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District introduces special-education family liaison and confirms shared services for deaf and hard-of-hearing
Summary
The committee introduced Lauren Molendorf as the district family engagement liaison for special education (DFEL), described the liaison role and training, and approved a 66.03 shared-services agreement with Elmbrook Schools for deaf and hard-of-hearing services.
At the start of the meeting administration introduced the district’s new special-education family engagement liaison and invited Lauren Molendorf to speak about the role. “I'm Lauren Molendorf. We've been a part of the Merton School District now. My daughter's in 4th grade,” she said, explaining she completed DFEL training and wants to be a parent resource for families navigating IEPs.
Administration explained the Wisconsin Statewide Parent Educator Initiative sponsors the DFEL program and that DFELs complete training and ongoing networking. Molendorf said the liaison role is designed to provide parent-to-parent assistance, help families find resources and offer a trusted first contact for those new to special-education processes.
Later the committee approved a 66.03 shared-services agreement with Elmbrook Schools to provide deaf and hard-of-hearing services on an hourly, as-needed basis. Administration described the agreement as a long-standing consortium arrangement that gives the district access to a unique skill set when required.
Why it matters: the DFEL adds a family-facing resource for parents of students with IEPs, and the Elmbrook agreement maintains access to specialized services the district does not routinely staff in-house. Administration said it will share DFEL contact information and continue outreach to families.
