Polk County News
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • October 4, 2017 5a
Education: Marsh said situation degraded quickly
Continued from Page1a
She said the due process
complaint procedures are set
up to find a resolution before
the case goes to a hearing. Ei-
ther mediation or a resolu-
tion session is mandatory.
Most cases are resolved at
that level, Noor said.
“When these do go to
hearing, that means there are
some significant concerns
and disagreements about
what is appropriate for the
student,” she said.
The hearing has already
taken three weeks to present
the district’s witnesses. Wis-
carson cross-examines those
witnesses at the time so they
don’t need to be called again.
Marsh has already testified.
Wiscarson will begin pre-
senting evidence later this
month, a process which
could take another week. The
judge will issue a decision in
early 2018.
IEP conflicts
Marsh said while Elise’s
IEPs have identified her as vi-
sion and hearing impaired,
they didn’t qualify her as
deaf-blind until recent years.
That designation could have
provided Elise a deaf-blind
intervenor, someone who
could help provide her infor-
mation about what was
going on around her and
what was being said.
Marsh added it wasn’t
until Elise wasn’t keeping up
with her peers that she dis-
covered she needed the in-
tervenor.
“I wasn’t really aware at
the time,” she said. “The
school wasn’t aware at the
time. She had a one-on-one
who was doing a good job
and in a long-term relation-
ship (with Elise). She had
been with her for several
years. As she was getting
older, and the gap was in-
creasing between her and
her peers, I was becoming
more educated.”
During the 2011-12
school year, the district des-
ignated Elise as intellectual-
ly disabled. The complaint
said that was inappropriate
because Elise never com-
pleted the evaluation. She
hasn’t been re-evaluated, so
her IEP doesn’t list her in
that category any longer,
Marsh said.
She added that she doesn’t
believe there is a good test
for determining Elise’s cogni-
tive ability, but she was
deeply disappointed in what
she said is an assumption
among some staff that her
daughter couldn’t under-
stand language.
“The problem is, if we as-
sume there’s no cognitive
ability or low cognitive abili-
ty, and we are not giving
them information, we aren’t
giving them the ability to
show what they might be
able to do,” she said.
Marsh said, even though
her IEP designated her as
hearing and visually im-
paired, when she would visit
unannounced, she would
find Elise in the back of class-
rooms where it’s less likely
she could hear or see.
According to Marsh, Elise
can understand language
and does know how to com-
municate. She said her
nursing staff can attest to
that, and so can a speech
therapist who works with
Elise.
“She’s (the speech thera-
pist) the best in the North-
west at working with chil-
dren like Elise,” Marsh said.
“In her professional opinion,
she also believes Elise is un-
derstanding language and is
communicating.”
Marsh said she’s provided
the district with the thera-
pist’s reports, and some staff
members have attended
Elise’s sessions, but that
hasn’t made a difference.
Staff turnover
The people working with
Elise has changed in recent
years, which hampered her
ability to advance because
the new people had to learn
to work with her, Marsh said.
“Elise is waiting from them
to catch up to where she al-
ready was,” Marsh said. “She
essentially hasn’t had any
progression for, I think, three
years at this point, maybe
more.”
She said the district also
struggled with finding back-
ups when her regular nurse
was unavailable. That result-
ed in Elise staying home
from school.
Noor said while the district
has a responsibility to find a
backup, finding people qual-
ified can be difficult.
“It’s hard to find a nurse to
work on an occasional basis,”
Noor said. “There are agen-
cies that have them, but it’s
very difficult find somebody
to substitute for nurses.”
Trust erodes
Marsh said the situation
degraded quickly once Elise
began fourth grade. Evidence
presented during the hearing
from email conversations be-
tween staff members has
only eroded trust further.
In one case, Elise’s nurse
was advised by her supervi-
sor to document, but not tell
Marsh, when some of Elise’s
medication was missing
from her supplies. Marsh
said some of Elise’s medica-
tion could be lifesaving, and
a “safety plan” was put in
place to make sure she has
what she needs.
In addition, she believes
her daughter has suffered ed-
ucationally and emotionally
in the last three years.
“I didn’t know it was this
bad, and as a mother, I feel
terrible making my child go
to school there for as long as
I did,” she said. “I should
have pulled her out a long
time ago because she’s suf-
fered.
