2017-10-16 School Committee Minutes

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Student Representative Mr. Cutone reported on the upcoming fall musical Pippen and that seniors have started the college application process. Liaison's Report Mrs. Webb updated the committee on the recent RCASA Annual Meeting. She shared that both speakers, DA Marian Ryan and Dr. Potee emphasized the need to educate our kids regarding substance abuse. Mrs. Webb feels that it is vital to spread the message and educate our kids on the effects of substance use and abuse. Dr. Snow Dockser Liaison Report: "The SEPAC met on Oct 4th. There were discussions of the new sped software and records management; the last SC meeting's discussion of the CRV and the rationale for a group within the SEPAC to work with Carolyn to research and improve the implementation of IEPs and programs for Special Ed. Special requests were voiced to ensure that this work focused not only in one school, but across the district. Mrs. Wilson gave an update on staffing and difficulties with hiring qualified teachers and the changes in FTEs being made to improve successful hiring. We discussed upcoming PD, speakers, parent university, and Alan Blume work with teachers on IEP writing. Parents encouraged Mrs. Wilson to follow up with parents who have left the program to learn about personal stories. There was a discussion on space challenges and the election of a new board was held. Thank you to Sarah Scaffidi, Teresa Teixeira, Sarah McLaughlin, and Julie Wall for stepping up to lead the SEPAC and to the outgoing board members who have done so much to revive the SEPAC. Also discussed were ways to increase survey responses and the tools already implemented to encourage response such as the link to the team chair and Mrs. Wilson's signature. SEPAC also unveiled their contact cards and decided to distribute'them to key parenting places around town as well as in all of the schools. " Director of Student Services Mrs. Wilson reported on the recent SEPAC meeting at which a new board was elected and the Open Meeting Laws were reviewed. Student Representative Cutone left the meeting at 7:03 p.m. The SEPAC met earlier this evening to review the roles of the board members. Mrs. Wilson updated the committee on the current vacancies including the search for a speech & language pathologist at the high school. The job has been posted four times and is now being advertised as a 1.0 FTE. The position was offered to two candidates, both of which declined. She is currently reaching out to staffing agencies and her professional organizations for recommendations of candidates. Currently we are using private speech & language pathologists in this position. All of the families affected have been notified of this vacancy. Page 1 2