Hingham Public Schools Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
7:00-9:00 PM
School Department Conference Room
Meeting Minutes


Attendees present: Nate Rand, Paige Rand, Kate Gaughen, Liz Flynn, Ed Schreirer, Kay Praschma


The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM.  Meeting minutes for 8/20 were approved.  

Finance Report
Paige Rand reported that our balance was down by 11% from 9/2015 to 9/2016.  
  • We need to create a financial control plan, where there are triggers in place to review spending.
  • Ideas to strengthen fundraising included:
  • Solicit donations instead of 50/50 raffles at events
  • Solicit donations to support speakers/events
    • Talbots is a good supporter and don’t get asked as much

Liaison Status
  • Zoe Pirnie will serve as the liaison for East
  • Kate will touch base with Sharon and Susan to make sure that they are still interested in serving as liaisons for Foster and Plymouth River
  • Psychologist team chairs can identify a potential parent to serve as the high school liaison

Parent Breakfast
  • We had a great first meeting of parents – 7-8 total were in attendance
  • The conversation was very informal
  • The most significant comment had to do with the timeliness of communication f

Speaker Series
  • Kate will email the flyer to the list of parents who attended previous events
  • Dr. Schreirer will project on the board at the School Committee meetings on 9/19 and again on 10/3
  • Nate will follow-up re. organization on night of

Parents Rights and Responsibilities
  • Liz Flynn will update the flyer and we will ask liaisons and principals to distribute it

November Social
  • Target 11/17 as the date
  • Explore whethe we can reserve a room/area at the Corner Stop
  • Flyer TBD

Hingham School Climate Study
  • Ben Louchheim will come at 6:30 PM on 10/12 to talk about the Hingham School climate study

E911 Database Update
  • In order to create a plan, we need more formal information from the police department about the process to put children in the E911 database
    • Families that could benefit from being in the database could be identified by school psychologists
    • The focus should be on at-risk students
  • We can post information on SEPAC website to alert parents to this service.  

School Committee Report
  • SEPAC’s annual report will be presented on 9/19
  • Pam King needs anything for the packet by 9/15
  • We will review the activities of last year and preview the year ahead

Other Business
  • Liz Flynn highlighted a potential social networking opportunity for rising middle school parents of children in special education in the Spring
  • SEPAC is still interested in hosting a preschool networking event ​