Only three people have applied for a spot on a committee that would advise the Columbus Municipal School Board of Trustees on the district’s handling of services for students in special education.
The board in September announced it would create the Special Education Advisory Committee — a nine-member body consisting of parents, CMSD and other community members — to field concerns about the district’s special education services and relay those concerns to trustees.
Donna Jones, director of the district’s special education services, reported the tepid response from applicants during Tuesday’s board meeting. A committee of district staff is tasked with appointing the advisory committee members.
While Board President Angela Verdell noted she had hoped for more response, she also pressed Jones to have the committee begin meeting while she awaits other applicants.
“We really encourage parents and the community to consider participating on this advisory committee,” Verdell said after Tuesday’s meeting. “The board is anxious to hear what parents and others have to share about opportunities for improving the services that we provide to the students in our SPED programming.
“We want to make sure that we’re very open and engaging our community for committees such as this one,” she added.
Jones told the board she had mailed applications to the addresses of all the children in the district’s special education program. The application is also on the school district’s website.
She also invited district parents to meetings in May and August, she said, focused on concerns about SPED services, as well as forming the advisory committee.
Board member Jason Spears asked Jones to hold another meeting to ensure that people had the chance to learn about the committee and pick up applications. Not everyone has a permanent address or access to the website at home, he pointed out.
To apply for the committee, go to http://www.columbuscityschools.org/parents-needed-special-education-advisory-committee/.
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