CPAC tells school committee resource fair, outreach helped families; members warn of rising local attacks on special education supports

The Stoughton Special Education Parent Advisory Council (CPAC) reported to the School Committee on Tuesday that a resource fair and a series of workshops have increased local support for families of students with disabilities, but CPAC leaders also told the committee some parents feel under attack from local campaign rhetoric.

CPAC co-chairs Kim Kavy and Megan Texara updated the committee on recent and upcoming activities, including a November basic-rights presentation with the Federation for Children with Special Needs, a community resource fair on March 6 held in collaboration with the Canton CPAC and a pair of Pilgrim Area Collaborative workshops planned for March and April. Texara said the resource fair brought “about 30 vendors” and that local agencies such as the recreation department, Stoughton Public Library and Oasis participated; the event was described as successful and planned to be offered again.

CPAC concerns: A speaker representing special‑education families described a national and local environment where opponents criticize district supports. The speaker urged the community to avoid conflating “special education” with the pejorative phrase “high needs” and emphasized that meeting students' needs is required by law. In the meeting the speaker said families feel besieged by campaign rhetoric and asked residents to back candidates who support services: “We need our fellow families to stand up and support students across our schools.”

Planned programs and supports: CPAC noted a March 6 resource fair, an upcoming presentation on social skills by the Pilgrim Area Collaborative at Stoughton High School (hybrid), and an April 17 presentation by Patricia Menzel, an autistic adult who will speak about her life and perspective. CPAC said all meetings are hybrid and encouraged families to participate; the co-chairs also said the council expects to hold elections and a wrap‑up meeting in May.

Committee response: Committee members thanked CPAC leaders for organizing outreach and praised the resource fair. Several members said they were moved by parents' comments about feeling under attack and expressed support for students and staff. The committee also noted that the CPAC liaison role on the School Committee had helped bring issues to the committee's attention.

Ending: CPAC leaders said they will continue outreach and thanked retiring committee members for their support. The committee reiterated its openness to continued liaison work and to scheduling presentations that help families understand services and supports.