programming related to these areas based on their IEP.

Learn more about Project SEARCH and the Journey Program.

Adapted Athletics

Centennial special education students are eligible to participate in adapted athletics. Join one or all of the teams!

Link to Adapted Athletics

Birth - 2 Years

Information on Third Party Billing (Birth through Two Years)

If your child has an IEP* or IFSP** at school, state law requires that the school district bill to get payment from a Minnesota Health Care Program (Medical Assistance, Minnesota Care). Third Party Billing is a process utilized by schools and health care providers to access public and private funds to cover the cost of medically-related health care services provided in accordance with an IEP or IFSP.

*IEP: Individual Education Plan
**IFSP: Individual Family Service Plan

Types of Health-Related Services

Assistive Technology Devices
Speech/Language and Audiology
Mental Health Services
Special Transportation
Occupational Therapy
Oral Language Interpreter
Personal Care Assistance
Physical Therapy
Nursing Services
Special Education Psychology Assessments
Hearing Services

Centennial School District 12 Statement of Assurances

1. All funds covered through Third Party Billing must be used to support and improve Special Education services. Minnesota law stipulates that special education revenue cannot be reduced due to recovery of Third Party Billing funds.

2. The District will provide a free and appropriate public education for the child regardless of whether you provide permission for Third Party Billing. Families will not bear the cost of IEP or IFSP-related services.

3. Minnesota statutes insures that a child's monthly, annual, and lifetime limits for State Plan and/or "waivered" services will not be impacted when a District receives Medical Assistance or Minnesota Care payment for IEP or IFSP-related services.

4. Parents will receive from their public plan an explanation of benefits received by the District for their child.

5. Your consent is voluntary. You can deny consent to bill at any time. Please call if you have any questions.

How Does Third Party Billing Work?

1. The school district provides special education and related services in accordance with an IEP or IFSP.

2. Families with Medical Assistance or Minnesota Care: The district will share IEP or IFSP-related services with the Minnesota Department of Human Services for billing purposes.

3. Medically-related service provider document IEP or IFSP services and keep a log of services provided to your child.

4. Special Education Services Office collects all documentation, checks for accuracy, and completeness (confidentiality is insured).

5. The Special Education Services Office's agent completes all paperwork and works with the Minnesota Department of Human Services to facilitate payment of the claim.

6. The Special Education Services Office completes a monthly summary and collects revenue.

For more information on third party billing contact:

Kathy Zwonitzer
Director, Student Services, Centennial Schools
763.792.6040

Kelsi Gruber Kellerhuis
Health Services Coordinator, Centennial Schools
763.792.5231

Jenny Roth
IEP Coordinator, Minnesota Department of Human Services
651.431.2622

Ruth Ellen Luehr
Third Party Billing Specialist, Minnesota Department of Education
651.582.8403

3 - 21 Years

Information on Third Party Billing (Ages 3-21)

*IEP: Individual Education Plan
**IFSP: Individual Family Service Plan

Types of Health-Related Services

Assistive Technology Devices
Speech/Language and Audiology
Mental Health Services
Special Transportation
Occupational Therapy
Oral Language Interpreter
Personal Care Assistance
Physical Therapy
Nursing Services
Special Education Psychology Assessments
Hearing Services

Centennial School District 12 Statement of Assurances

All funds covered through Third Party Billing must be used to support and improve Special Education services. Minnesota law stipulates that special education revenue cannot be reduced due to recovery of Third Party Billing funds.
The District will provide a free and appropriate public education for the child regardless of whether you provide permission for Third Party Billing. Families will not bear the cost of IEP or IFSP-related services.
Minnesota statutes insures that a child’s monthly, annual, and lifetime limits for State Plan and/or “waivered” services will not be impacted when a District receives Medical Assistance or Minnesota Care payment for IEP or IFSP-related services.
Parents will receive from their public plan an explanation of benefits received by the District for their child.
Your consent is implied through the Minnesota Health Care Plan Application. Please call if you have any questions.

How Does Third Party Billing Work?

The school district provides special education and related services in accordance with an IEP or IFSP.
The district will share IEP or IFSP-related services with the Minnesota Department of Human Services for billing purposes.
Medically-related service provider document IEP or IFSP services and keep a log of services provided to your child.
Special Education Services Office collects all documentation, checks for accuracy, and completeness (confidentiality is insured).
The Special Education Services Office’s agent completes all paperwork and works with the Minnesota Department of Human Services to facilitate payment of the claim.
The Special Education Services Office completes a monthly summary and collects revenue.

For more information on third party billing contact:

Kathy Zwonitzer
Director, Student Services, Centennial Schools
763.792.6040

Megan Rineck
Lead Administrative Assistant, Centennial Schools
763.792.6029

Kelsi Gruber Kellerhuis
Health Services Coordinator, Centennial Schools
763.792.5231

Jenny Roth
IEP Coordinator, Minnesota Department of Human Services
651.431.2622

Julie Neururer
Third Party Billing Specialist, Minnesota Department of Education
651.582.8660

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Contact

Kathy Zwonitzer
Director
kzwonitzer@isd12.org
763-792-6040

Gretchen Eychaner
Coordinator Secondary
geychaner@isd12.org
763-792-5282

Raycheal Zamora
Coordinator PreK - 5th
rzamora @isd12.org
763-792-6041

Kirsten Krause
Lead Administrative Assistant
kkrause@isd12.org
763-792-5235

Additional Resources

Early Childhood

An important responsibility of the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability against students with disabilities. Click here to learn more about the Office of Civil Rights.

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