“My child used to love
going to school,” she contin-
ued. “When she was in ele-
mentary school, she would
wake up without an alarm
and (was) laughing and gig-
gling when the (wheel) chair
lift went up on the bus. She
would stick her legs out and
giggle and squeal because
she was so excited.”
Elise attended a few days
last year and hasn’t gone to
school yet this year.
“She is at home because
school is not prepared for
her, and I don’t feel comfort-
able sending her to the
building at this time,” Marsh
said.
Elise is receiving one hour
of tutoring per day. Marsh
has requested more. Wiscar-
son said school districts limit
tutoring to one hour because
that is all the state will pay
for. There’s no law that dic-
tates how much time a stu-
dent can be tutored, she said.
Noor said that’s her read-
ing of the law, as well.
“There’s a practice for a lot
of schools that are doing tu-
toring to do tutoring for an
hour at a time,” she said.
“There’s no requirement
around the length of tutoring.
In a situation where it’s spe-
cially designed instruction, it
should really be something
that is related to the student’s
ability to attend.”
Noor said over the years,
the district has worked to
pair Elise with staff mem-
bers who know her and are
familiar with Elise and her
needs.
“This is one of those cases
that the issues are so com-
plex for this particular stu-
dent. It’s unfortunate that we
are in a due process,” Noor
said. “It’s also I think it’s sign
of how different the under-
standing of what those needs
are between the family and
the district.”
Marsh said she isn’t sure if
she will keep Elise in the dis-
trict. She would like the re-
sult of the case to be that
Elise can return to school
with her peers, but isn’t sure
that is possible.
“I don’t know that even if
we get everything that we ask
for, if that is possible,” she
said. “When you get into a
situation when things get
this far, relationships are
damaged. People don’t trust
each other on both sides,
and the child suffers.”
P OLK C OUNTY W ORSHIP D IRECTORY
DALLAS
Bahá’í Faith - "Building a Better World." "Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one
with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship." - Bahá’u’lláh. All are warmly
invited to a presentation and discussion on the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh and the Báb on September 23 at 2:00 at
the Monmouth Public Library (168 Ecols Street South). For details contact 971-804-5943 or 503-269-3333. More
about the Bahá’í Faith: www.bahai.org or www.bahaisofsalem.org
Calvary Chapel Dallas Currently meeting for worship and verse by verse Bible teaching at 628 SE Jefferson St.
www.calvarydallasor.com Worship service begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday. Sunday school is available from youth
ministry and below to nursery. Wednesday evening cafe-style Old Testament study starting at 6:30 pm. Come
join us for a relaxed study around a cup of coffee or drink. Mens prayer is Saturday at 7:30 a.m. Womens Bible
studies are scheduled also, call for times. The Pastor/Teacher is Larry King. Come join us and be a part of God's
family here in Dallas. For more information call 503-831-1074.
Church of God of Prophecy New Beginnings - 575 SW Ash St., (corner of Ash and Stump St.) Pastor Travis
Clemons, 541-671-0375. Bible Study School 10:00 a.m. Morning Worship 11:00 a.m. We welcome all to come
and get acquainted with our Pastor and his wife Christina. Home Bible Study 6:00 p.m. Sunday. Associate Pastor
Jim Dickason 503-302-9816.
Church of Christ - 691 N.E. Kings Valley Hwy. Sunday Class 9:30 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Sunday
Afternoon Service 2:00 p.m. Thursday evening Bible Study 7:00 p.m. We follow the New Testament Plan of
Salvation in becoming a Christian and the Pattern of the N. T. Church. We would be glad to study the Bible with
you and answer any of your questions. We would like to present a very helpful one hour overview of the Bible.
Call 503-831-4886.
Dallas Alliance Church - 775 E. Ellendale, Dallas, 503-623-2265, Email office@dallasalliance.org, Every
Sunday: classes for all ages at 9:15 a.m., Morning Worship at 10:30 a.m., (Nursery provided for a.m. services);
Tuesdays: Youth Night 7:00 p.m. in Ediger Hall; Wednesdays: Adult Prayer Meeting 1:00 p.m., Choir practice
6:45 p.m. Call for info on current Bible Studies. Web: dallasalliance.org.
