Advisory council committee schedules student interview, seeks member intentions and adds new legislative appointee to contact list

State Advisory Council for Special Education membership committee members agreed on March 11 to meet with a student applicant and to survey current members about whether they plan to remain on the council after July 1.

The committee discussed a student membership survey submitted on behalf of Evan Simlick by Janelle Marella, who is identified in the application as a transition coordinator and special education unified coach at Stafford High School. Catherine (membership committee chair) said she would email Janelle to arrange a short virtual meeting with Evan so the committee can ask the student and any supporting adult questions and clarify availability. "I will email Janelle right after we meet and ask if they're available on Monday the seventeenth," Catherine said. The committee tentatively held Monday, March 17, 1 p.m. as the first option and named alternate dates if that time does not work.

Why it matters: Student members provide a direct perspective on services and transition planning; the committee said it wants to confirm Evan’s age and grade and, if needed, obtain parental permission before the student participates in council meetings. Members noted many council meetings are held in the morning, while Evan listed availability after noon on Wednesdays, which could limit full attendance without accommodations.

What the committee decided: Catherine agreed to send two emails as action items — one to Janelle to arrange the student meeting and one to the full SAC membership asking members to state by March 31 whether they intend to remain on the council after July 1. Brian Smith (nominating committee chair) was identified as the nominating committee lead who will use any resignations to guide recruitment. The committee suggested using a youth advisory alternative if the timing or supports make participation in the SAC impractical for the student.

Membership roster review and legislative appointee: Committee members reviewed a list of current SAC members and their appointment/expiration status, noting that many members received appointment letters last fall and that several expiration dates are therefore a year or more away. The committee also celebrated that a legislator has been appointed to the SAC; members discussed that Representative Daniel (last name spelled in the meeting transcript as "G a I e w s k I" and who goes by Dan) from New London is new to the email and calendar systems and that staff should ensure he receives calendar invites for full council meetings. Catherine said she will forward contact information to Holly and Christine so staff can add the legislator to meeting invites.

Votes and formal actions: The committee approved the membership committee meeting minutes from Nov. 4, 2024, by voice vote. The minutes approval was moved and seconded and the chair announced the motion carried after members said "Aye." The committee later moved and seconded to adjourn.

Meeting context and next steps: The committee spent about 20–25 minutes on membership business, focused mainly on arranging the student interview, confirming meeting-time constraints, and soliciting member intentions ahead of July 1. Catherine will (1) email Janelle to propose a student interview; (2) email the SAC membership asking members to confirm by March 31 whether they intend to continue past July 1; and (3) forward contact details for the newly appointed legislative member to Holly and Christine so staff can add that representative to calendar invites. The committee asked staff to clarify whether parental permission is necessary if Evan is underage and to confirm which SAC meetings the student would be expected to attend (full council meetings vs. committee meetings).