Local Plan
M
adera
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ounty
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ffice
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ducation
Cecilia A. Massetti, Ed.D. Superintendent
Claudia Norris, SELPA Director
28123 Avenue 14T
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Local Plan
Governance
I. Agreement regarding the organization, implementation administration and
operation of the Madera-Mariposa Special Education Local Plan Area
II. Governance Structure and Administrative Support
III. Distribution of Federal and State Funds
IV. Development of the Local Plan
V. Community Advisory Committee
VI. Public
Participation
VII. Responsibilities of Superintendents
Assurances
1. Free and Appropriate Public Education
2. Full Educational Opportunity
3. Child Find
4. Individualized Education Program (IEP) and
Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
5. Least Restrictive Environment
6. Procedural Safeguards
7. Evaluation
8. Confidentiality
9. Part C, Transition
10. Private Schools
11. Local Compliance Assurances
12. Interagency
13. Governance
14. Personnel Qualifications
15. Performance Goals and Indicators
16. Participation in Assessments
17. Supplementation of State/Federal Funds
18. Maintenance of Effort
19. Public Participation
20. Rule of Construction
21. State Advisory Panel
22. Suspension/Expulsion
23. Access to Instructional Materials
24. Overidentification and Disproportionality
25. Prohibition on Mandatory Medicine
26. Distribution of Funds
27. Data
28. Reading Literacy
29. Charter Schools
GOVERNANCE
Federal Requirements: 20USl 1412 (a), 20 1413 (a) (1), (20 US 1413 (a)(5)9)
State Requirements: E.C. 56001 (f)¹ 56190-46, 56195,1 (b) (c) 5, 56195.32, 56195,93, 56205 (a)(12)4, 56205 (b)(4)8, 56205 ((b)(5)7, 47640-4764710
I. AGREEMENT REGARDING THE ORGANIZATION, IMPLEMENTATION,
ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATION OF THE MADERA-MARIPOSA SPECIAL EDUCATION LOCAL PLAN AREA
The Madera-Mariposa SELPA was formed under authority of Section 56200 of the State of California Education Code. School district and county office Boards located within Madera and Mariposa Counties hereby form a two-county special education local plan area for the purpose of providing coordinated programs and services to disabled students. The principal goal of the Madera-Mariposa SELPA is to identify all disabled individuals, age birth to 22 years, at the earliest possible age for placement in programs or to provide services designed to help them meet their individual and exceptional needs. Special education programs will supplement the general education to the fullest extent possible. Early Start Programs will provide smooth transition to preschool through coordinated efforts of preschool staff, general education staff and families. Further goals of the Madera-Mariposa SELPA are:
1. Provide a continuum of service options, including general education.
2. Assure that instructional plans are developed according to individual learning needs.
3. Inform the general educational community of the purpose of the SELPA Local Plan and solicit input from school staffs, parents, students and community agencies in the development of special education programs.
4. Place students in the least restrictive environment.
5. Employ nondiscriminatory procedures in the assessment and placement of all students, and make a conscientious effort to enforce this policy in all practices and procedures.
6. Utilize the services of public and non-public agencies and the state residential schools.
7. Work collaboratively within the two counties to provide access to services for all disabled students.
8. Establish and maintain program evaluation, as directed by law, for purposes of local program improvement and providing required state data.
MULTI-DISTRICT / MULTI-COUNTY SELPA
The Madera-Mariposa Special Education Local Plan Area is a two county multi-district SELPA.
GOVERNING BODY
The governing body of the SELPA is the Superintendents’ Council. Members of the Superintendents’ Council are responsible to the governing boards of the local education agencies in the SELPA.
Their allotted votes on the Council shall be as follows:
AREA VOTE
Alview – Dairyland 1 Bass Lake Joint Union 1 Chawanakee Unified 1 Chowchilla Elementary 1 Chowchilla Union High 1 Golden Valley Unified 1 Madera Unified 1 Mariposa Unified 1 Raymond-Knowles Union 1 Yosemite Unified 1 Madera County 1 Mariposa County 1
II. GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
The Madera-Mariposa SELPA’s legal status is that of an unincorporated
association. Each local educational agency shall be responsible for adoption and implementation of the local plan as outlined.
