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Parents reestablish CPAC, urge clearer special‑education communication and supports
Summary
The district’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council reported it has reconstituted a full board and prioritized clearer communications, ESY outreach, 18–22 programming feedback, and more inclusive extracurricular access; parents and CPAC members credited improved collaboration with district staff but asked for clearer intake materials and quicker service timelines.
Members of the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (CPAC) told the Mendon‑Upton School Committee they have reestablished governance, increased outreach and want clearer, districtwide communications about eligibility and services.
Speaking for CPAC, Sharon Norton (CPAC president) and fellow officers described monthly meetings, new bylaws, social‑media outreach and regular collaboration with district student‑support staff. Nicole Phillips, Julie Baldiga and Julia Kal said CPAC’s priorities include a predictable calendar of meetings, family workshops, clearer ESY (Extended School Year) information, outreach to under‑represented Mendon families and more visible online resources.
CPAC members said improved collaboration with district staff — including direct monthly meetings with the office of student services — helped rebuild parental confidence. "We met every month with Dr. Alison and student support services to bring issues forward," one member said, noting the group piloted a parent feedback survey and is planning family resource events.
Parents at the meeting pressed for simpler intake materials and faster access to evaluations and services. CPAC and other parents named early identification and quicker evaluation timetables as priorities; district staff and committee members said compliance metrics and corrective‑action progress are public on the district website and that the district recently moved from corrective findings to full compliance in its corrective action plan.
CPAC requested continued partnership on ESY outreach, 18–22 programming and expanded inclusive opportunities for extracurriculars. The committee thanked CPAC for restarting its activities and encouraged recruitment of broader representation from Mendon.
