Jean Lewandowski

As a retired teacher of children with disabilities, I know the value of parent and student involvement in education, so I support this bill as long as it is amended to include this provision: “The council shall be composed of a maximum of 11 parents of students with disabilities or students with disabilities, with at least one member representing each town in the district.” This amendment is essential to ensure SEPACs remain focused on elevating the voices of those most directly impacted and maintaining alignment with the goals of supporting children with disabilities and their families. Organizations like the proposed SEPACs are known to improve communication, increase parental involvement, and provide access to free resources.  Children with disabilities and their parents work hard to overcome barriers. We ask for your support in helping build infrastructure to connect families with each other, create more inclusive schools and elevate the voices of those with the most intimate knowledge of what works.