HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-04-11 Speical Education Parent Advisory Council Minutes- ByLaw SubcommitteeReading Parent Advisory Council — By -Law Subcommittee
Meeting
April 11, 2013 7:15 pm to 9 :35 Pm.
Town Hall, Berger Room
Subcommittee Officers present: Michelle Grasso, Nicole O'Neill,
Melissa Pucci and Michele Sanphy
Subcommittee Officers absent: Whitney Crane, Jennifer Killeen, Terri
Teixeira
Discussion about Article 1- keeping the name PAC
Article 2 discussion. Referred to the Wilmington, Framingham and
Waltham SEPAC mission statements.
Agreed to include purpose of Framingham and Waltham in Reading PAC
by-law rough draft.
1. Advising the school district on matters that pertain to the education
and safety of students with disabilities.
2. Meeting regularly with school officials
3. Participating in the development, and evaluation of the school
district's special education programs.
Discussed that mission statement would be shared with PAC council for
review. No time frame was determined.
i. Promote a network of parents of children with special needs and provide
a forum to share information and discuss matters of concern and interest
for children with special needs.
2. Advise the Reading School Committee on matters that pertain to the
education and safety of students with disabilities.
3. Meet regularly with school officials to collaborate on the the planning,
development, and evaluation of the district's special education programs.
4. Promote a support network of parents of children with special needs, and
provide educational /informational forums to parents, educators, students
and professionals.
Discussed including " support and promote equal educational opportunities
for all special needs children" . Not sure where.
Article 3 discussion.
General membership shall be open to any Reading, MA. resident or persons
affiliated with Reading Public Schools and students not less than 14 years of
age.
Further explore Waltham's non-commercial, non - sectarian part.
Discussed the MASSPAC Coordinator offered to look over the rough draft
of the by -laws and need the council to have input as well once sub-
committee has completed the rough draft.
Discussed taking out wording " who has attended at least one meeting of
the Reading Special Education parent Advisory Council during the past 12
months or has requested voting status in writing to the Secretary at least
one month prior to ".
Not sure as to whether general membership will include voting
membership or if they need to be defined separately in the by -laws.
Ask MASSPAC Coordinator about Art V section( d) of Waltham's by -laws.
Discussed the possibility of emailing the council the mission to get
thoughts /feedback. No time frame was determined.
Discussed extending officer terms to Nov ist. Referred to by -laws about if
we have a quorum and it was voted unanimously.
Discussed the need to get minutes from past meetings voted on and filed at
Town Hall at April 24th business meeting following presentation. No
minutes have been filed at Town Hall at this time because of the quorum
challenge.
Discussed that officers should have the option to determine if they can
commit more time to the PAC if terms are extended. No officer including
those elected by special election knew the length of their term when elected
because of the non - specific language of the current by -laws.
Submitted by:
Michele Sanphy
Acting Secretary