Amador County – The Amador County Office of Education’s Special Education Learning Plan Area’s Community Advisory Committee has been formed with 15 members, including teachers, parents and other professional, and has set a tentative schedule for making inroads into the community.

The Committee was formed by the Amador County Board of Education and has selected its officers. Dr. David Dutra, a former school board member, has been selected president of the SELPA Community Advisory Committee. Parent Shannon Gibson was selected Vice Chair, and parent Ramona Longero was selected secretary.

Gibson said last week that the Committee has set some tentative outreach programs, including a meet-and-greet with the new, 13-member committee. She said they plan the meet-and-greet for January; a presentation in March; and a school-year-end recognition banquet in May.

Gibson said the SELPA Community Advisory Committee also has set its mission statement. She said their mission is “providing information, education and support to families with students with exceptional needs.”

They plan to give handouts, brochures and improve website information to “let people know we are formed and we can be that common ground that parents and teachers can go to.”

The Committee includes special education teachers, retired school board members, parents and business owners. Theresa Hawk, the School District SELPA director, is also ex officio member of the Committee. School Board Trustee Lynnette Lipp represents the school board on the Committee. Other members include Susan Manning, Steven Parker, Jody Schinnerer, Kari Koche, Jeni Dewalt, Stacy Johnson, Dorothy Putnam-Smith and Sheryl Barghourn.

Gibson said the SELPA Community Advisory Committee has met five times, and next meets 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, at the Board of Education Office. Following this week, they will meet the first Tuesday of each month. The meetings are open to the public.

The March presentation will be aimed toward families. The May year-end recognition will be for the special education community, including teachers, students and businesses who employ special education students. Gibson said it will be a celebration and recognition.

Minutes from the October meeting noted that members suggested they “concentrate on parents and make them strong and then focus on the community.” Dutra suggested making contact with all special education classes and contacting “parents in charge” and having them assist the Committee in doing outreach to others.

Gibson said they plan to send special invitations to special education parents, in the form of a flyer in December, which will have a “save the date” postcard on the upcoming tentative outreach dates, along with surveys for families.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.