The local education agencies within the Madera-Mariposa SELPA join together to assure access to special education and services for all eligible individuals with disabilities residing in or attending private schools located within the geographic area served by these agencies. In adopting the Local Plan, each participating agency agrees to carry out the duties and responsibilities assigned to it within the plan. Participating agencies may enter into additional contractual arrangements to meet the requirements of applicable federal and state law.
RESPONSIBILITY OF PARTICIPATING AGENCIES
In adopting the Local Plan, each participating local education agency agrees to carry out the duties and responsibilities assigned to it within the plan. Each agency shall provide special education and services to eligible students within its boundaries, including: 1) students attending private schools; or 2) charter schools where a local education agency of the SELPA has granted that charter. In addition, each agency shall cooperate to the maximum extent possible with other agencies to serve individuals with disabilities who cannot be served in the local education agency of residence programs. Such cooperation ensures that a range of program options is available throughout the Madera-Mariposa SELPA.
The Madera County Superintendent of Schools shall serve as the responsible local Administrative Unit for the SELPA to perform functions such as receipt and distribution of funds, provision of administrative support and coordination of the implementation of the plan.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCY BOARD MEMBERS
The Boards of the counties and districts of this Special Education Local Plan Area have the overall responsibility for the development,
implementation, and operation of this Local Plan, by which there is assured access to special education and services for all disabled individuals, birth to 22 years, residing in the geographic region, or attending private schools,served by the Plan.
This responsibility is exercised and discharged through the adoption and implementation of this Plan and by the designation of Madera County Superintendent of Schools as the Administrative Unit responsible for the provision of those centralized services as specified in law.
Changes or amendments to the permanent portion of the Madera-Mariposa Local Plan may be considered during the annual service and budget plan process. The Governance Council can adopt amendments to the permanent portion of the local plan on an “interim” basis, not to exceed one year. Amendments approved in this manner would become permanent upon subsequent approval by all LEA governing boards and the California Board of Education.
Adoption of the Local Plan requires consent of all participating Boards. Individual policy changes will be approved through the Superintendents’ Council, as the efforts and decisions of the Council facilitate this
unanimity.
Local education agency boards shall:
1. Exercise authority over, assume responsibility for, and be fiscally accountable for special education programs operated by the agency.
2. By approving the Local Plan, enter into an agreement with other local education agencies participating in the plan, for the purpose of delivery of regional services and programs.
3. Review and approve revisions of the Madera-Mariposa SELPA Local Plan for Special Education.
4. Participate in the governance of the Madera-Mariposa SELPA through their designated representative to the Superintendents’ Council. The governing boards provide the Superintendents’ Council with the authority to act as the board designee to approve and amend policies as necessary.
5. Establish this Local Plan as their comprehensive policy statement regarding the provision of special education programs and related services. SELPA Superintendents shall approve any subsequent policy development or budget revisions.
6. Adopt the Local Plan which requires consent of all participating boards. Substantive amendments also require consent of all Boards.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCY ADMINISTRATORS
Local education agency administrators of special education are responsible for the coordination of special education service and programs within their agencies and for the implementation of the Local Plan. The administrators participate on the Program Administrators’ Council and, on an ad hoc basis, Advisory Committees.
1. SUPERINTENDENTS’ COUNCIL
There shall be an administrative committee called the Superintendents’ Council.
A. The Superintendents’ Council is composed of a Superintendent from each of 12 districts and county offices within the SELPA.
B. Their allotted votes on the Council shall be as follows:
AREA VOTE
Alview – Dairyland 1 Bass Lake Joint Union 1 Chawanakee Unified 1 Chowchilla Elementary 1 Chowchilla Union High 1 Golden Valley Unified 1 Madera Unified 1 Mariposa Unified 1 Raymond-Knowles Union 1 Yosemite Unified 1 Madera County 1 Mariposa County 1
C. Two thirds of the voting members shall be present to constitute a quorum. A two-thirds of those present that constitutes a quorum will be sufficient votes to approve any actions.
D. The Superintendents’ Council will meet at least four (4) times annually; this will not preclude additional or emergency meetings as needed. The SELPA Director will provide, at least (5) working days before the meeting, an agenda to each superintendent, outlining the issues to be included in the meeting. The Superintendents’ Council will approve major operational decisions in the SELPA such as but not limited to the following:
(1) Sets policy and direction for the SELPA
(2) Advises the County Superintendent, through a sub-committee, in the selection, supervision and evaluation of the SELPA Director.
