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CPAC nearing parent‑handbook draft for special‑education families, to be hosted on district site
Summary
The Nashoba Regional CPAC reported progress on a parent handbook focused on special education and related family supports. The committee plans to collaborate with the district’s director of student services to finalize the document for posting on the district website; CPAC elections are scheduled for June 10.
Pam Duggan, co‑chair of Nashoba Regional’s Committee for Parents of Children with Special Needs (CPAC), told the school committee on May 28 that CPAC has drafted a parent handbook intended to explain special‑education processes and local supports.
Duggan said CPAC members collaborated with the district’s new director of student services and plan to refine the draft so it reflects Nashoba’s procedures. “We split it up…we're getting ready to meet with Roanne to, you know, get feedback and collaborate…and then move forward from there,” Duggan said. The group’s stated goal is a practical, living document that helps families know where to start when they think their child may need services and to explain steps such as IEPs, 504 plans and the district’s MTSS support structure.
CPAC and district staff clarified what the handbook will include. Duggan said the draft draws on models from other districts and is intended to be a concise resource for parents who are uncertain about evaluations, eligibility, or initial steps and to describe supports that often operate “behind the scenes.” The draft will be reviewed with the district’s director of student services (named in the meeting as Roanne) to ensure accuracy and to align with district policy and operational practice; communications staff will later help publish and distribute the final version across district channels.
Other CPAC work this school year Duggan summarized a busy year for CPAC: regular check‑ins with the director of student services, public presentations on topics including transition planning and evaluations, family events and social gatherings, workshops for parents and staff, and a nearly finished parent handbook. CPAC plans an election for officers at its June 10 meeting and expects to continue meetings with the district in the coming year.
What committee members asked and requested Committee members asked about content scope. Jackie (School Committee member) asked whether the handbook will include information for families whose children have 504 plans or use general‑education accommodations; Duggan replied that CPAC aims to address information “from the beginning” so families understand multi‑tiered supports and where 504 and IEP processes fit in. Superintendent Downing and teaching‑and‑learning staff said communications staff will support hosting and distribution once the handbook is reviewed by the director of student services.
Ending CPAC requested that the district host the parent handbook on the district website as a living document that can be updated. Duggan said CPAC hopes to finalize language with the director of student services this summer and to coordinate with communications to publish the resource for families ahead of the 2025–26 school year.