Dallas Church - PO Box 462, Dallas, OR 97338, 503-623-2711. Worship Gatherings: Sundays 10am. Meeting
at 450 SE Washington St., Dallas OR 97338. Atmosphere is relaxed, families and children welcome, come as
you are, current music & relevant teaching about Jesus. Pastor: Ben Bauman. www.dallaschurch.org
Dallas Foursquare Church - Located at 976 SW Hayter St. on the corner of Washington and Hayter. Worship
Service: Sundays at 10am. Youth Group: Sundays 6pm to 8pm. Pastor: Darrin Hausler. We are a multi-
generational church with a heart for our community. Our mission is to Love God and Love People to Extend His
Kingdom. For more info call us at 503-623-8277 or you can visit us online at dallasfour.com.
Dallas Presbyterian Church invites you: Warm, spirit-filled fellowship with traditional Sunday worship 10:30 am,
engaging discussion study groups, prayer "chain" and a loving spirit.—Adult Sunday School 9 am, men's
breakfasts Tuesdays at 7 am, women's groups, needle crafts group and Indoor Play Park (for children with
accompanying parent). Sensitivity to older adult accessibility and needs. 789 SW Levens, Dallas. 623-3397
dalpreschurch@gmail.com.
Evangelical Bible Church - 1175 S.E. Howe, Dallas 503-623-2331. Senior Pastor Jerry Franz, Visitation Pastor
Allan Wiebe. Sunday: Worship *8:00 a.m.; *10:45 a.m.; *6:00 p.m.; Sunday School 9:30 a.m.; High School Youth
Group 7:00 p.m.; Thursday: Jr. High Youth Group - 7:00 p.m.; 2nd & 4th Tuesday: MOPS *9:00 a.m.;
Wednesday: AWANA - 6:30 p.m.; Prayer Meeting & Bible Study 7:00 p.m.; Thursday: Bible Studies *9:00 a.m. &
*7:00 p.m. (women); Thursday Group Bible Study 2:00 p.m. *Nursery care provided.
Faith Evangelical Free Church - 2290 E. Ellendale Ave., Dallas, 503-623-8034; Lead Pastor Derek Olson,
Associate Pastor Ed Sutter, Worship Pastor Ted Kitzmiller, Youth Pastor Aaron Swank, Ministry of Children &
Family Debbie Davies. Sunday School 9:00 a.m.; Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m., Sunday High School Youth Group
6:30 p.m.; Wednesday Jr. High Youth Group 7:00 p.m. Please call or visit our website for information about other
meetings. www.faithfreechurch.org
First Baptist Church - 245 S.W. Church St., Dallas, 503-623-5189; www.gofbc.org; Church Office Hours:
Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 6:30 am - 11:30 am; Pastor Rick Bratton 503-551-9561; Sunday School 9:30 a.m.,
Worship 10:45 a.m., Wednesday Bible Study 6-7 p.m; Everyone Welcome!
First Christian Church - Joyfully Worshipping and Serving 1079 S.E. Jefferson Street, Dallas, 503-623-2569.
Pastor Darren Anderson. “Live Wire Worship” with Praise Team - 8:30 a.m., Adult, Youth & Children Sunday
School - 9:30 a.m., Morning Worship - 10:30 a.m. (Nursery provided), Men’s Bible Study - Thursday, 8:30 a.m.
Christian Women’s Fellowship - 2nd Tuesday, 1:00 pm (Sept through June). Please call church office for
information about other meetings.
Grace Community Church - 598 E. Ellendale Ave. PO Box 69, Dallas, 503-623-4961. Senior Pastor-Dave
Bertolini, Pastor of Worship & Discipleship-Ryan Bucher, Pastor of Student Ministries-Ben Potloff. Sunday
Worship: 1st Service-9:00 a.m. with Kids, Youth, & Adult Sunday School running concurrently. 2nd Worship
Service-10:45 a.m. with Kids Worship running concurrently. Nursery provided for 0 - 2 year olds during both
services. Office open Tuesday-Friday for office hours visit our website at www.graceindallas.org. All are welcome!
Living Hope City Church - 180 SE Mill St., Dallas. Family Worship 10:30 am. Equipping Center & Offices 186
SE Mill St., Dallas. For more information call 503-623-6890.www.livinghopecitychurch.org
Living Word Faith Fellowship - 830 SE Shelton Street, Dallas, 503-623-9062. Pastor Joan Siewert. Sunday
Worship 10:00 a.m. Wednesday Worship 7:00 p.m. Children's Sunday service 10:00 a.m., nursery provided.