(3) Approves SELPA financial actions including: distribution of special education funding to local educational agencies that operate special education programs and services; development of cost containment agreements and
procedures; approval of the Regionalized Services budget. (4) Monitors the appropriate use of federal, state and local
funds allocated for special education programs. (5) Reviews and approves needed modification of this
agreement. Adopts amendments to the permanent portion of the Local Plan.
(6) Approves the SELPA-wide annual service and budget plans, and subsequent modifications.
(7) Approves the operations manual and handbooks to assist in the implementation of the Local Plan. These
implementation tools are not considered a permanent portion of the Local Plan and are included in the Local Plan as reference materials only.
E. The Superintendent’s Council chairperson shall be elected by the the Superintendents’ Council for a term of two (2) years. If the chairperson is unable to attend a Superintendents’ Council meeting, the chairperson will appoint a substitute chairperson for the meeting.
F. The SELPA Director will serve as the Executive Secretary to the Superintendents’ Council and will provide staff assistance to the Superintendent’s Council.
G. The Superintendents’ Council will make recommendations to the Board for action, including but not limited to recommendations regarding policies and procedures.
2. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORS’ COUNCIL
Program Administrators Council will serve as the advisory committee to the Superintendents’ Council and will carry out those functions specified in state law and the Local Plan. The council is responsible for providing a vehicle for
communication, consultation and coordination of special education services. The Program Administrators Council shall be composed of the special education designee from each local educational agency. Program Administrators are
appointed by the superintendent of the school district in which they are employed. The SELPA Director shall serve as the chairperson of the Program Administrators’ Council. The Program Administrators’ Council may perform duties including but not limited to the following:
a) Recommend actions regarding operations and programs for special education in the Madera-Mariposa SELPA
b) Recommend policies, procedures and financial options to Superintendents’ Council.
c) Review and recommend needed modification of this agreement, the Local Plan, to Superintendents’ Council.
d) Provide program/services and coordination within the SELPA to assure the availability of appropriate special education to all eligible individuals with disabilities.
e) Review and recommend all procedural handbooks developed for use in the Madera-Mariposa SELPA to Superintendents’ Council.
3. AD HOC COMMITTEES
On an ad hoc basis, working committees of program administrators shall act as a recommendation body to the Program Administrators’ Council regarding
operational policy. Recommendations formulated by the working committee approved by the Program Administrators’ Council will be forwarded to the
Oversight Committee or the Superintendents’ Council for final review and approval.
4. SCHOOL DISTRICTS’ RESPONSIBILITIES
Each district in the Madera-Mariposa Special Education Local Plan Area may operate special education programs and services as specified in the Madera-Mariposa SELPA Plan.
The type, number and location of classes, programs, and services will be approved by the Superintendents’ Council, with consideration of the recommendations of the Program Administrator’s Council.
If a district chooses to operate the program(s) it will do so under the following conditions:
y Income is derived from the district’s federal and state allocation and general fund contribution (encroachment).
y The operator has hiring/firing rights and responsibilities.
y The program will be operated by guidelines established by the Madera-Mariposa Special Education Local Plan Area.
y All transfer of programs must also follow the program timelines and funding provisions specified in all applicable sections of the Education Code 56207(b).
5. ADDITIONAL DISTRICT RESPONSIBLITIES:
Each participating district will also be responsible for: A. Procedures:
y Meeting the legal requirements for procedural safeguards.
y Assuring equal access to all programs and services operated by the district.
y Monitoring the appropriate use of federal, state and local funds allocated for special education programs.
y Utilizing the same Management Information Forms.
y Uniformity in procedures and guidelines for determining eligibility.
y Placing a student in a comparable special education program when an identified special education student moves into the Madera-Mariposa SELPA. An IEP review will be held within 30 days of an interim placement.
y Providing parents with access to the Madera-Mariposa SELPA Parent Handbook, upon referral of each child to special
y Providing parents with an up-to-date copy of their rights, in their primary language or mode of communication, and a list of free or low cost legal services when requested.
y Providing parents with information on local alternatives to due process, including informal SELPA Review or Alternative Dispute Resolution.
y Implementing the decision of a complaint investigation or due process hearing officer.
y Paying any attorney(s) fees required as a result of mediation or an administrative or court procedure.
y Providing and coordinating transportation for special education students residing in the district as recommended in the IEP.
y Assuring full educational opportunity to all students residing in the district.
