Hingham Public Schools Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Hingham Public Library

Whiton Room

7:00 pm- 9:00 pm

MEETING MINUTES

Beth Koyce, Janice Sullivan, Courtney Orwig, Ed Schreier, Liza Oreilly, Tricia Byrnes, Byrna Rogers, Kerry Ni, Katie Gaughen, Deb Carleton

The Meeting called to order at 7:04 PM. Minutes from the May 10th SEPAC meeting were approved. The financials remained the same at $8997.75.

Janice Sullivan agreed to be the SEPAC liaison to the High School.

PARENT SURVEY

To date, SEPAC received 416 survey responses:

· 99 IEP

· 26 504 plans

· 7 IEP and 504 plans

· 282 general ed

School liaisons were asked to post a link to the survey in their school newsletter. At the July SEPAC meeting, Katie Gaughen will bring the preliminary analysis. SEPAC will discuss the format of the final report. Members of the administration and School Committee Special Education Subcommittee will be invited to attend. Katie Gaughen will send an email to the members of the SEPAC Survey Committee to save-the-date for the July 12th SEPAC meeting.

It was noted that no Kindergarten parents had responded to the survey yet. Katie Gaughen will follow-up with Dr. Galo to ensure parents of Kindergarten students were on the X2 distribution list.

Jaime Kenney noted that she would like to design a survey specifically for out-of-district parents.

REVIEW DRAFT SEPAC/SCHOOL COMMITTEE/ADMINISTRATION WORKPLAN

The group reviewed the new program management tool and agreed that it was best to keep in simple and straightforward

UPDATE FROM SCHOOL COMMITTEE SPECIAL EDUCATION SUBMCOMMITTEE MEMBERS

The first Special Education Subcommittee meeting is scheduled for 6/27 at 7:00 PM. Liza O’Reilly is the chair of the subcommittee. Ed Schreier and Michelle Ayer also on subcommittee. Agenda items for the subcommittee will include the update regarding the Walker report from Dr. Galo, an update on the Special Education and Social Emotional Taskforces and reviewing long-range financial planning.

Dr. Galo will present the update on the Walker Report to the full School Committee on 7/17.

SEPAC will present the annual report to the School Committee on 7/17. SEPAC needs to submit report to Pam King on 7/12. School Committee will allot 15-20 minutes for the presentation.

SEPAC will present survey data first to the Special Education Subcommittee and then to the full School Committee.

SPECIAL EDUCATION TASK FORCE AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL TASK FORCE UPDATES

Kerry Ni reported on the progress of the Special Education Task Force. The Middle School and High School completed self-assessments, which were well thought out and impressive. Based on those self-assessments, the Task Force agreed to an outside evaluation of the Middle School program. Members of Middle School Task Force (Allison Janowitz, Evan Sheehan, Jamie LaBillois and Liz Kurlan) will meet over the summer and draft questions to be answered and the RFP. The Task Force also drafted a letter to Middle School teachers to make them aware of the evaluation. The RFP will go out over the summer and the full task force will review bids in the Fall. The evaluation should then begin in the Fall. SEPAC will share any relevant survey data with the independent evaluator.

Kerry reported that the last meeting was very productive and helped strengthen the relationship between teachers, parents and administration. The High School will be next to consider after they make the adjustment to the new principal.

Bryna Rogers provided an update on Social Emotional Task Force. There is a meeting scheduled for June 15, 2017 at 3:30 with Jennifer Green from Boston University. The meeting will focus on drafting a plan and reviewing survey questions for parents and children in grades 3-12. They had 100 volunteers for taskforce. Members were determined based on people’s backgrounds and expertise. Other people that came forward will be engaged as ambassadors to communicate message.

BYLAWS UPDATE

Liz Kurlan has sent bylaws to district council for review. Changes in the bylaws focus on broadening SEPAC membership. Hopefully, the bylaws will come to a vote at the next meeting.

INCREASING SEPAC INVOLVEMENT IN SCHOOL COUNCIL; PRESENCE ON HIRING COMMITTEES

A group of parents met with Richard Swanson on Friday, June 9th to discuss the vision for High School Assistant Principal position. Mr. Swanson was receptive to feedback and noted that a special education teacher is on the hiring committee.

Warren Pellisier, SNAP Director, will serve on Athletic Director hiring committee.

SEPAC is reaching out to schools individually around School Councils.

Liza O’Reilly advised SEPAC to talk directly with PTO presidents about school councils, as well as about identifying SEPAC liaisons.

ANNUAL TRAINING WORKSHOP ON RIGHTS OF STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS AND ADDITIONAL SPEAKER ENGAGEMENT IDEAS

Katie Gaughen will reach out to the Federation for Children with Special Needs regarding the Rights and Responsibilities presentation, with a target date for the first or second week in October. Katie will also reach out to Nicole Merhill to address rights and responsibilities regarding 504s. We will also invite Liz Kurlan to be on the panel to answer questions.