Newton SEPAC
Open Board Meeting
September 10, 2019
Board Members Present (7/7): Lisa DePalma, Christine Carey, Rajeev Parlikar, Peter Shea, Brigitte LaMarche, Erin Kelly, Eliza Spaulding, Rocio Calvo
School Committee Members, etc Present: Matthew Miller, Anping Shen, Kim Gallaugher (Liaison Coordinator)
Agenda:
Welcome the 2019-20 SEPAC Board
Board Introductions and Expectations
SEPAC Mission and Activities
Board Member Priorities
Proposed Presentation Topics
Any Other Business
Introductions of 2019-2020 Board
Icebreaker
Board Member Priorities
Peter – Transition Programming
Lisa – relationship w/ new Assistant Superintendent of Student Services
Eliza – discreet projects, support, liaison program
Kim – parent communication, liaison program, publicizing SEPAC
Rocio – support, systems, administration
Erin – support, liaison program
Brigitte – website, social/digital media/FB, communication
Christine – fiscal plan, speakers/presentations, family support
Rajeev – family support, build relationship w/ Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, outreach to new families
Board Member Expectations – Rajeev
Attend meetings and presentations; let co-chairs know if you can’t make it
Each board member will plan and execute one presentation
Rotate meeting with Beth; 3-4 board meetings can attend each one without violating open meeting law. Christine to distribute scheduled dates soon
Annual SEPAC Awards – each board member should plan to help in some way
Be knowledgeable of issues on list serve
Jump in and answer questions if you can
Liaisons know to contact Board with school specific issues they can’t handle
info@newtonpac.org goes to Christine, Rajeev, Peter, Lisa
SEPAC Mission and Activities
Advise School Committee
Provide Basic Rights Presentation (usually near the beginning of the year)
Work with NPS on issues parents have with staff/administration at their school
One presentation per month to Newton Community
Behind the scenes support
Occasional interaction with Mayor’s office, Parks & Rec, Transition Services, METCO
Proposed Presentation Topics – tabled until next meeting (mostly). Rajeev will send out list of topics from last year and generate ideas for this year
Peter will create form to gather ideas from people on list serve
Presentations by people with disabilities?
Support Groups? Would want/need to separate by diagnosis/school level vs. anyone
Big Brother/Big Sister-type program?
Basic Rights is a must
Other Business:
End of Year Report to School Committee – Rajeev emailed to Board, will be posted on website. Includes everything we did as a SEPAC last year
School Committee has a newsletter; sign up at NPS website
SEPAC doesn’t endorse SC candidates/slates. SEPAC Board Members can endorse candidates individually without indicating SEPAC involvement
SEPAC held a SC candidate forum 2 years ago; parents felt it was useful; will consider holding another for elections in November
Kim Gallaugher – Liaison Coordinator – openings at Angier, Bigelow
Meeting adjourned at 9:08pm
Newton, MA SEPAC 