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3 <br /> i <br /> Board of Selectmen <br /> Minutes <br /> May 19,2008 <br /> APPOINTMENTS AND HEARINGS: <br /> Public Comment: (continued) <br /> Approximately twenty concerned parents and van drivers in support of <br /> special education transportation services were in the audience to discuss <br /> the School Department's decision to seek alternative transportation <br /> arrangements with the Cape Cod Collaborative for special needs students. <br /> The Collaborative is a non-profit organization that serves local districts to <br /> transport special needs students. <br /> Chairman Cook informed the citizens the Board of Selectmen does not <br /> have any purview over this issue. The matter is strictly deemed a decision <br /> of the School Committee and is not an agenda topic of the Board of <br /> Selectmen. It is apparently a misconception that the Selectmen have a role <br /> in the transportation decision. Due to the concerns of the parents,the <br /> Selectmen opened the matter to hear public comment. <br /> State Representative Matthew Patrick indicated that he was not aware the <br /> issue was not on the Selectmen's agenda. On behalf of the parents and <br /> van drivers, Representative Patrick asked the Selectmen to intervene on <br /> this important issue. Mr. Patrick stated that he would pledge to find <br /> resources to continue the special education transportation services in- <br /> house. <br /> Amy Fish a parent of a special needs student stated that consistency is <br /> extremely important with children of autism. Changes can cause <br /> distraught that effect academic programs with special needs students. Ms. <br /> Fish indicated that transportation and academics are part of the same issue. <br /> Ms. Fish also stated that SEPAC,the Special Education Parent Advisory <br /> Council had no input into this matter. <br /> Fran Carroll pointed out that her child attends school in Vermont. <br /> Mashpee van drivers were noted to be very caring and trustworthy. <br /> Consistency with regular and familiar drivers was deemed important for <br /> both the parents and children attending school in the out-of-district <br /> program. <br /> Susan Furlani was in attendance with her daughters, and requested <br /> leadership from the Board of Selectmen to prove this point for the <br /> concerned parents of special needs children. Ms. Furlani stated that her <br /> children were previously abused by Collaborative drivers. Consistency in <br /> van drivers was also deemed beneficial for the students who are <br /> transported. <br />