Concerned that the Lebanon Community School District is not doing all it should for special needs children, a committee led by a special education teacher has formed to start a special education charter school in Lebanon.

To determine public support for the &#8220Treasured Hearts Charter School," the committee is holding a public meeting at the Lebanon 100F building, 20 E. Ash St. on Aug. 2 from 7 to 9 p.m.

&#8220There's an absolute need for this in the district," said Anna Keenan, who, along with former Cascades Elementary School special education teacher Carolyn Hanscom; Hanscom's assistant at Cascade, Julie Bush; and Alette Nelson formed the charter school committee in April.

Hanscom, who serves as administrator, said they hope to have a charter approved by January 2008, with the idea of offering classes shortly thereafter.

Hanscom resigned from Cascades after teaching the special education class, &#8220Communication Classroom," for two years.

&#8220There was so little support from the district for special needs kids," Hanscom said in citing her decision to leave Cascades and form a charter school.

In May, Hanscom was one of four people given a Ford Coach of the Year award sponsored by Skyline Ford and the Portland Trailblazers basketball team.

Keenan nominated Hanscom for the award after her son, Oren Martin, 9, attended Hanscom's class.

&#8220No other teacher has ever worked with my son the way she has," Keenan said.

Hanscom said a number of parents have approached her about starting the charter school because they don't feel like their children are successful in the district's schools.

&#8220We're so wrapped in standardization, kids aren't treated as individuals," Hanscom said.

Hanscom said she practices multisensory-based teaching to &#8220teach the child as whole, their social, academic, vocational and academic needs." Multisensory training involves different hands on activities, &#8220because these kids don't learn by pencil and paper," Hanscom said.

Information on rights of parents of special needs children will be presented at the Aug. 2 meeting, Keenan said.

For more information on Treasured Hearts, call Keenan at 791-3235 or e-mail Hanscom at csnurgle@centurytel.net.