QUINCY SCHOOL COMMITTEE
SPECIAL EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING
A meeting of the Special Education Subcommittee was held on January 15, 2025 at 6:00 pm in the Coddington Building. Present were Mrs. Courtney Perdios, Special Education Subcommittee Chair and School Committee Member Mrs. Emily Lebo. Also present were Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Erin Perkins, Ms. Catherine Carey, Ms. Lisa Chan-Ianetta, Ms. Kim Connolly, Mr. Michael Draicchio, Ms. Julie Graham, Ms. Jill Kyranis, Ms. Jennifer Leary, Mr. Michael Marani, Ms. Maura Papile; Quincy Special Education Parent Advisory Council Board members Ms. Melissa Ricci and Ms. Sarah Wood; and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.
Special Education Director Julie Graham, accompanied by Coordinator Jen Leary and Team Administrators Catherine Carey, Lisa Chan-Ianetta, and Jill Kyranis presented on Special Education Rights & Responsibilities. The presentation stressed the collaboration between the family and school and allows for the parents and staff to participate in special education matters as knowledgeable partners. The Quincy Public Schools Special Education department operates under the state’s Special Education law for Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA).
A student is eligible for Special Education if they have one or more disabilities, they are not making effective progress in school as a result of the disability(ies), and the student requires specialized instruction to make effective progress. There are thirteen types of disabilities defined in state and federal regulations: autism, developmental delay, sensory impairment (hearing, vision, and hearing and vision), neurological impairment, emotional impairment, communication impairment, physical impairment, health impairment, specific learning disability, and multiple disabilities. Special Education is a specially designed instruction to meet the unique needs of an eligible student and/or related services necessary to access and make progress in the general curriculum.
The timeline is up to 45 working days following the consent to evaluate a student, including evaluating the student, a team meeting to determine eligibility, development of the IEP and determination of placement, and proposed IEP and placement to parent within 10 calendar days of team meeting. Services would begin upon parent consent.
There are six Special Education principles: (1) Parent and Student Participation; (2) Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE); (3) Appropriate Evaluation; (4) Individualized Education Program (IEP); (5) Least Restrictive Environment (LRE); (6) Procedural Safeguards. These principles support the student-centered nature of the process and the rights of parents and students above age 14 to participate in the planning of specific, measurable goals, decision-making activities, and to be assessed in non-discriminatory fashion with appropriate notifications for each stage of the process.
Mrs. Lebo asked how many students have multiple disabilities, Ms. Graham said that approximately 50% of students have a primary and secondary diagnosis.
Mrs. Lebo asked for information about the extracurricular activities. Ms. Graham said that the focus is on assisting students to participate in their school clubs, athletics, and activities, providing transportation and paraprofessional support where needed.
Mrs. Lebo noted that the Boston Globe recently had a series on DESE’s Problem Resolution System, Ms. Graham said that Quincy has a few families who use the system in a given school year.
Mrs. Perdios asked about the student goals for the new IEP format, Ms. Graham said this is a good addition to the process, gives the Team Administrators a good sense of who the students are.
Mrs. Perdios asked about high school students and goals for post-high school. Ms. Graham confirmed that the transition to adult life is an important part of the IEP development for older students. It has always been part of the IEP process, but it is found at the beginning of the new IEP format.
Ms. Sarah Wood and Ms. Melissa Ricci presented the Quincy Special Education Parent Advisory Council update to School Committee, starting with introducing the 2024-2025 SEPAC Board members. Successful goals for last year included providing resources and educational opportunities to support mental health through educational presentations; providing training opportunities for staff and caregivers; continued engagement with preschool, out of district, and RDLC students and families (including adding Pre-Kindergarten students to gingerbread and Valentine’s events and surveying families); and continued engagement with transitional age students and families (14-22 years old). Ms. Wood complimented the Quincy High School Culinary department, they have been especially supportive of the gingerbread event.
Ms. Wood spoke of the challenges for families of students who will continue to need supports after they age out at 22. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there are lengthy waiting lists for day programs and independent living in group settings. Ms. Wood said the responsibility is on the parents to create a community for their young adults as they move beyond their school years.
Mrs. Perdios complimented the SEPAC collaboration and partnership with Quincy Public Schools, dynamic group of parents. Mrs. Perdios asked about the Transitional planning information such as guardianship, Social Security, and health insurance; Ms. Graham confirmed this information is shared with families. Ms. Wood said the Caregiver Support meetings have been a good forum for sharing information.
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to adjourn at 6:50 pm, seconded by Mrs. Perdios. On a voice vote, the ayes have it.