Exceptional Student Services

The purpose of the Department of Exceptional Student Services is to provide specialized instructional services, related services, and supplementary aids and services to students suspected of or identified as having disabilities. In compliance with state and federal regulations, these disabilities adversely affect educational performance and result in a need for special education and related services.

Notice: Destruction of Special Education Records

Dothan City Schools Special Education Department will destroy special education records of former students who graduated, completed their school program, transferred, or withdrew before the 2019-2020 school year.

Parents of minor children or former students that received special education services through Dothan City Schools who are at least 19 years old may request to review or obtain these records by contacting the Special Education Department by 06/22/2026. Under federal law, parental rights to access these records transfer to the student at age 19 unless the student has been deemed legally incompetent or incapacitated.

Special education records are retained for five years after a student exits the program, per state and federal guidelines. Unclaimed records will be destroyed after 06/23/2026. A written request for records may be sent to the contact below. Please include the student’s name, birth date, date of graduation or date last attended on the request. 

Amanda Liester
Exceptional Student Services Department

1665 Honeysuckle Road, Suite 1

Dothan, Alabama 36305

Telephone: (334) 793-1397

Please Note: Allow at least two weeks from the date of notification for the preparation of records. Anyone picking up the records will be required to present a government-issued photo ID before the records will be released or reviewed.