Statement of Purpose:
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Increase the involvement of parents of children with disabilities in district policymaking and decision-making.
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Advise the district on policy and decisions affecting and/or related to special education.
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Recommend priorities to be addressed by the district in their annual and long-term strategic plan.
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Support the needs of students with disabilities regarding the special education budget at school committee meetings.
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Be parent led and directed.
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Advocate from the perspective of children with special needs and their families.
Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) may:
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Support activities on behalf of students with disabilities.
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Develop cooperative relationships between general and special education.
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Train and support parents, families and students with disabilities.
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Develop strategies so district and parent groups can work together to advocate for current and future legislation including, but not limited to, the implementation and/or reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
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Serve as a forum for the expression of concerns and recommendations pertaining to the education of students with disabilities in the Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS).
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Identify annual goals and present them to the school board.
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Encourage involvement of families of learners with disabilities in school and educational programs.
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Promote an attitude of respect towards all learners and an appreciation of their unique differences.
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Serve as a resource for SPPS regarding special education issues.
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Request accountability data from the district for key performance indicators on a variety or metrics.
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Monitor implementation of Policy 508.00 Students with IEPs.
Membership:
The Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) shall consist of up to a maximum of 36 persons. To the greatest extent possible, members of the council should represent the language and cultural diversity of the SPPS community, and the diversity of students’ ages and disabilities served in Special Education. At least half of the designated council members must be parents of students with a disability. Parent members should represent each of the seven attendance areas in the district. About one-fourth of the representatives should include students who are receiving or have received special education services, individuals with a disability, or representatives of community agencies. About one-fourth should be members of the staff of the school district. There must be a nonpublic school representative on the council. Members must be at least 16 years and have a basic understanding of issues affecting individuals receiving special education services. The council co-chairs will appoint a Membership Committee if needed to recruit. This committee will be responsible for recruitment of new members with the goal of achieving a representative council as described above. The council’s Executive Committee will review applications for membership and approve new members.
Terms of Office:
Council members shall be appointed to a term of two years and may serve an unlimited number of terms. Co-chairs will be elected by the SEAC members to serve two-year, staggered terms. Terms begin at the last meeting of the school year. If a new member joins in the middle of a year the term ends at the end of the second school year. Terms do not end in the middle of a school year. Example: Member joins Oct of 2016 the term would end at the last meeting of that school year.
Attendance:
In order to promote cohesiveness and to enable an informed decision-making process, members are encouraged to attend each council meeting. If a member is unable to attend a council meeting, it is expected that they contact the SEAC staff person before 4:30 p.m. on the day of the meeting. In the case of a member missing two consecutive meetings without notice, a member may be removed from the council at the discretion of the Executive Committee. In cases when a council meeting is canceled, every effort will be made to alert members of the cancellation via a phone call, email or text. Members also may contact the SEAC staff member to check the status of the meeting.
Meetings:
The SEAC will meet monthly at a time determined by the SEAC membership at the last meeting of the school year. Special meetings may be called at the discretion of the Executive Committee. Every effort will be made to meet with the Saint Paul School Board annually. The council will prepare an annual report to be presented to the Superintendent/School Board.
Discussion and Information Sharing:
SEAC members strive to discuss and advise on issues of broad importance to SPPS as a whole. While not a forum for solving individual issues, personal stories and reflection can be used to inform the group’s understanding of those broad issues. SEAC members and the district agree to respect the perspectives and confidentiality of all personal experiences shared. All members are encouraged to bring forth concerns and recommendations without fear of reprisal. As such, SEAC discussions and recommendations will develop independent from district control.
- Members and guests should avoid disruption of meeting activities for personal gain. All conversations are expected to be respectful of everyone’s time and the mission and purpose of SEAC.
- In order to facilitate discussion among all council members, members will be asked to limit their comments so as not to prohibit others from speaking. Agendas will be timed to facilitate an efficient meeting schedule. If a particular agenda item requires more discussion or more information is needed to make an informed decision, an agenda item may be carried over to the next meeting.
- If members wish to bring an item to the council for discussion, they are encouraged to submit the item at least two weeks prior to a meeting so that it may be added to the agenda; members should provide the council with any necessary information to aid in the discussion. If more information is needed, the member may be asked to bring it to the next meeting and discussion will be tabled until that time.
Decision Making:
All decisions will be made by consensus. If the council cannot reach consensus, a majority vote will determine a decision. One-third of the council’s membership shall constitute a quorum and must be present, either in person or via teleconference, for a vote to be taken.
Amendments to Council Guidelines:
- Members may propose amendments to organizational guidelines. Proposed amendments will be distributed to all members in a draft form at least one month prior to a vote. A proposed amendment will be adopted with an affirmative vote by a quorum of the council.
- Organizational guidelines will be reviewed at least every two years. Grammatical and typographical corrections do not require a vote of approval if substance of content remains unchanged.
SPPS Staff:
The Director of Special Education will serve as an ex officio member of the Special Education Advisory Council and assure that a staff person is available to record minutes of council meetings. A staff person will type agendas and minutes of all council meetings, as well as arrange for meeting space, childcare, transportation, meals or other meeting accommodations as needed
Co-chairs:
Co-chairs of the Special Education Advisory Council shall consist of two co-chairs. If either of the co-chairs are unable to fulfill their obligations, these positions will be filled from the current SEAC membership at the discretion of the Executive Committee. Terms of Co-chairs will begin at the last meeting of the school year and will be staggered terms. Every effort will be made for the council Co-chairs to be a parent or community member.
Executive Committee:
The Executive Committee shall consist of the Co-chairs and at least three additional members appointed by the SEAC. The Executive Committee will be responsible for:
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establishing meeting agendas
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dealing with issues that arise between regular SEAC meetings
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reviewing applications for membership and approving new members.
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other issues specified by the SEAC.
These actions by the Executive Committee shall be discussed and voted on at the next SEAC meeting.
SEAC Committees:
The Co-chairs, with the advice and authorization of the SEAC, may establish task forces and study committees to accomplish specific, time-limited assignments. SEAC members will be encouraged to participate in any task force or committee.
School District Committees:
Representation from the SEAC will be solicited on all school district task forces, committees or work groups. The SEAC will refer its members to these committees as needed.
Definitions:
Forum: A place, situation, or group in which people exchange ideas and discuss issues, especially important public issues.
Advisory Council: A representative group of stakeholders from a particular community appointed to provide comments and advice, from their perspective, that may be lacking on projects or issues.
Updated December 2024
