Special Education Advisory Council - Organizational Guidelines

The Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) is an aggregation of parents, community representatives and Saint Paul Public Schools staff. Council members are appointed by the Saint Paul Board of Education.

Terms of Office

Attendance

Meetings

Discussion and Information Sharing

Decision Making

Amendments to Council Guidelines

Staff

Officers

Executive Committee

Special Education Advisory Council Committees

School District Committees

Statement of Purpose
According to Minnesota Statute 125A.24, school districts must have a special education advisory council that is incorporated into the district’s special education system plan. The purpose of the parent advisory council that is established through this statute is to:
Increase the involvement of parents of children with disabilities in district policymaking and decision making.
Advise the district on policy and decisions affecting and/or related to special education.
Recommend priorities to be addressed by the district in their annual and long term strategic plan.
Support the needs of students with disabilities regarding the special education budget at school committee meetings.

The following may be addressed by the SEAC:
Support of activities on behalf of students with disabilities.
Development of cooperative relationships between general and special education.
Training and support for parents, families and students with disabilities.
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).
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.
Identify annual goals and present them to the school board.
Support and encourage involvement of families of learners with disabilities in their school and educational programs.
Promote an attitude of respect towards all learners and an appreciation of their unique differences.
Serve as a resource for Saint Paul Public Schools site councils regarding special education issues.

Membership
The Special Education Advisory Council shall consist of a minimum of 24 and a maximum of 36 persons. At least half of the designated council members must be parents of students with a disability. About one-fourth of the representatives will include students receiving special education services, individuals with a disability, or representatives of community agencies. About one-fourth will be members of the staff of the school district. Members must be at least 16 years and have a basic understanding of issues affecting individuals receiving special education services.

A membership committee will be appointed by the chairperson. The committee will be responsible for maintaining appropriate representation in each membership category – parents, community, staff on the council. Names of new council members will be submitted to the Saint Paul Board of Education.

Terms of Office
Council members shall be appointed to a term of two years and may serve a total of three terms. Terms may be extended at the discretion of the Special Education Advisory Council Executive Board.

Attendance
In order to promote cohesiveness and to enable all members of the council to be part of an informed decision-making process, all members are encouraged to attend each of the council meetings. A council member who misses three meetings will be contacted by an executive committee member to determine if they are still interested in council membership.

If a member is unable to attend a council meeting, it is expected that they contact Marilyn at 651-767-8325 before 4:30 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

In case of inclement weather, a council meeting may be cancelled. Every effort will be made to contact council members via a phone call to alert them to the cancellation. If you do not receive a call, you may contact Marilyn to check on the status of the meeting or tune in to WCCO radio or TV.

Meetings
The Special Education Advisory Council will meet monthly on the third Wednesday with special meetings called at the discretion of the executive committee. Meetings will be limited, as much as possible, to two hours in length.

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
In order to facilitate discussion among all council members, all members will be asked to limit their comments so as not to prohibit others from speaking. Agendas will be timed so that meetings can be efficient and end on time. 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 a council member wishes to bring an item to the council for discussion, they are encouraged to provide the membership with all necessary information to aid in the discussion. If more information is needed, as stated above, the member may be asked to bring it to the next meeting and discussion will e tabled until that time.

If a member wishes the council to discuss an issue that requires outside expertise, they are encouraged to contact a member of the executive committee prior to the executive committee meeting so that the item can be placed on the next agenda and an appropriate speaker can be contacted.

Decision Making
All decisions will be made by consensus. If the Special Education Advisory Council cannot reach consensus, majority vote. One-third of the council membership shall constitute a quorum and must be present for a vote to be taken.

Amendments to Council Guidelines
Amendments to the council guidelines may be proposed by members. Amendments will be distributed to all members in a draft form at least one month prior to a vote. Amendments will require an affirmative vote by a majority of members present.

Council guidelines will be reviewed at least every two years.

Staff
The Director of Special Education will serve as an ex officio member of the Special Education Advisory Council and assure that a person will be available to record minutes of the Council meetings.
A staff person will type agendas and minutes of all meetings of the council as well as arrange for meeting space. The Director will act as the administrative liaison between the Special Education Advisory Council and the district administration, the School Board and the teaching staff. The Director will give an annual report on the status of special education services in the District, will respond to recommendations of the Special Education Advisory Council and report back to the Special Education Advisory Council with a response to the recommendations if necessary.

Officers
Officers of the Special Education Advisory Council shall consist of a chair and a vice-chair. They will have a combined two-year term with the vice-chair becoming the chair during the second year of their term. If the chair or vice-chair are unable to fulfill this obligation, these positions will be filled from the current Special Education Advisory Council membership at the discretion of the executive board. Terms of officers and members shall begin in June. Every effort will be made for the council chair/co-chair to be a parent or community member.

Executive Committee
The executive committee shall consist of the chair and vice chair and at least one additional member appointed by the Special Education Advisory Council. The executive committee shall be responsible for establishing the meeting agenda, dealing with issues that arise between regular Special Education Advisory Council meetings and other issues specified by the Special Education Advisory
Council. Any action of the executive committee shall be discussed and voted on, if necessary, at the next Special Education Advisory Council meeting.

Special Education Advisory Council Committees
The chair with the advice and authorization of the Special Education Advisory Council may establish task forces and study committees to accomplish specific, time limited assignments. Special Education Advisory Council members will be encouraged to participate in a task force or committee.

School District Committees
Representation from the Special Education Advisory Council will be solicited on all school district task forces, committees or groups. The Special Education Advisory Council will appoint the Special Education Advisory Council members to these committees.