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Parents organize to rebuild Mendon-Upton Special Education Parent Advisory Council
Summary
Parents at the family night launched efforts to re-form the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (CPAC), outlined statutory advisory responsibilities, and invited families to sign up to serve on the council and collaborate with district leaders.
Parents at the Mendon-Upton family night moved to reconstitute the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (CPAC). Felicia, a parent of a sixth-grader at Misco, said the CPAC is "parent run and parent led" and described a statutory advisory and participatory function: advising the district on matters that pertain to the education and safety of students with disabilities and participating in planning, development and evaluation of district special education programs.
Felicia walked families through how to join: a sign-up form collects contact information, school, and level of desired involvement (email updates, board membership, or committee tasks). Typical CPAC roles can mirror PTO structures (co-chairs, secretaries, a treasurer if fundraising through a 501(c)(3)), a school liaison and working committees. She encouraged use of MassPAC resources and a CPAC toolkit to help with bylaws, outreach and advocacy.
Presenters and district staff urged parents to show up to meetings and sign up on distributed flyers and QR codes; staff said CPAC membership helps shape district policies and programs. District staff pledged that parents who participate will have their input considered in planning and implementation of student support services.
No formal election or bylaws were completed at the event; organizers said the first formal steps will be an initial meeting to elect officers, adopt bylaws and set near-term goals.
