The Milton Special Education Parent Advisory Council (Milton SEPAC) is a parent-run, nonprofit organization in Milton, Massachusetts dedicated to providing information, support and advocacy to families with children with special needs and/or learning disabilities in the Milton Public Schools. Milton SEPAC represents families of approximately 800 Milton Public School students on IEPs and 504s.
Educate
Becoming productive, caring, and contributing members of society does not happen without intention, cooperation, and consistent review, especially when it comes to neurodivergent learners. In monthly SEPAC meetings, we support families by providing information, trainings, and opportunities for networking.
Participate
This is your parent advisory council. The world of special education is complicated and often confounding. Our kids deserve a system that works for them and a community in which they can belong in a meaningful way. This simply cannot happen unless parents commit to work together for improvements and change.
Advocate
We collaborate with the administrative leadership to review school processes and policies. We build consensus for advocacy. School representatives from the SEPAC Board meet with school principals regularly to build the trust needed for success.
SEPAC BOARD
Co-Chairpersons: Kate Murphy kkinnas@gmail.com / Johanna McCarthy jkward@gmail.com
Secretary: Jenny Sheehan jennycsheehan@gmail.com
School Representatives:
Preschool: Jenny Robberson jennrs16@gmail.com
Collicot: [open]
Cunningham: Kate Murphy kkinnas@gmail.com / Johanna McCarthy jkward@gmail.com
Glover: Drew Coman drewccoman@gmail.com
Tucker: Kathleen Jackson kfjackson21@gmail.com
Pierce: Melissa Feldman melissafeldman27@gmail.com / Darcy Maksou dmaksou@yahoo.com
Milton High: Jenny Sheehan jennycsheehan@gmail.com / Nancy Kelly nancyjkelly@gmail.com
Out-of-District: [open]
Members at Large:
Jennie Mulqueen jenniemulqueen@gmail.com
Rob Milt ramilt@gmail.com
Julie Ferullo julieaferullo@gmail.com
Courtney Hawkes Gaidos courtney.hawkes@gmail.com
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Milton SEPAC is to ADVOCATE for understanding, acceptance and inclusion of ALL children in the Milton Public Schools.
Milton SEPAC strives to make a difference in the lives of students with disabilities by:
Providing families support, information and training on the special education process, and laws that govern their child’s right to a free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment
Networking and sharing resources to better support our children’s needs
Working in partnership with the school district to create and improve positive outcomes for students with disabilities
Promoting education, communication, and programs within our community
The mission of the Milton Public Schools is to educate, challenge, and empower all students to be productive, caring, and contributing members of society. Milton SEPAC supports the achievement of this mission for families with IEPs and 504s.
MILTON SEPAC WORKING OBJECTIVES
Parent Forums for Support and Community
Building Relationships with School Leaders
Staffing Policy and Procedures
District Inclusion Practices
IEP Development
MILTON SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL BYLAWS
Article I: NAME
The name of the Council shall be the Milton Special Education Parent Advisory Council known as Milton SEPAC.
Article II: PURPOSE
The mission of the Milton SEPAC is to ADVOCATE for understanding, acceptance and inclusion of ALL children in the Milton Public Schools.
To that end, Milton SEPAC will work toward the best education for all students within the Milton Public Schools. Milton SEPAC shall:
PARTICIPATE: Serve as a network for parents of children with special needs and others to share information and resources relative to special education and disabilities.
PARTICIPATE: Promote communication between SEPAC members, local, state and national organizations, councils and groups and programs within the community to encourage understanding, acceptance and inclusion.
ADVOCATE: Meet regularly with the District to participate in the planning, development and evaluation of the District’s special education programs and policies and with parent and teacher training needs.
Collaborate with the District on identifying and improving educational outcomes for students with disabilities.
Promote an educational environment wherein all students have equal access to, and meaningful participation in, academic and nonacademic programs and opportunities.
Hold Milton Public School District accountable to fulfill the requirements and duties set forth in Federal and State Education Law in matters pertaining to the education, inclusion and safety of students with disabilities.
Fulfill the SEPAC requirements and duties set forth in Massachusetts special education laws and regulations: M.G.L. Chapter 71B and 603 CMR 28.03(1)(a)(lV) & 28.07(4).
