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Council approves student member; membership committee opens chair and vice-chair nominations
Summary
The council voted to accept student applicant Evan Simlick as a student member and discussed leadership nominations; members also approved the Feb. 26 minutes during the consent agenda with two abstentions recorded.
The Connecticut State Advisory Council for Special Education on March 26 voted to accept Evan Simlick as a student member and opened nominations for the council’s chair and vice-chair positions.
Catherine Sum, chair of the membership committee, reported that the committee interviewed Evan Simlick, a Stafford student in a transition program who works as a paraeducator and stated on his application that he wants to help young adults with disabilities find jobs. The council voted to accept his application as a student representative; members voted "aye" and no members voiced opposition. (Discussion and vote, March 26.)
Sum said the membership committee also is recruiting additional members and reminded council members to notify the committee if they expect they will be unable to continue after July 1 so vacancies can be planned for.
The council’s nominating committee announced it is accepting nominations for chair and vice-chair to take office July 1. Brian Smith, who led the nominating discussion, asked members to consult potential nominees before submitting names; Catherine Sum noted at least one of the roles must be filled by a parent representative.
During the consent agenda, the council approved minutes from the Feb. 26 meeting. The record shows two abstentions by members who were not at the prior meeting: Michael Scanlon and Representative Dan Gajewski. The minutes were otherwise approved by voice vote.
Why it matters: Student representation and leadership transitions shape the council’s agenda and the composition of advisory input to the Connecticut State Department of Education.
What happens next: The nominating committee will collect nominations for chair and vice-chair; Susan Yankee and Jennifer (last name not specified in discussion) offered to mentor incoming officers. The membership committee will continue recruitment and onboarding activities.
Ending: Evan Simlick was accepted as a student representative; leadership nominations remain open with formal elections to follow.
