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Subscribe to the AB SEPAC Newsletter – Subscribe to the AB SEPAC newsletter to receive updates regarding special education and disability-related issues impacting students in the ABRSD. This is the AB SEPAC’s primary way of reaching caregivers with news, events, and resources. Please email abrsdsepac@gmail.com with any questions. You can also follow us on Facebook.
ACTON ITEM! Vote YES for the Override 4/30 in the Acton Town Election & 5/6 at Acton Town Meeting – Passing the override is critical to the future of our schools. Those interested in getting involved in the campaign to help pass the override should visit togetherforacton.org. The override must pass the Acton Town Election on 4/30/24 AND at the Acton Town Meeting on 5/6/24. The Boxborough town meeting is on 5/13/24.
What’s On the Line for Special Education?
At the request of the School Committee, the Superintendent developed two FY25 budgets. The adopted “A” budget has $3M in projected cuts should an override pass. These include a number of items directly impacting special education and other reductions that will have ripple effects for Students With Disabilities. The “B” budget projects the full $9.5M cuts should an override fail.
Special Education “A” Budget Cuts
These are the special education cuts in the “A” budget as adopted by the School Committee on 2/15/24. These cuts will take place even if an override passes.
– reduced professional development for Special Education Assistants & ABA Tutors
– Assabet Valley Collaborative wraparound program
– 1.0 Assistant Special Education Director
– 1.0 Elementary Special Educator [1 restored due to advocacy efforts]
– 2.0 Elementary Special Education Assistants [4 restored due to advocacy efforts]
– 1.0 Junior High Pathways ABA Tutor
– 1.5 Junior High Special Education Assistants
Additional Special Education “B” Budget Cuts
Along with the “A” budget cuts above, these are the additional special education and some related cuts in the “B” budget in the event an override fails.
– Cartwheel Care direct mental health support for students
– 0.6 Social Emotional Learning & Mental Health Coordinator
– 2.0 Elementary Special Educators
– 4.0 Elementary Special Education Assistants
– 2.5 Junior High Special Education Assistants
– full Junior High Team, including 1.0 Special Educator [teams to be combined]
– 1.0 High School Special Education Assistant
– 2.0 Counseling [combining STAR and Academic Support Center; STAR supports students returning from hospitalization]
– 0.475 STAR Tutor
Where Can I Learn More?
The district has a website with information about the FY25 budget. School Committee meeting recordings are available online at ActonTV. The School Committee’s Budget Saturday on 2/10/24 included a presentation regarding special education. That recording can be found here.
Acton-Boxborough FY25 Budget FAQ
The AB SEPAC has developed an FY25 FAQ document regarding special education and the budget. This will be updated as needed.
3/27 & 4/24 Acton-Boxborough New IEP Form Webinars – Massachusetts has a new Individualized Education Program (IEP) form for the first time in over 20 years. The ABRSD Special Education Department with the AB SEPAC held a webinar on 3/27 to go over what is the same and what has changed with the new form. Click here to access the recording of our first webinar. Here’s a link to the new IEP form to follow along.
On Wednesday, 4/24, from 3-4 p.m., the ABRSD Special Education Department with the AB SEPAC will host a second recorded webinar about the new MA IEP form. This presentation will go into greater depth, sharing examples of content and resources to support families and IEP teams in using the form. Questions can be emailed in advance to abrsdsepac@gmail.com.
To attend the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81338564818
Webinar ID: 813 3856 4818
5/1 Acton-Boxborough SEPAC Business Meeting – Join the AB SEPAC on Wednesday, 5/1, at 7 p.m. over Zoom for our next business meeting. We will hear updates from the Director and Assistant Director of Special Education, discuss advocacy regarding the district’s FY25 budget gap, and talk about other issues pertaining to students with disabilities in our schools.
To join the meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
Meeting ID: 879 6972 1432
NEW Federal Assistive Technology Guidance – Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), every time an IEP Team meets to develop, review, or revise a student’s IEP, they are required to factor whether the child needs Assistive Technology (AT) devices and services. Here are some examples of AT by disability type. The US Department of Education has issued a new “Dear Colleague” letter and accompanying guidance with myths and facts about AT devices and services. You have the right to request an Assistive Technology evaluation to help determine what is appropriate for your student to access their education.
Autism Recommendations to the ABRSD – In June 2023, the AB SEPAC sought feedback from parents/guardians of students with Autism in the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District. The AB SEPAC’s goals were to establish 1) what is currently working well for families and 2) what would help to improve programming and services for students with Autism. Many of these best practices are already incorporated in some schools and programs. The AB SEPAC seeks the broader adoption of these practices as appropriate for individual students given the wide range of needs represented in the Autism disability category. Click here to access the AB SEPAC Autism Recommendations.
Elementary IEP Progress Reporting – After years of advocacy, the AB SEPAC is happy to announce that starting in 2023-2024 all in-district elementary school students with IEPs will receive IEP progress reports three times per year, in December, March, and June. IEP progress reports are to be issued concurrently with general education report cards. Because some A-B elementary schools do not issue gen ed report cards, students in those buildings previously only received two IEP progress reports per year while others received three. This change brings consistency and equity to the process.
Save the Dates! 2023-2024 AB SEPAC Business Meetings – The Acton-Boxborough SEPAC will meet at 7 p.m. on the following Wednesdays during the coming school year: September 20 (RJ Grey library), October 18 (RJ Grey library), November 15 (Zoom), December 6 (RJ Grey library), January 17 (Zoom), February 7 (RJ Grey library), March 13 (Zoom), April 3 (RJ Grey library), May 1 (Zoom), June 5 annual meeting & officer elections (Parker Damon library).
The Zoom information for all remote meetings is the same:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
Meeting ID: 879 6972 1432
Additional meetings may be added as needed. *Why Wednesdays? As an advisory committee to the Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee, AB SEPAC business meetings are scheduled to respond in a timely fashion to items before the ABRSC.
Basic Rights Webinar – Missed our annual Basic Rights in Special Education workshop? Need information now about how to navigate the special ed process or your rights as an IEP team member? You can watch a recorded version of the presentation from the Parent Training and Information Center at the Federation for Children with Special Needs here. The Federation offers free online basic rights workshops on an ongoing basis. Topics include understanding the IEP, evaluations and eligibility, transition planning for ages 14+, the new IEP form, and more. Visit their events calendar to learn more and register.
Donate |
- Donate through our 501(c)(3) to help us provide quality speakers, workshops, and social events for our community. To give, please send a check payable to “Friends of AB SEPAC” c/o Erica Abbruzzese, 7 Madison Lane, Acton, MA 01720. Thank you for your support!
Get Involved |
- The AB SEPAC has two email lists, one for news about upcoming events and activities, the other for direct communication between parents/guardians of children with disabilities.
- To become more involved, please see our volunteer page.
- For further information about the AB SEPAC, contact us at abrsdsepac@gmail.com.