Article III: AFFILIATION
Milton SEPAC shall be duly recognized by the Milton Public School Committee with the approval of these bylaws. In the course of its duties, Milton SEPAC is authorized to provide advice to the District regarding its special education program and policies. Milton SEPAC shall receive assistance from the District without charge, upon reasonable notice and subject to the availability of staff and resources.
Article IV: MEMBERSHIP
(a) General SEPAC membership includes any parent or guardian of a student receiving special education services or Section 504 accommodations through the Milton Public Schools;
(b) Students, age 14 or older, receiving special education services or Section 504 accommodations;
(c) Voting membership is required to vote in annual officer elections and other business that comes before any Milton SEPAC meeting. Voting membership shall be extended to all Members who are parents or guardians of children receiving special education services or Section 504 accommodations in the District.
(d) Communications: Members shall be communicated through Office of Pupil Personnel Services’ monthly newsletter, each school Principal’s weekly newsletter, and other regular SEPAC-generated communications.
Article V: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The SEPAC Executive Board shall include Chairperson(s), Secretary, and Treasurer. Additional Board Members include up to two representatives for each school, including the preschool and students in out-of-district programs.
The Board of the Milton SEPAC is elected by the general membership and hold office for one year, with the exception of the Chair(s) who serve terms of two years. When possible, two Co-Chairs will share the Office and overlap tenure, such that one is elected on an alternating basis every year. If any office becomes vacant, an election for that office shall be held immediately, with term to expire at the next Elections date.
Chairperson(s)
Set the agenda and preside over all general meetings;
Serve as the primary liaisons between SEPAC and the Milton Public Schools District
Oversee the organization and function of any subcommittees;
Coordinate the duties of the Board and the activities of SEPAC;
Secretary
Record attendance and record, maintain and distribute all meeting minutes;
Publish agenda in accordance with Massachusetts Open Meeting Law and any corresponding meeting minutes;
Coordinate all communication between the Milton SEPAC Board and its membership;
For the purpose of confidentiality, the District does not share the email addresses of families receiving special education services with the SEPAC. Therefore, all SEPAC mailings will be distributed on the SEPAC’s behalf. (The email will appear as from Milton SEPAC?)
With the exception of financial documents, maintain all SEPAC correspondence.
Treasurer
Coordinate efforts to apply for grants, donations, reimbursements or any other funds for which the Milton SEPAC may be eligible;
School Representatives/Liaisons
Bring forth individual school concerns/questions/needs to the SEPAC Board for discussion;
Liaise with school Principals to discuss and promote SEPAC events, communicate concerns, learn about staff and school changes;
Liaise with school families in response to emerging needs and situations;
Communicate SEPAC information to school;
Lead efforts to encourage parents to get more involved in the SEPAC;
Work with Board Members to conduct forums, presentations, etc. to the District and general SEPAC membership.
Article VI: ELECTIONS
Elections shall be the first order of business during the November meeting. Elections shall be decided by a simple majority of the voting membership, subject to the presence of a quorum of at least five. New officers shall take office immediately following their election. Positions that come open mid-term may be filled by invitation and appointment of Board Chairs.
Article VII: MEETINGS
General Meetings shall be held at least monthly, from October through May. Notice of all general meetings, speakers and elections shall be published in advance, in a stand-alone District-wide email blast and posted on Milton Public Schools’ website(s). Notice will be filed with the Town Clerk’s office for public posting.
All meetings during which SEPAC conducts business shall be open to the public and held in accordance with the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law, which requires a posted agenda. Matters which require a majority vote at a general meeting include, but are not limited to the following items:
a change to the bylaws
plans to commit financial resources (i.e., the yearly budget)
elections
Article VIII: SUBCOMMITTEES
Subcommittees shall be created as needed.
Article IX: FUNDS
Milton SEPAC shall coordinate efforts and work with the Friends of the Milton SEPAC to apply for grants, donations and/or any other funds that it may be eligible for in accordance with Massachusetts law and in consultation with the District’s Business Office. Any and all fundraising will be done by Friends of the Milton SEPAC, a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
Article X: AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be adopted, altered, repealed or amended at any SEPAC Board meeting provided that the proposed change is submitted in writing to all Board members at least 7 calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting in which the vote is to be taken. Proposed bylaws changes may be adopted by a simple majority vote.
Article XI: MEETING PROTOCOLS
Robert’s Rules of Order shall serve as a guide to this SEPAC.
Article X11: REVISION HISTORY
Approved on February 8, 2016
Revised and approved on September 9, 2021