Carmel board advances planning for Special Education Parent Advisory Council, schedules follow-up work session

Board members discussed next steps for a proposed Special Education Parent Advisory Council (CPAC), reporting recent meetings with district administration and outlining options for community engagement, a board work session and potential consultant support.

Miss Wheeler and Mrs. Cashion said they met with district administrators to review existing policy 9140 and agreed that policy and design work should proceed in parallel. Mrs. Kok described CPAC’s intended role: "It shifts culture. It deepens partnerships between the school and home environments," and said CPACs aim to reduce disputes and foster early resolution by improving parent understanding of special education processes.

Board members debated whether the next formal step should be a focused work session, an ad hoc committee or a board-appointed committee subject to open meetings laws. Several members recommended a targeted work session with administration and possible participation from Mendy Kulie, a Westfield CPAC founder who offered to consult; Insourc was noted as offering an initial hour of support.

Superintendent (addressing the board) said administration is ready to support surveys, meetings or consultant work and asked the board to clarify its desired path. Board members emphasized the importance of broad parent input and clear chartering so the group can become parent-led once established.

The board agreed to schedule a follow-up meeting with administration and identified topics for a work session: clarifying the CPAC mission and outcomes, determining how to solicit parent feedback, and assessing whether a committee or a public work session best fits the district’s legal and engagement needs.