B. Transfers: The date on which the transfer will take effect may be no earlier than the first day of the second fiscal year beginning after the date on which the sending or receiving agency has informed the other agency and the governing body or individual identified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 56205, unless the governing body or individual identified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 56205 unanimously approves the transfer taking effect on the first day of the first fiscal year following that date.
C. Discipline: Essentially, discipline policies in effect at a school site are inclusive of the disabled, except as modified by IEP team decision, as specified in state and federal law, and incorporated into the child’s IEP, and are a site principal responsibility. Suspension and expulsion of those receiving Special Education services carry specific regulations. D. “Child Find” activities, as well as initial assessments, are the primary
responsibility of the district of residence. Districts may assist one another in meeting these responsibilities through a coordination of available resources. Even though the Madera-Mariposa SELPA has anticipated the provision of a full range of special education programs and services in accordance with known needs, in those instances in which all potential placements have been explored and exhausted and no appropriate public special education program is available, a non-public school placement will be offered. Such placement shall be the responsibility of the school district of residence and subject to the approval of the local school board.
E. Due Process: Any decisions or judgments, which are the result of a due process procedure, shall be the responsibility of the district of
residence. Complaints including compliance complaints filed against the LEA shall be the responsibility of the program operator in
collaboration with host district.
F. Staff Development: Each participating school district shall cooperate with the SELPA in the provision of staff development activities as specified in applicable sections of the Education Code.
G. Accountability: Each school district shall provide program, employee, student and fiscal accountability, budget preparation, staff acquisition/ training and state, federal and local reporting.
H. Planning and Program Evaluation: Each school district, through the Superintendents’ Council and the Program AdministratorsCouncil will assist the SELPA in a regional planning, annual student and program
evaluation, and fiscal reports as required by State and Federal laws and regulations.
I. Facilities for special education students will be provided by district the responsible and/in collaboration with program operator.
J. Annual Services and Budget Plans: Each school district is responsible for approving only its portion of the annual services and budget plans. The development of annual services and budget plans should coincide with the local district budget process.
6. PROGRAM OPERATOR RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Identification, referral and placement of special education students will be done in accordance with Education Code Sections 56300 et.seq., requirements and pertinent CCR Title 5 regulations.
B. Each program operator and school district, in accordance with State and Federal laws and regulations, will follow procedural safeguards. C. Each program operator shall follow interagency agreements between
the State Department of Education and other public agencies and agreements between the SELPA and other public agencies.
7. ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT and SELPA ADMINISTRATOR
The Madera County Superintendent of Schools serves as the
Administrative Unit for the Madera-Mariposa SELPA. The Administrative Unit receives and distributes all special education funding; accepts required funding for grants; adopts policies governing regionalized and district operated programs and services, and distributes funds to districts and counties operating special education programs and services. Each member Board approves the Madera-Mariposa SELPA Local Plan.
8. SELPA STAFF
SELPA DIRECTOR
A sub-committee of superintendents will advise in the selection,
supervision, evaluation, and discipline of the SELPA Director, who will be an employee of Madera County Superintendent of Schools. The SELPA Director provides assistance and serves as a special education
administrative resource to all the participating agencies.
The fundamental role of the SELPA Director is to provide leadership and facilitate the decision making process. The role of the SELPA Director includes the provision of information, specific services identified by the Superintendents’ Council, technical assistance, leadership and
arbitration. It is the SELPA Director’s responsibility to represent the interest of the SELPA as a whole without promoting any particular local education interest over the interest of any other agency. In the event there are differences of opinions and/or positions on issues, it is the SELPA Director’s responsibility to mediate a reasonable resolution of the issue(s).
THE ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT AND THE SELPA DIRECTOR, AS ITS DESIGNEE, ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR:
A. Developing and providing forms and manuals that will assist the districts in complying with procedural safeguards.
B. Coordinating services to disabled students with districts and other local public agencies through negotiation of agreements, understandings and ongoing dialogue to assure that all
students with exceptional needs have equal access to all programs and services in the Madera-Mariposa SELPA. C. Providing assistance, upon request, in due process
proceedings. The Due Process assistance may include: reviewing with parents/guardians local alternatives to Due Process, such as:
y Informal SELPA review with the SELPA Director or designee
y Alternative Dispute Resolution.
y Advising the district on the results and required corrections of any due process proceedings. If assistance involves serving as the district’s
representative in due process proceedings, the SELPA Director is not a respondent or responsible party. SELPA assistance is not intended to take the place of legal representation, which will be an option of the district of residence.
