Because SEPACs must comply with the Open Meeting Law, they are required to post notices/agendas about their meetings and maintain minutes to comply with the Public Records Law. The Massachusetts Public Records Law provides that every person has a right to access to public information. This right
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MassPAC Home SEPAC Basic Toolkit Resource Fairs Community and Disability Awareness Events SEPACs need to become experts in networking – building and maintaining relationships within their communities. Ways to Get the Message Out The SEPAC will not have access to the list of students receiving specialRead more →
MassPAC Home SEPAC Basic Toolkit Many SEPACs host community resource fairs to help families connect to local special education resources. These resource fairs can be local or regional (a collaborative project among several school districts). These can also be fun events with activities for children (faceRead more →
MassPAC Home SEPAC Basic Toolkit Community and Disability Awareness Events Hosting or co-hosting community events are a fun way to “advertise” the SEPAC and meet new members: Partner with the district pre-school program to organize a “coffee” for parents to provide them with information about theRead more →
MassPAC Home SEPAC Basic Toolkit A Change with respect to following the Open Meeting Law For many years, MassPAC had been advocating that the MA Open Meeting Law should not govern SEPAC activities. SEPACs have an open and undetermined membership (open to all interested parties) and areRead more →
MassPAC Home SEPAC Basic Toolkit Why do SEPACs Exist? SEPACs that have a clear mission tend to be productive and effective. Your SEPAC should review the Massachusetts laws regarding SEPACs to help define their role in the community. A mission statement can guide the actions ofRead more →
MassPAC Home SEPAC Basic Toolkit Following the Rules Under Massachusetts law, SEPACs can establish by-laws regarding officers and operational procedures. By-laws are rules that define how your group operates. A formal structure or framework for conducting SEPAC business can help your SEPAC be effective in an orderlyRead more →
MassPAC Home SEPAC Basic Toolkit Additional Ways - How parents can get involved to advise their communities!Identifying Issues/Member SurveysAdvising the School Committee/Annual Reports A SEPAC is primarily an advisory group. The members represent a broader group of people (all parents of children receiving special education servicesRead more →
Massachusetts regulations state that the SEPAC should “advise the School Committee on matters that pertain to the education and safety of students with disabilities”. Building a relationship with the School Committee is very important. The SEPAC should develop a plan to attend School Committee meetings and/or assign
Read more →A SEPAC needs to have a good pulse on the state of special education in the school district. To learn what the concerns are among parents, many SEPACs conduct a “needs assessment” to identify the greatest areas of need and to assist the SEPAC to meet its
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