Newton, MA SEPAC

Abstract: These minutes document the Newton SEPAC Open Board Meeting held virtually on October 14, 2025. Key discussions included updates from SEPAC board members and school liaisons, federal changes to IEP documentation timelines, liaison coordination across schools, accessibility and inclusion initiatives, district special education program guidance, and planning for upcoming SEPAC events, including the Meet the Candidate event. Open comments highlighted systemic accessibility concerns, communication gaps, and the need for clearer district-wide resources. Action items were identified to support advocacy, coordination, and improved communication for families.

Date: October 14, 2025           Location: Virtual meeting via Zoom        Time: 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Facilitator: Sarah Riccardi-Swartz
Notes: Maka Bubashvili

Status: Draft for Review

Attendees(12)

SEPAC Board Members

● Chair: Sarah Riccardi-Swartz
● Secretary: Maka Bubashvili
● Treasurer: Sri Sridhar
● Liaison Chair: Lindsay Klump
● Program Chair: Sahar Zaheer
● Board Emeritae: Jenny Klein-Sosa, Eliza Spaulding

Guests and SEPAC Liaisons

● Chris Callanan (SEPAC Liaison, Mason-Rice)
● Elizabeth Scott (SEPAC Liaison, Peirce)
● Jacquelyn Lykken (SEPAC Liaison, Newton Early Childhood Program / Lincoln Eliot)
● Ema Jonsdottir (Co-Chair, Newton Commission on Disability)
● Cyrus Dahmbubed (City Council candidate; guest attendee)

All attendees introduced themselves, noting their roles, involvement in special programs, and length of engagement with SEPAC, fostering a welcoming and supportive atmosphere.

Agenda Discussions

● Welcome and Introductions:
The meeting was opened and facilitated by Sarah Riccardi-Swartz (Chair). SEPAC board members, SEPAC liaisons, and guests introduced themselves, noting their roles, school affiliations, and connections to special education. Cyrus Dahmbubed, a City Council candidate, attended as a guest to listen and learn about special education priorities in Newton.

● Federal IEP Documentation Timeline Changes:
Sarah Riccardi-Swartz shared a personal experience from an IEP meeting held earlier that day at Bowen Elementary School, where a caseworker explained new federal guidance requiring IEP documentation to be provided to families within three to five business days following IEP meetings. This represents a change from the prior one- to two-week timeline and eliminates the traditional day-of summary sheet, with summaries now embedded within the full IEP document. Sarah noted that this guidance is being implemented nationally, including across Massachusetts. Members also shared supplemental resources and references via the Zoom chat related to federal special education guidance and documentation timelines.

● Clarification Questions and Implementation Context:
SEPAC members asked clarifying questions regarding how the new documentation process would function in practice, including whether families would still receive written summaries immediately following meetings. Sarah Riccardi-Swartz clarified that summaries are now incorporated into the full IEP documents delivered within the expedited timeline. Sri Sridhar (Treasurer) noted that turnaround times had already varied significantly across programs and schools, citing examples where some families had previously received IEPs within days.

● Federal Enforcement and District Responsibility:
Members raised concerns regarding how the new federal guidance would be enforced, particularly in light of staffing reductions within the U.S. Department of Education and the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). Sarah Riccardi-Swartz noted that enforcement responsibility ultimately lies with individual school districts. Members discussed the importance of raising implementation questions with the Newton Public Schools Office of Student Services (OSS) and noted that SEPAC plans to bring these concerns to upcoming quarterly meetings with Superintendent Anna Nolin.

● Updates from SEPAC Board and Liaison Coordination:
Lindsay Klump (Liaison Chair) provided an update on liaison outreach and coverage for the 2025–2026 school year, reporting that approximately 17 school liaisons have confirmed participation, with several schools still needing coverage. Schools identified as requiring follow-up included Cabot, Underwood, Ward, Williams, and Memorial-Spaulding. Jenny Klein-Sosa (Board Emerita) noted a transition in liaison coverage at Memorial-Spaulding, and members discussed next steps for confirming contacts and updating liaison information across schools.

● School-Based Liaison Events and Community Engagement:
○ Chris Callanan (Mason-Rice SEPAC Liaison) shared details about a recent SEPAC family coffee held at Mason-Rice Elementary School.
○ The event was attended by parents and the school principal and provided an informal opportunity for early-year connection and discussion.
○ Ken Chia, attending in his capacity as a parent, provided helpful historical context based on prior liaison experience.

● Accessibility and Inclusion Initiatives:
○ Sahar Zaheer (Program Chair) reported on the establishment of a PTO Accessibility Committee at Countryside Elementary School.
○ The committee has a dedicated $1,500 budget to support inclusive programming.
○ Planned efforts include a sensory-friendly accessibility station at the upcoming Countryside Halloween event, featuring quiet spaces, sensory materials, and adaptive supports.
○ Challenges related to participation from METCO families, including transportation and distance, were noted.

● Special Education Program Guidance:
SEPAC members discussed ongoing advocacy related to the district’s Special Education Program Guide, noting that the 2022 guide remains the primary publicly available resource and had previously been removed from the district website. Members emphasized that families often lack clear, comprehensive information about district-wide program options during IEP and 504 planning and discussed comparisons to neighboring districts that provide more detailed guidance.

● SEPAC Meet the Candidate Event:
○ The event is scheduled for October 22–23 and will be held virtually via Zoom.
○ Discussion included outreach and promotion considerations, with an emphasis on accessibility and clear communication to families.
○ The importance of ensuring families are informed and able to engage with candidates on special education issues was emphasized.

● Input on Future SEPAC Events:
Members shared ideas for future SEPAC programming for the 2025–2026 school year, including Inclusive Schools Week activities, recognition of special education teachers and staff, and broader community-building initiatives. Emphasis was placed on collecting input from liaisons and families to inform structured planning and coordination across schools.

Open Comment Discussions

● Accessibility and Infrastructure Concerns (Williams School Playground):
Parents and community members raised concerns about accessibility at the Williams School playground, noting that students in the Reflections program, who have complex physical disabilities, are currently unable to access play structures. Barriers include infrastructure challenges such as required stormwater mitigation and limited citywide funding for playground upgrades. Ema Jonsdottir (Co-Chair, Newton Commission on Disability) noted that the Commission has sent a letter regarding playground accessibility to city department heads and emphasized the importance of continued advocacy and coordination with city agencies.

● Broader Accessibility Inequities Across Schools:
Open comments highlighted inconsistencies in accessibility across schools and programs, particularly for students with physical, sensory, and communication needs. Parents emphasized that accessibility often depends on individual school initiatives rather than consistent district-wide standards.

● Impact of Special Education Information Gaps on Families:
Parents expressed concern that families lack clear, comprehensive information about district-wide special education programs when making IEP and 504 decisions. Participants noted that the absence of updated guidance places a significant burden on families to independently research options or seek outside support.

● Scale of Impact on Newton Families:
During open comment, participants noted that approximately one in four Newton students has an IEP or 504 plan. Parents emphasized that gaps in guidance, accessibility, and communication therefore affect a substantial portion of the district community.● City-Level Coordination and Accountability:
Community members raised questions about how decisions affecting students with disabilities are made at the city level, particularly regarding Parks and Recreation and capital planning. Comments emphasized the need for consultation with families and disability advocates when making infrastructure decisions that affect students with disabilities.