D. The Administrative Unit will only be responsible for
implementing any corrections or results of a mediation or due process proceeding when the Administrative Unit was the respondent or responsible party. The district(s) is responsible for implementing any corrections or results of a mediation or due process proceeding when the district(s) is the respondent or responsible party.
E. The Administrative Unit will be responsible for paying attorney fees only when the Administrative Unit was the respondent or responsible party. The district(s) are responsible for attorney fees when the district(s) is the respondent or responsible party.
SELPA PROGRAM SPECIALIST
Under the direction of the SELPA Director, the Program Specialist will be a member of the Special Education Local Plan Area office staff and will provide consultation, technical assistance and training for the LEA’s special education staff, administrators, and general education teachers as well as provide support and assistance for parents of special education students.
The Program Specialist will serve as a member of the Program Administrators’ Council.
The Program Specialist will oversee the WorkAbility programs throughout the SELPA and participate in Region 4 WorkAbility 1meetings.
A more detailed description of the Program Specialist duties are
contained in the SELPA Program Specialist job description, maintained by Human Resources, Madera County Superintendent of Schools.
9. REGIONALIZED OPERATIONS
A. Funds for regionalized operations and services and the direct instructional support of program specialists shall be apportioned to the special educationlocal plan areas. As a condition to receiving those funds, the special education local plan area shall ensure that all functions listed below are performed in accordance with the description set forth in its local plan adopted pursuant to Section 56205: (a) Coordination of the special education local plan area and the implementation of the local plan.
(b) Coordinated system of identification and assessment.
(c) Coordinated system of procedural safeguards. (d) Coordinated system of staff development and parent and guardian education.
(e) Coordinated system of curriculum development and alignment with the core curriculum.
(f) Coordinated system of internal program review, evaluation of the effectiveness of the local plan, and implementation of a local plan accountability
mechanism.
(g) Coordinated system of data collection and management.
(h) Coordination of interagency agreements. (i) Coordination of services to medical facilities. (j) Coordination of services to licensed children's institutions and foster family homes.
(k) Preparation and transmission of required special education local plan area reports.
(l) Fiscal and logistical support of the community advisory committee.
(m) Coordination of transportation services for individuals with exceptional needs.
(n) Coordination of career and vocational education and transition services.
(o) Assurance of full educational opportunity.
(p) Fiscal administration and the allocation of state and federal funds pursuant to Section 56836.01.
(q) Direct instructional program support that may be provided by program specialists in accordance with Section 56368.
The following are the local interagency agreements and their effective dates: Agency Date of Agreement Madera County Behavioral Health Services 6-15-06
Mariposa Behavioral Health 6-15-06 California Children’s Services 6-22-06 Central Valley Regional Center 6-30-06
III. DISTRIBUTION OF FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDS
All federal and state special education funds shall be allocated to the SELPA Administrative Unit for distribution to local education agencies according to an approved Special Education Funding Allocation Plan. federal and state special education funds.
RESPONSIBILITIES FOR DISTRIBUTION OF FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDS
The governing boards of the local education agencies participating in the SELPA have agreed that students with disabilities will be provided with appropriate special education services. The Superintendents’ Council has been designated the authority to determine the distribution of all federal and state special education funds in order for local education agencies to carry out their responsibilities. The Administrative Unit shall be responsible for the distribution of the funds according to an approved Special Education Funding Allocation Plan. The SELPA Director is responsible to ensure that the funds are distributed in accordance with the funding allocation plan.
The SELPA Administrative Unit shall develop the Annual Budget Plan for review and approval by the Superintendents’ Council. The Superintendents’ Council shall make the Annual Budget Plan available to the local education agencies and the Community Advisory Committee upon approval.
PROVISION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES TO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
It is the intention of the SELPA to provide a full continuum of services to students with disabilities, including students in charter schools, throughout the geographic region of the SELPA. Access to services is through each of the local education agencies. The referral, assessment and IEP process is utilized to identify the needs of each individual student with disabilities. The local education agencies have committed to policies and procedures to assure that students will have appropriate services provided in the least restrictive environment.