Men’s fellowship second Saturday of month breakfast at 8:00 a.m. at Murphy’s Restaurant, Dallas. Pastor
Michael Van Dyke in charge of men's fellowship. Call for additional information.
Salt Creek Baptist Church - 15075 Salt Creek Road, Dallas, 503-623-2976. Senior pastor David Curtis.
Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Sunday morning Worship 10:50 a.m. Nursery provided for worship services. Classes
for all ages. Wednesday Senior High and Middle School Youth at 6:30 p.m. Please call for information about
other meetings or visit our website at www.saltcreekchurch.org.
Seventh-Day Adventist Church - 589 SW Birch, P.O. Box 450, Dallas 97338-0450. 503-623-5872. Services on
Saturday: 9:30 A.M. Sabbath School Bible Study for all age groups. 10:50 A.M. Worship Service. Office Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 9 - Noon. Pastor: Lary Brown
St. Thomas Episcopal Church – 1486 SW Levens St., Dallas (at the corner of Levens & Cherry) 503-623-8522.
Email: stthomasdallasor@ gmail.com www.stthomasdallasor.org 10 AM worship with Holy Eucharist. Father Fred
Heard. Sunday School and Nursery Care available during worship. The church has formally adopted a policy of
welcoming and fully affirming individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). The new policy
formalizes and expands on the church’s longstanding tradition of radical hospitality towards all people regardless
of race or ethnicity, marital status, disability or socio-economic status. St. Thomas Welcomes you—please join us.
Trinity Lutheran Church - 320 SE Fir Villa Rd, Dallas, 503-623-2233. Interim Pastor - Jim Nestingen. Adult
Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Worship Service 10:00 a.m.; Kids Church during 10:00 a.m. Worship. Youth Group
HS/MS 11:30 a.m. Sundays. Wednesday evening Contemporary Service 6:30 pm. Free Medical Clinic 1st & 4th
Saturday of each month. www.dallastlc.org. Catch us on Facebook.
United Methodist Church – A church with Open Hearts, Open Minds & Open Doors. 565 SE LaCreole Drive,
Dallas, 503-623-2481. Rev. J. Quinton Kimbrow, Minister. Summer Worship Service 10 a.m. Sunday School for
Adults & Youth, 9:30 a.m. Sunday School for Children during worship service. Child-care available. Handicap
access. All are welcome! Email: dallasumc@qwestoffice.net Website: www.sites.umcdallas.com
Valley Life Center (Assemblies of God) - 1795 S.E. Miller Ave., Dallas, 503-623-4116. Lead Pastor: Chris
Barker; Associate Pastor: Ted Gibson; Children’s Director: Crystal Barker; Youth Director: Kirk Bathke. Sunday
Morning Service 10:30 a.m., Wednesday Family Night 6:30 p.m. Please call for more information or visit our
website at www.valleylifecenter.com
FALLS CITY
Falls City Christian Church 233 S. Main Street, Falls City, Oregon 97344, 503-787-3104 Sunday Service: 10
am; www.falls citycc.com
Seventh-Day Adventist Church - 205 N. Main, Falls City 97344, 503-787-3907. Pastor Lary Brown. Sabbath
School Sat. 9:30 am-10:40 am; Worship Service 11 am. Community Service Center (Food Bank) third Wed. of
each month, noon - 3pm.
INDEPENDENCE
Buena Vista Community Church - 11355 Church St., Buena Vista. Independence. Pastor Larry Lyon. Morning
Worship 10:00 a.m.
Cornerstone Church of God - 4395 Independence Hwy, Independence, 503-838-5119. Sunday Service and
Children’s Church 9:30 a.m. Nursery available. Wednesday Kids Klubs 6:30 p.m.. Thursday Adult Bible Study
6:30 p.m.
First Baptist Church - A warm, friendly church that cares about you! Located at 1505 Monmouth St.,
Independence (across from Central High School); 503-838-1001. Senior Pastor Michael Parks. Sundays:
Worship Service 11 am Wednesdays: AWANA 7 pm (during the school year). Thursdays: Youth Group 6:15pm.
