Westwood SEPAC Metting Minutes
October 02, 2007

Welcome
Officers Reports: None
Liaison Report: Presented by Louise Haughn:
      High School Liaison still needed – time commitment not excessive -- makes contacts to list events in school related publications; may communicate with PTO; deliver flyers; and generally funnels information to/from SEPAC group.

Follow up to the by-laws change that was proposed last month for the purpose of being consistent with special education regulations.
A motion made to vote on a change to the voting privileges

From:   “Voting privileges are afforded to members of SEPAC who are parents or guardians of a child or children on an IEP or 504 plan through the Westwood Public Schools.”

To:   “Voting privileges are afforded to members of SEPAC who are parents or guardians of a child or children on an IEP through the Westwood Public Schools.” (Leaving out the words 504 plan.)

Discussion on the Motion:

Parent: Stated wanting all members to have voting privileges.

Board: Clarification given by chairperson that that the vote is not intended to exclude any parents, but was designed upon request by the district, given that 504 plans do not fall under “special education”.

Parent: Backed other parent, stating that a child on a 504 plan may have a life-long disability, while a student’s IEP might only be temporary.

Parent: SEPAC’s Mission Statement clearly states that SEPAC is an advocacy group for all children with disabilities and therefore, in remaining consistent with the mission, should allow parents/guardians with a child on a 504 plan to vote.

Parent: Does not want to exclude anyone. Today every member with a child on an IEP or 504 can vote….does not want to take away a privilege. Agreed with need to keep by-laws consistent with the mission statement.

Audrey Seyffert (Dir. Student Services): Offered that there may be other ways to be consistent with the mission while eliminating the words 504 plan from the by-laws. Example - use language such “parent/guardian of a child with a disability that is an active member of SEPAC.”

Parent: Commented that “disability is a vague term….as the disability must be an “eligible disability” by special education law.

Board treasurer clarified that a vote can be taken and, if the change is rejected, further discussion and proposals for alternative wordings may be suggested at a later date.

Parent: Asked for clarification regarding how tonight’s vote came to be.

Board chair pointed out that the current wording was originally approved by the former Director of Student Services and school lawyers, but it was since recommended that the language be changed.

By-Law change put to a Vote:
YES – None
No – Majority/Unanimous - No change to the Current By-Laws

The topic may be reopened at any time…if you wish to discuss this further or reword the by-laws (i.e. to include all children with disabilities without naming 504 plans specifically within the by-laws) contact Pam to be placed on a future agenda.

Recommendation made to clearly communicate result of this vote to those not present tonight so that parents know their voting rights. Will be stated along with minutes to this meeting.

Pam showed appreciation for the great discussion and expressed that she is pleased that the group came to a consensus that the majority are happy with.

Fundraiser update (presented by Tracey Stoll) – Photography
Photographers from “Images for Kids” and its independent company, “Real Life Arts Photography” are offering their services for photo sittings.
For a donation of between $20 - $30 to SEPAC, a family can have a 15-minute sitting with the photographer. (Usually sitting fees are $125.) Ideal for planning holiday cards and gifts. Donors will be given a code for ordering cropped/refinished photos and holiday cards at discounted prices.
Proceeds: To support the SEPAC Scholarship fund.
Specifics: Date – Nov. 17 and possibly Nov. 18, if sign-up numbers warrant a second day.
Place: SNARC donated space – waiting room, conference room for taking photos and kitchen.
Volunteers needed to advertise, to help organize check-in, for setup and cleanup, for refreshments, and to donate items for gift baskets of toys to be raffled.
Photographers specialize in children (have done the Westwood children with Santa photos).

Carmel Sterling announced that the SEPAC Website is now LIVE!!
Visit www.westwoodsepac.org for local state and federal resources.
Special thanks to Carmel for organizing content and communicating regularly with developers and to Anu and Prashanth Palakurthi for donating start up costs and 5 years of maintenance fees.

Meeting turned over to Ginny Brennan from the Federation for Children with Special Needs for a presentation on Basic Rights.
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