HINGHAM SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (SEPAC)
Hingham Public Schools
Tuesday, May 12, 2015, 10:00 a.m.
Fearing Room, Hingham Public Library, Hingham, MA 02043
Meeting Agenda
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Monthly Meeting to discuss SEPAC business
Audience comments are always welcome as agenda items are discussed.
1. Acceptance of Minutes from April 13, 2015
2. General Q&A for items that may not be on the agenda
3. Sharing with Director of Student Services
4. Sharing with School Committee Liaison
5. Sharing with PTO Liaisons
6. Treasury Report
7. Business
8. Communications/General Inquiries
9. Other Items as may not reasonably be known within 48 hours of the meeting
10. Announcements & Adjournment:
a. Next and final SEPAC meeting for the 2014-2015 school year will be on Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Meeting Minutes
Present: Marisa Ronan, Chairperson; South Liaison Kerry Ni; East Liaison Holly Pilotte; Director of Student Services Liz Flynn; and School Committee Liaisons Ed Schreier and Liza O’Reilly
The meeting was called to order at approximately 10:15 a.m.
The minutes from April 13, 2015 were accepted.
Director of Student Services: The School Dept. has been working to finish up the educator evaluation system. This summer’s ESY program is being finalized. The annual Circuit Breaker process is moving forward; the application deadline is early July.
School Committee Liaison: Liza O’Reilly reported that the SC met last night. There was discussion regarding how to itemize the school budget. There are no changes to the special education budget.
It is estimated that 268 students are fully enrolled in the new FDK. There will be 15 FDK classrooms across the four elementary schools with the possibility of a 16th classroom being added at one school. Only four families have requested the half-day program. The more need intensive students will be concentrated in classrooms with dual-certified teachers (regular ed and special ed). There will be at least one dual-certified teacher at each elementary school.
The SC elected new officers: Andy Shafter, Chairman; Liza O’Reilly, Vice-Chairman; Aylene Calnan, Secretary. New subcommittees have not yet been determined.
PTO Liaisons:
East Elementary: Holly noted that East is getting some new playground items, such as picnic tables and chess table(s)
South Elementary: Kerry noted that South is also getting chess table(s) for its playground
HHS: Donna Keaney noted that Frank Jackson, who is filling in for Nicole Piantes during her maternity leave (she will return to her position in September), has been very proactive and effective to date. The possibility of asking Mr. Jackson if he would be interested/available to work during the ESY was discussed.
Treasury Report: SEPAC has $10,412.39.
New/Old Business: It was announced that there would be an informal informational meeting on Thursday, May 21, at the Hingham Public Library with regard to filling open SEPAC board positions.
Communications/General Inquiries: None.
The meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.
Hingham Public Schools
Tuesday, May 12, 2015, 10:00 a.m.
Fearing Room, Hingham Public Library, Hingham, MA 02043
Meeting Agenda
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Monthly Meeting to discuss SEPAC business
Audience comments are always welcome as agenda items are discussed.
1. Acceptance of Minutes from April 13, 2015
2. General Q&A for items that may not be on the agenda
3. Sharing with Director of Student Services
4. Sharing with School Committee Liaison
5. Sharing with PTO Liaisons
6. Treasury Report
7. Business
8. Communications/General Inquiries
9. Other Items as may not reasonably be known within 48 hours of the meeting
10. Announcements & Adjournment:
a. Next and final SEPAC meeting for the 2014-2015 school year will be on Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Meeting Minutes
Present: Marisa Ronan, Chairperson; South Liaison Kerry Ni; East Liaison Holly Pilotte; Director of Student Services Liz Flynn; and School Committee Liaisons Ed Schreier and Liza O’Reilly
The meeting was called to order at approximately 10:15 a.m.
The minutes from April 13, 2015 were accepted.
Director of Student Services: The School Dept. has been working to finish up the educator evaluation system. This summer’s ESY program is being finalized. The annual Circuit Breaker process is moving forward; the application deadline is early July.
School Committee Liaison: Liza O’Reilly reported that the SC met last night. There was discussion regarding how to itemize the school budget. There are no changes to the special education budget.
It is estimated that 268 students are fully enrolled in the new FDK. There will be 15 FDK classrooms across the four elementary schools with the possibility of a 16th classroom being added at one school. Only four families have requested the half-day program. The more need intensive students will be concentrated in classrooms with dual-certified teachers (regular ed and special ed). There will be at least one dual-certified teacher at each elementary school.
The SC elected new officers: Andy Shafter, Chairman; Liza O’Reilly, Vice-Chairman; Aylene Calnan, Secretary. New subcommittees have not yet been determined.
PTO Liaisons:
East Elementary: Holly noted that East is getting some new playground items, such as picnic tables and chess table(s)
South Elementary: Kerry noted that South is also getting chess table(s) for its playground
HHS: Donna Keaney noted that Frank Jackson, who is filling in for Nicole Piantes during her maternity leave (she will return to her position in September), has been very proactive and effective to date. The possibility of asking Mr. Jackson if he would be interested/available to work during the ESY was discussed.
Treasury Report: SEPAC has $10,412.39.
New/Old Business: It was announced that there would be an informal informational meeting on Thursday, May 21, at the Hingham Public Library with regard to filling open SEPAC board positions.
Communications/General Inquiries: None.
The meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.