The Program Administrators’ Council shall identify, on a regular basis, any unmet needs for students within the SELPA. When services are required beyond the programs and services being provided by any local education agency, the Program Administrators’ Council shall develop a plan for consideration by the
Superintendents’ Council. Any plan having a fiscal impact on local education agencies shall be reviewed and approved by the Superintendents’ Council.
The SELPA Director and Program Administrators’ Council shall develop the Annual Services Plan for review and approval by the Superintendents’ Council. The
Annual Services Plan shall be made available to the local education agencies and the Community Advisory Committee upon approval.
MONITORING THE USE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDS
Funds allocated for special education programs shall be used for services to students with disabilities. Federal funds under Part B of IDEA may be used for:
1. The costs of special education and related services and
supplementary aids and services provided in a regular class or other education-related setting to a child with a disability in accordance with the IEP for the child, even if one or more non-disabled children benefit from these services.
2. To develop and implement a fully integrated and coordinated services system.
The SELPA Director and the Administrative Unit shall, through the annual budget process, be responsible for the monitoring and appropriate use of all funds allocated for special education programs. The Superintendents’ Council through the Annual Budget Plan process shall make final determination and action regarding the appropriate use of special education funds.
PREPARATION OF PROGRAM AND FISCAL REPORTS
The SELPA Director, with the assistance of the Administrative Unit, shall be responsible to prepare all program and fiscal reports required of the SELPA by the State.
Amendments to the Permanent Section of the Local Plan
The Superintendents’ Council may change or adopt amendments to the permanent portion of the Local Plan. Amendments approved in this manner shall become permanent upon subsequent approval by all local education agency governing boards and the State Board of Education.
Amendments to the Annual Service and Budget Plans
The governing boards of the local education agencies agree to designate authority to the Superintendents’ Council to approve the SELPA-wide annual service and budget plans and any subsequent modifications.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
In the event of a disagreement among local education agencies, and/or the Administrative Unit and the SELPA regarding the distribution of funding,
responsibility for service provision and any other governance activities specified in the Local Plan, it is the intent of the Superintendents’ Council that issues be resolved at the lowest level possible in the governance structure outlined in the Local Plan. The Superintendents’ Council is considered to be the board of last resort. The decision of the Superintendents’ Council shall be final.
SELECTION OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE LOCAL PLAN
The Local Plan shall be developed and updated cooperatively by a committee of representatives of special and general education, teachers, administrators,
representatives of charter schools deemed to be local educational agencies within the SELPA, and with participation by parent members of the Community Advisory Committee (CAC), or parents selected by the Community Advisory Committee to ensure adequate and effective participation and communication.
Roles in the Development of the Local Plan
1. The SELPA Director shall be responsible for the coordination of the development of the Local Plan. The SELPA Director shall include input from representatives of charter schools, preschools, general education and special education teachers, and site administrators.
2. The Community Advisory Committee membership includes: special education parents, regular education parents, persons with a disability, special education teachers, regular education teachers, representatives from community agencies, support staff and administrators. The role of Community Advisory Committee in the development of the Local Plan is to:
• Provide input
• Provide a forum for members of the public, including parents or guardians of individuals with exceptional needs who are receiving services under the plan to address questions or concerns
• Review drafts
• Make recommendations
• Will have thirty days to review the final plan before submission 3. The role of the Program Administrators in the development of the Local
Plan is to:
• Review the input
• Review drafts
• Provide input
• Make recommendations
• Review the final plan before submission to Superintendents’ Council
4. The Superintendents’ Council membership includes a superintendent representative from each district and county office of the Madera-Mariposa SELPA. The role of Superintendents’ Council in the development of the Local Plan is to:
• Review the recommendations
• Review drafts
• Provide input
• Review and approve the final plan for submission to local governing boards for approval
IV. EVIDENCE OF PARTICIPATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LOCAL PLAN
The membership of each of the groups involved in the development of the Local plan are as follows:
General Educators
Loretta Pesetski, Principal Nancy Isaacs, Alternative Education
Chawanakee Unified Madera County Office of Education
Special Educator
Nancy Crupi, Teacher
Madera County Office of Education
Special Education Administrators
Kathy Gropp, Director Trudy Kinsel, Coordinator
Madera Unified School District Bass Lake School District
Cheryl Mohr, Director Nancy Damm, Special Education Director
Madera County Office of Education Mariposa County/Mariposa Unified
Cecilia Massetti, Associate Superintendent
Madera County Office of Education
Charter School Representatives
Steve Carney, Executive Director
Pioneer Technical Center
Preschool Representative
Sharon Malang, Program Director
Madera County Office of Education
Community Advisory Committee Chair
Charles Genseal, Parent and CAC Chair
Parent
Jennifer Bursey
SELPA Director/Executive Secretary
Claudia Norris
Madera-Mariposa SELPA
The dates of meetings to review and provide input to the development of the Local Plan follows:
Meeting Dates
02/14/07 03/12/07 04/18/07
V. COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Involvement of parents and community in the local education process is a goal of high importance to the Madera-Mariposa SELPA. Likewise, the involvement of special and regular education teachers is of high importance. It is expected that this goal will be facilitated through the Madera-Mariposa Community Advisory Committee.
