FILE: IDDFA
SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Superintendent, prior to January 1, 2020, shall create a Special Education Advisory Council, which shall provide advice and recommendations regarding special education policies, procedures, and resources. The council shall also engage in outreach activities to the community at large to increase the level of knowledge, support, and collaboration with respect to special education.
The number of council members and composition of the council shall be determined by the Superintendent. The Superintendent shall appoint the council members in accordance with the following statutory requirements:
Fifty percent (50%) of the membership shall be parents or legal guardians of students with an exceptionality, other than gifted and talented, who are enrolled in a school under the jurisdiction of the public school governing authority.
Twenty-five percent (25%) of the membership shall be teachers, principals, or paraprofessionals.
Twenty-five percent (25%) of the membership shall be other special education stakeholders.
In selecting council members, an effort shall be made to include parents of students in elementary, middle, and high school grades.
The Superintendent shall designate the chairperson of the council. The chairperson shall be responsible for calling the council’s meetings, preside over the meetings, and establish the agendas for the meetings, all in consultation with the Superintendent.
The Special Education Advisory Council shall meet at least three (3) times during a school year. All meetings of the Special Education Advisory Council shall be subject to the same policies and statutory provisions as regular, special, and committee meetings of the School Board. All meetings shall be open to the public, except in those instances allowed as provided by state law. A majority of the committee membership shall constitute a quorum for holding a meeting and making recommendations. Minutes shall be taken of the proceedings of all Special Education Advisory Council meetings. A written report shall be prepared by the Special Education Advisory Council and submitted to the Superintendent in May of each year regarding its activities.
No liability or cause of action against the public school district, public charter school or other public school, or any officer or employee thereof for any action taken by members of the Special Education Advisory Council.
New policy: October 3, 2019
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 17:1944.1, 42:12, 42:13, 42:14, 42:15, 42:16, 42:17, 42:19, 42:20, 42:24, 42:25
Board minutes, 10-3-19
Desoto Parish School Board