HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-09-14 Speical Education Parent Advisory Council MinutesTown of Reading
Meeting Minutes
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Board - Committee -, Commission - Council:
2018 JAN .22 ; P` 2_31'� 1
Time: 7:00 PM'
Location: Superintendent Conference Room
Parent Advisory Council
Date: 2017,09-14
'Building: School - Memorial High
Address: 62 Oakland Road
Purpose: Business Meeting
Attendees: Members -Present:
Alicia Williams
Kate Goldlust
Terri Teixeira
Members - Not Present:
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Session: Open Session
Others Present:
Carolyn Wilson, Director of Student Services
Linda Snow Dockser, School Committee Liaison .
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Terri Teixeira
Topics of Discussion:
1.' Call to Order: Alicia Williams called the meeting to order.
2. Public Comment: None.
3. Update from Director of Student Services:
a. Staff Member Introduction: Carolyn Wilson introduced team chairs Kelley
Bostwick (RISE Director), Kelly DiCato (Barrows & Killam), Amy Benjamin (Joshua
.Eaton), Alison Ray (Parker), and Melissa Forbes (RMHS grades 10 and 12); Lisa
Studer (BCBA); and Lisa Marie Ippolito (new Principal at Joshua Eaton). Several
SPED program teachers and a therapist were also present, including Caroline
Gouchet (Bridge program) and Anne Korwan (OT Barrows & Joshua Eaton).
b. Vacancies: Some vacancies remain which Ms. Wilson still hopes to fill, including:
i. Team chair at Wood End and Birch Meadow: Until this position is filled,.
Karin Rando will be serving as interim team chair at Birch Meadow (with
a contractor helping to provide OT), and Jane Finger will serve as interim
team chair at Wood End.
ii. A:0.5 BCBA position is still open. Ms. Wilson hopes to make an offer for
this position soon.
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iii. Behavioral Health Coach: This will be filled on October 2"d by Lauren
Sebella (former RMHS grad).
iv. High School Psychologist (Testing): Testing will be conducted.by an
agency until this position is filled.
V. Speech Pathologist/RMHS: The town may contract with someone to
provide some services. Compensatory services will:be offered in some.
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cases.
c. I Mid -Cycle Review: Ms. Wilson will be presenting the final report to School
Committee on 9/25. Results are also on the DESE website.
d. Professional Development: Professional development funds were cut this year
due to budgetary constraints. Therefore, professional development this year will
be based on grant funding and therefore limited in. scope. Funds from an IDEA
grant will be directed at Joshua Eaton. More information on other PD.will be
provided once grant funding has been received.
e. International Dyslexia Association Membership: Ms. Wilson belongs.to this
organization personally, but asked parents if there is interest in joining as a
public school/institution, so that both the district and parents could benefit.
Overall, parents appeared interested.
f. IEP Survey Results: Ms: Wilson presented results of a survey of parents on the
IEP process. Only ten parents participated,in the survey'last year, which limits
the usefulness of the information. The group discussed ways of increasing
parent participation.
4. Old Business:.
a. Meeting Minutes: The minutes for the 4-3-17 meeting were reviewed.
Alicia Williams moved to approve the 4-3-17 SEPAC meeting
minutes. T. Teixeira seconded.
b. Proposed Changes to Bylaws: Proposed changes to the�bylaws were.reviewed
and will be voted upon at the next meeting on -10/4. Members discussed:the .
idea of recommending that the School Committee regularly rotate its liaison to
the SEPAC for the purpose of increasing awareness of SEPAC issues among
School Committee members.
c. Upcoming Schedule: Some workshops are still TBD. Definite dates include:
Oct. 4:
Elections and Business Meeting
Oct. 11:
Basic Rights Workshop
Oct. 26:
An IEP for My Child Workshop
Nov. 14:
Presentation by Lisa Studer, BCBA
Mar: 30:
Presentation by Sarah Ward on Executive Functioning
5. New Business:
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a. Elections: Will be held next month on Oct 4.. Katarina Papp will serve as; Election
Coordinator. Parents who wish to nominate someone are asked to email her at
sepacelections2017@gmaii.com.
b. SEPAC Presentation to School Committee:
In the interests of saving time, Alicia Williams moved to meet off-line
to discuss -presentation topics to the School Committee. T. Teixeira
seconded.
c. Public Outreach: Ways to increase awareness and participation were discussed
including: offering potential babysitting services and allowing members to attend
via technology (i.e., conference call, GotoMeeting, Google Hangout). Laura
Gemme will be consulted regarding legal issues.
d. "Linked Up" Program: Alicia Williams presented.a potential program idea to help
parents new to special education connect with more experienced parents.
e. Welcome Packet: A potential welcome packet of useful special education
information has been compiled for parents new to special education.
A. Williams moved to adjourn. Seconded by K. Goldlust.
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