Join us for small groups and life groups throughout the week. First Baptist Church has ministries for children,
youth, adults, families and seniors, throughout the week. Check us out at www.independencefirstbaptist.com
St. Patrick Parish, Catholic - 1275 E. St., Independence, 503-838-1242. Father Francisco Bringuela. Saturday
Masses: 5 pm English Vigil & 7pm Spanish. Sunday Masses: 9 am English & 11:30 am Spanish. Daily Masses:
Monday 9:30 am Communion Service. 9 am Tuesday and Thursday Spanish, Wednesday and Friday English.
Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturday 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm or by appointment. Faith Formation: Monday 6:45 pm -
8:15 pm Middle & High School. Tue: 6:45 pm-8:15 pm. Grades 1-4. Youth Group Thur. 6:30 pm. WOU Campus
Ministry: Mass Sunday 5 pm at 315 Knox St., Monmouth. Tuesday 7 pm Fellowship.
MONMOUTH
Ash Creek Bible Church - 1483 N 16th, Monmouth, OR 97361. Located at corner of 16th and Hoffman Rd.
Pastor/Teacher is Doug Burch. Sunday Worship 10:45 a.m. Family AWANA. A conservative Baptist church. Our
goal is to glorify God by growing together in Christ’s likeness. www.ashcreekbible.wordpress.com
Christ The King Christian Church - Meets at 959 Church St. W., Monmouth 7:00 pm Saturday Night. Christ
The King Christian Church is a conservative, contemporary, charismatic Biblical Church. At Christ the King we
learn: the truths of the Bible, how to live Biblical truths, how to please God, and how to be a blessing to all
people. Come and join us as we learn and grow together. Everyone is welcome. Wally Wildman, senior pastor.
For more information call 503-623-2262. www.ctkmonmouth.com
Christ’s Church Methodist & Presbyterian United - Come care and share with us. 412 Clay St. W, Monmouth,
503-838-1724. Pastor Rebecca Strader. Worship Service 11 a.m. Call for information on small groups.
Church of Christ - 127 N. Heffley St., Monmouth, 503-838-2360. Minister - Jon Siegrist. Sunday School 9:45
a.m., Worship Service 10:45 a.m., Wednesday Service 7 p.m.
Faith Lutheran Church – 200 Monmouth-Independence Hwy., Monmouth (the church with the lighted cross on
the “S” curve). School Year Schedule: Sunday School and Adult Bible Classes 9:00 am; Divine Service of Holy
Communion 10:30 am. Pastor Dallas C.R. Dubke. www.FaithLutheranMonmouth.org; 503-838-3459. Everyone
is welcome!
Monmouth Christian Church - (503) 838-1145; www.MyMcc.cc. 959 Church St W, Monmouth. Lead Pastor:
Sean Bitzer. Pastors: Ulysses Vela, Aaron Barnhart & Mary Weinbender. Two Sunday Services; 9:20 am and
11:00 am. Children Programming from birth to 5th grades every Sunday. Questions? email info@mymcc.cc.
Join us this Sunday in person or LIVE online at www.mymcc.cc.
New LIFE Ministries – we’re growing in Polk County! CHILDREN'S CHURCH NOW AVAILABLE! We are a
God-loving, Bible-believing, non-denominational church body. This church is a little different, in that it’s not just a
church service, but is all about being a “service church”. We strive to seek out and serve the needs of the
community. It is our hope that God will use us to make a difference. Come join us! We meet at Henry Hill School
750 S. 5th St. in Independence every Sunday morning at 10:00-11:00 am. Our minister is Marion Seick. Feel
free to call us at (503) 871-5207. Please come visit and worship with us this Sunday!"
Praise Assembly 189 Monmouth Ave S., Monmouth (locations in McMinnville and Willamina as well). Our
English worship gathering is 11 am on Sundays, followed by a Spanish service at 2 pm. Kid’s church available
for 12 and under. Youth group meets at 9:30 Sunday morning. Other ministries include: Celebrate Recovery
(Tues, 7 pm), College Bible study (Wed, 7 pm), and Spanish Bible study (Thurs, 7 pm). Please check our
website for the most up-to-date information, www.praiseonline.net, or call 503-837-0300.
St. Hilda's Episcopal Church 245 Main St. W., Monmouth, 503-838-6087, sthildas church.org Sunday
Eucharist - 10:00 am followed by Fellowship. Children's Sunday School & Adult Bible Study 9:00 am.
Wednesday Worship at 8:00 am and 7:00 pm. Nursery care provided. Call for periodic small groups and
celebrations. All are welcome!