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District advisory councils report on parent outreach, ESE resources and transportation changes
Summary
The Exceptional Student Education advisory council and the District Advisory Council (DAC) reported increased parent access to training and resources, expansion of Leon Works partnerships and planned transportation town halls; DAC chair Jacqueline Steele marked a transition to a new chair after a packed 'Multi Advisory Council' meeting.
Advisory councils updated the Leon County School Board on May 13 about parent outreach, special-education resources and pending transportation changes.
Sassafras Middleman (chair of the ESE advisory council) told the board the council had linked parents to regional advocacy and training centers, including the Family Network on Disabilities and the Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resource Systems, and hosted presentations on IEP and 504 planning, transition planning, guardianship and other topics. "This is a parent-led council," Middleman said, and she said the group had invested in presentations to give parents direct access to administrators and specialists who can help with planning and supports.
District Advisory Council chair Jacqueline Colston Steele (presenting her final report as chair) said the district staged a combined meeting for multiple advisory groups (called a "MAC" in the presentation) that included Title I, ESE, TAC and DAC members; the event drew a large turnout and the superintendent addressed the group. Steele said the council heard presentations on autism and supported continuing family resource centers in Fort Braden and central locations. She introduced incoming vice-chair Damaris Barrios and said the DAC will continue parent-engagement workgroups and advocacy training.
Board members thanked advisory leaders and praised parent-led advocacy. One board member asked who manages the ESE advisory council staff liaison; the answer in the meeting was Kathy Shields. The advisory reports included notice of transportation changes that will be followed with community town halls this summer, and staff agreed to return to the advisory groups with additional details as they finalize plans.
No formal board action was required for these informational reports.
