The Hood River County School District (HRCSD) Board of Education appointed Kelly Beard as director of special education on Wednesday, July 13, in its meeting.

As the director of special education, Beard will work as part of the student services department, focusing on the administration of the school district’s special education program. He will coordinate student placements in programs, provide direct support to students, staff and families, and coordinate the school district program for students between kindergarten through high school completion and articulate services between the schools and  agencies. 

The student services department is led by director Anne Carloss. Along with special education services, the student services department manages the following areas: 

• School counseling services
• School nursing program
• Behavioral and physical health services
• Student discipline
• Multi-tiered support systems (MTSS)

MTSS includes Response to Intervention and Instruction (RTII) and Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS), Early Learning and Early Childhood Special Education, Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programs, and crisis response. Student services programs are designed to provide students with additional support so they can meet high learning standards, graduate, successfully pursue their postsecondary goals, and become contributing members of the community. 

Beard has been a part of the school district for 25 years, beginning as a teacher on special assignment in special education at Hood River Valley High School (HRVHS). He has been a part of the school administration at HRCSD for the past 17 years, most recently serving as the assistant principal of HRVHS. Beard earned a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Oregon. He earned an Elementary Teaching Certification, Basic Handicapped Learners Endorsement, and Master of Education degree from the University of Portland. Beard earned a Standard Handicapped Learners Endorsement and Continuing Administrator License from Portland State University. His professional career has included various positions directly supporting education in the Hood River community for the past three decades, giving Beard a diverse perspective on continuing to serve and support Hood River County students, families, and staff.