Sparta SEPAG

10:00am 1/28/2015 Minutes

Mr. Tobin introduced Mrs. Judith Geddis.
Mrs. Geddis spoke about her experience as a Special Education teacher and administrator
in the Sparta School District. She highlighted the ABA and life skills program she had
spearheaded for Autistic children.
A question was asked by an SEPAG member: What is the process for a students
transition back into the district? A discussion followed. It was suggested that the
transition process be added to the Special Services website. It was mentioned that a
SPAN representative would be an impartial liaison who could work with the case
manager for such a transition.
SEPAG website creation was discussed. SEPAG co-president Tara Shagawat had met
with the districts webmaster and it was decided that a SEPAG link would be added to
the Sparta district website. This would link to the SEPAG-administered web page.
The current Department of Special Services web information was discussed. It was noted
that the job title for the Director of Special Services job description was missing from the
site.
Mrs. Geddis was asked a question: What is the process for transitioning of students
between schools within the Sparta district. It was suggested that there has been a lack of
consistency in some instances regarding case manager communication during student
transition to different schools.
Mrs. Geddis suggested that there should be a representative from the new school building
present at a childs IEP meeting when transitioning to a new school.
A SEPAG member pointed out that case managers havent always contacted parents by
September when a child receives a new case manager. Mrs. Geddis said she would pass
this information on at her monthly meeting with the case managers. It was suggested by a
SEPAG member that a form letter be sent to parents by the Special Services office
announcing case manager assignments prior to the start of the school year.
It was brought forth by a SEPAG member that building principals rather than the Director
of Special Services had been observing Special Education classes. The question was
asked of Mrs. Geddis: is this appropriate if the building administrators are not trained in
Special Education? Mrs. Geddis responded that she would investigate this situation.
It was suggested to Mrs. Geddis by a SEPAG member that some programs used in the
Special Ed. Classrooms, such as Reading Streets, are actually general ed. programs.

Mrs.Geddis introduced the DAWN Socialization and Recreation Life Skills Program and
a flyer was distributed. A SEPAG member asked a question of Mrs. Geddis: Could the
Sparta district incorporate this program into the ESY? Mrs. Geddis will investigate this.
Co-president Ellen Willwerth put the SEPAG Bylaws forth for a vote by show of hands.
They were accepted by a majority vote.
The SEPAG survey was discussed. Dr. Varley will be contacted by the SEPAG copresidents to determine how to send out the survey.
It was suggested that an Ebrite account be established to announce SEPAG workshops.
The SPAN Parent/Educator workshop was discussed. It was decided that this should be
scheduled later in March so as not to conflict with the PARCC assessments.
A question was asked by a SEPAG member: Will a Genesis go out regarding the SEPAG
link and web page? It was decided this would take place as soon as the web page is
constructed.
The possibility of mailing out a SEPAG introduction rather than only a Genesis was
discussed.
It was decided that the February SEPAG meeting would take place on 2/26/2015 at
7:30pm in the Sparta High School MRC.
The meeting adjourned at 12:00pm.