The Madera-Mariposa Community Advisory Committee is formed to advise school districts, County Offices of Education and the SELPA Director on matters
pertaining to the planning and implementation of special education programs and services throughout the Madera-Mariposa SELPA as authorized and described in Education Code Sections 56190 et seq and in the Madera-Mariposa SELPA Plan for Special Education.
MEMBERSHIP
Community Advisory Committee is composed of general and special education parents, agency representatives, general and special education teachers, and persons with disabilities, support staff, and administrators. Community Advisory Committee is also responsible for reviewing the Local Plan, including annual service and budget plans and providing ongoing input on special education services, accountability and outcomes and fiscal allocation of resources in accordance with State and Federal education code and regulations.
MAJORITY OFCOMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CAC)
The Madera-Mariposa SELPA will function per approved CAC Bylaws. The Community Advisory Committee will maintain a diligent effort to gain and maintain membership through notices, workshops, flyers, and newspapers notices.
A majority of the Madera-Mariposa Community Advisory Committee shall be composed of parents of students enrolled in schools, which are participants in the Madera-Mariposa SELPA, and a majority of those parents shall be parents of students enrolled in special education.
As required, the Committee membership consists of at least 50% parents drawn from throughout the SELPA and a majority of these parents are parents of special education pupils.
a. Recruitment of parents is made by means of formal and informal contacts, which include notices requesting participation published in local newspapers.
b. Recruitment of teachers is through requests for membership
addressed through officers of the various teachers’ organizations and associations.
c. Recruitment of related agency representatives is made by the SELPA Director; otherwise, all LEA’s share equally in the recruitment process.
d. The Community Advisory Committee functions and performs duties in an advisory capacity.
e. Community Advisory Committee will support activities on behalf of individuals with exceptional needs by Community Advisory Committee activities such as:
1. Distribution of flyers or information
2. Developing and sponsoring special projects
The SELPA Director shall provide reports to Community Advisory Committee regarding Program Administrators Council and Superintendents’ Council actions, particularly as they relate to Community Advisory Committee recommendations. These reports may also include current trends within the SELPA, state and nation related to special education and the effect of those trends on special education programs and services within the SELPA.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Community Advisory Committee may advise the SELPA Director on the planning and operation of the SELPA. Such responsibilities may include all of those defined in the SELPA Plan, including, but not limited to, the following:
1. Reviewing the Special Education Local Plan; and providing ongoing input on special education services, accountability and outcomes.
2. Recommending annual priorities to be addressed by the Plan; 3. Advocating, supporting and assisting in parent education;
4. Assisting in recruiting parents and other volunteers who may contribute to the implementation of the plan;
5. Encouraging community involvement in the development and review of the Local Plan;
6. Providing active support of students with disabilities;
7. Providing reviews and input in the development of SELPA policies, procedures handbooks and forms.
VI. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Members of the public, including parents or guardians of students with disabilities, may address questions or concerns to the governing boards of the local
educational agencies, the Superintendents’ Council, and the SELPA Director. On matters of policy and budget development the Community Advisory Committee and all other interested parties are welcome to provide input to the SELPA Director and Program Administrator for review prior to Superintendents’ Council meeting.
VII. RESPONSIBILITIES OF SUPERINTENDENTS
The superintendents of each participating local education agency shall be responsible for special education programs operated by the agency and for implementing all requirements of the Local Plan.
Each LEA superintendent is responsible for providing input and/or
recommendations to and from his/her Board regarding policies, procedures and operation of the special education programs through his/her representative on the Superintendents’ Council.
