5/2/2012 SEPAC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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The same principle applies to a PAC's 3) Set and post agenda of PAC interactions with parent-teacher orga- meetings regularly. Establish a calen- nizations, other school groups, and the dar of PAC meetings and activities for the community at large. The more ties that a upcoming year that includes dates, times, PAC can establish with the community, and locations. The PAC can then share the more it will be able to make connec- the calendar with any potential PAC tions on behalf of improving the district's members, the special education adminis- special education options. trator, and all interested parties in the district. If possible, the PAC meetings can A PAC often can benefit from assuming be held on a regular day, such as "the the role of "liaison" between special edu- first Tuesday of the month," to make it cation students and other segments of easier to attract attendees. Also, the PAC the school community. Often, a PAC can should get its scheduled events included help educate other parents and the com- on the school district's main calendar so munity at large about what special edu others in the school system can see cation is—and is not--in addition to them. helping educate people about disabilities. 4) Develop an annual budget for the C. Recommended Steps PAC. First, before the start of a new Toward Organizing an school year, PAC leaders should deter- Effective PAC mine what funding, if any, the school district can. and will provide for the year. 1) Draft a Mission Statement, prefera- Second, the PAC should decide what, if bly with as much participation of PAC any, funds it may want to raise on its members as possible. With the general own for any purposes. Third, the PAC framework of the PAC's work defined by should set and plan its budget for the regulation, the content of the Mission year based on funds that will be available Statement should encompass what mem- bers believe is most important to them--- 5) Develop a system of practices for in their advisory and participatory communicating about the PAC to functions—for special education in their parents of students with disabilities district. and for interacting with other 2) Establish by-laws that define impor- important constituencies. The PAC's means of communication are an impor- tant policies and procedures of the PAC, tant aspect to a PAC's success. Hence, such as: the PAC's leaders should consider at the • the methods of selection of officers; start of a year how communications to • the duties and terms of the officers; various audiences will be handled, includ- • how meetings will be conducted {by ing, for example, finding out if it is Robert's Rules of Order, for exam- possible to have postings about the PAC on the school districts website. Also, the ple}' PAC should consider how it will interact budgetary and financial rules and with other school groups and community responsibilities; groups, and how such communications • rules for raising PAC funds to use for and interactions may assist in furthering PAC activities; the mission of the PAC. • how often the PAC will. meet; and, • where the PAC will meet. 7