BMSS Co-op Monthly Newsletter
September 2020
An Introduction to BMSS
History and Governance:
- A special education co-op established in 1974
- Serving nine member school districts; 25 campuses, 3 private schools and 2 head starts
- Governed by a board of the nine superintendents (the Management Board)
- Students Served: approximately 750
To create a cooperative arrangement whereby the member districts may provide for the efficient delivery of legally required special education and related services to eligible students with disabilities.
Shared Personnel: 25 Employees and 5 Independent Contractors
- 1 Director of Special Education
- 1 Administrative Assistant
- 1 Data Management Clerk
- 2 Special Education Clerks
- 8 SpEd Coordinators: Educational Diagnosticians
- 1 SpEd Coordinator: Licensed Specialist in School Psychology
- 1 Behavior Specialist: Board Certified Behavior Analyst
- 1 Behavior Specialist: Registered Behavior Technician
- 7 Speech and Language Pathologists / Speech Therapists
- 1 Transition Specialist
- 1 Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired
- 1 Orientation and Mobility Specialist
- 1 Occupational Therapist
- 1 Occupational Therapist Assistant
- 1 Physical Therapist
- 1 Physical Therapist Assistant
Primary Responsibilities:
- Assessments to determine special education eligibility
- Admission, Review and Dismissal Committee meetings (ARDs)
- Compliance with federal and state laws
Fun Fact
COVID-19 Resources
TEA COVID-19 Support and Guidance: For all-things related to education processes impacted by COVID-19.
TEA Students with Disabilities Planning Support Guidebook: For specifics related to special education processes impacted by COVID-19. Please give specific attention to the importance of creating an Emergency Contingency Plan for each special education student. Your BMSS Special Education Coordinators can provide additional information on how this affects the ARDC process.
LEAs are encouraged to submit questions and concerns regarding processes impacted by COVID-19 to disasterinfo@tea.texas.gov . Guidance is created and updated based on LEA feedback.
The Texas Behavior Support Initiative and Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI)
Next CPI Trainings: September 10th (Initial) and September 11th (Refreshers)
For a 20-21 schedule of BMSS CPI trainings, please email cpi@bmssc.net.
Meet your CPI certified trainers...
Mara Duarte
Kristina Elliott
Misty Green
Staff Spotlight
Welcome new personnel!
Adrienne Henderson graduated from Yoe High School in 2002 and from the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor in 2006. Prior to joining BMSS, she taught for eight years in Cameron ISD and one year in Rosebud-Lott ISD. Married to fellow educator James for fifteen years, they have three beautiful children: Jesslynn and twins Josiah and Jordyn. She is currently attending Lamar University to pursue her Master of Education in Special Education Degree with an Educational Diagnostician Certification. For the 20-21 school year, she is assigned to Snook and Somerville ISDs.
Shelley Kopriva graduated from Yoe High School in 2002 and from Texas A&M University in 2006. Prior to joining BMSS, she worked for six years at the Texas A&M Health Science Center and taught for eight years in Cameron ISD. Married to fellow educator Brian for twelve years, they have three daughters: Claire, Kate and Paige. She is currently attending Lamar University to pursue her Master of Education in Special Education Degree with an Educational Diagnostician Certification. For the 20-21 school year, she is assigned to Cameron Ben Milam Elementary, Cameron Elementary and Cameron Junior High.
Adrienne Henderson
Shelley Kopriva
Contact Information
400 E. Park St.
Milano, Texas 76556
512-455-7801
bmssc.net