HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-11-30-SEPAC-min Lexington Special Education Parent Advisory Council(SEPAL)
Lexington Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA)
Business Meeting Minutes
November 30,2017
Attendees: Robin Abrams, Bettina McGimsey, Mona Roy, Lisa O'Brien, Kathy Cunningham, Bonnie
Brodner, Bronte Abraham, Christina Patti,Jennifer Yaar
Called to order: 7:03 pm
Adjourned: 8:46 pm
• 9/12/17 Meeting Minutes approved
• Treasurer Update: As of October 30--$4481.81
• Action—Jenn Yaar to get room for April meeting
• Gifts for Central Admin—fruit basket—budget$80--100
• Membership update: membership is at 79 per Lauren Onorato.
• Calendar Review:
0 12/7/17: Basic Rights
0 1/4/18: Q&A with Ellen and Dr. C
0 2/7/18: Hallowell ADHD
0 3/15/18: Jessica Minahan
o Shut About Your Perfect Kids—moved to 2018-2019 school year
• 1/9/2018—next business meeting
• Dyslexia Update: Movie screening was a success. One significant point—need to recognize all
the strengths of the dyslexic brain, not just the deficits.
• Goal Driven IEP—David Stember—great presentation,well attended—maybe create an
audience summary?
• DLP—Consultant Report based on Review—Bronte's update
o DLP ends at 8t"grade—why?
o Dr. C agrees with the desire to have an action plan with priorities with impact on space
and resources by December 7
o No entrance/exit criteria—for DLP and ALL in-district programs
o Harrington space is not sufficient
o Aides need additional training
o Paras need to have more hours
• Carissa and Kathy met with Melissa at Rec Department—more inclusive programming
• Spring Resource Fair—need to confirm a date—probably a Saturday morning. Possibly April 7?
• Mona—Diamond PTA—Push for YES for LEX for LCP—put a blurb out to urge people to vote
• Community Coalition—reaching out to different community groups for SEPAC/SEPTA
• School Committee—DLP presentation complete
• Update from Mary Ann Stewart—voted to recommend circuit breaker to be funded to
reimburse up to 75%
• Superintendent Search Community—Mona has asked for a SPED parent representative
• HRC Survey on Discipline—draft survey completed as expected push back from LPS and Colby Brunt
but will move forward.
o Also, last year the LHRC requested that LPS start tracking hate crimes. This work has not
occurred. Per the AG, "Every student has the right to learn in an environment that is
free from violence, harassment, and discrimination, including that based on a person's
race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity,gender,gender identity, sexual
orientation, or disability." (see attached AG pdf) In 2005 the Safe School Initiative
recommended a sample civil rights policy"which sets forth rights and responsibilities of
school community members when harassment, discrimination, retaliation, repeated
bullying behavior, or hate crimes occur. For example, it requires mandatory reporting by
staff members whenever and however they become aware of potential violations."
o Has a civil rights policy been implemented by LPS? Are SEPAC and CoD satisfied with
LPS's work towards meeting the goals and intent of SSI and the Guide to Civil Rights in
Schools? If yes,great. If not, then there is a need to talk to the LHRC about the
implementation of the student discipline law(see attached superintendent's checklist)
and AG's civil rights in schools.
• Robin to be on Visioning Committee for High School—looking for suggestions. Bronte's
suggestion—what is the role of the 18-22 students in the new high school community?
• Bronte Abraham—Transition update