About Us

The Wappingers Special Education Parent Advisory Council is a volunteer organization, established by the Department of Special Education, comprised of parents, teachers, and school administrators from Wappingers Central School District. Headed by Dr. Raymond Healey, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services and Special Education, SEPAC members advise Dr. Healey on matters pertaining to the education of children with special needs from the ideas and suggestions we receive from parents, teachers and administrators.  SEPAC members also serve as a resource and advisor to parents of children with special needs.

Mission

The WCSD Special Education Parent Advisory Council is a solution oriented council that exists to serve parents and to ensure that the needs of children with disabilities are met.  

Purpose & Goals

To realize its mission, SEPAC will:

  • Advise Dr. Raymond Healey, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services and Special Education and assist parents to ensure their children with disabilities have access in the general curriculum to the maximum extent possible.
  • Work with parents and the Wappingers Central School District staff to ensure IEP elements are objective, measurable and achieved and that the observed measure of progress is understood by all parties involved.
  • Provide in WCSD a forum to conduct a Parent Needs assessment, Parent Survey and Basic Rights Workshops related to special education.
  • Advise and work in partnership with the Assistant Superintendent for Student Services and Special Education on decisions made with regard to development and implementation of special education programs, and help develop policy.
  • Support high-quality, intensive professional development for all personnel who work with such children in order to ensure that they have the skills and knowledge necessary to enable them to: i) meet developmental goals, to the maximum extent possible, those challenging expectations that have been established for all children; ii) to be prepared to lead productive, independent, adult lives, to the maximum extent possible under IDEA 1401.
  • Assist WCSD in developing, implementing and monitoring an improvement plan.
  • Develop practices and policy within WCSD that promote SEPAC's ability to communicate and work with parents, teachers, and students, and promote its existence.
  • Offer an open door policy respecting parents and student confidentiality so that all concerns can be raised and acted upon.
  • Provide information to parents and WCSD staff on how to communicate with local, state and national organizations, other councils and groups.

Membership

Our organization is open to parents & guardians of children with special needs and anyone who is interested in special education in the WCSD as follows: General Membership is open to any resident and or person affiliated with the WCSD. Voting membership is required to vote in annual officer elections and other business. Voting Membership is any general member, educator, parent or guardian of a child with special needs affiliated with WCSD who has attended at least four meetings of the WCSD SEPAC over a 10 month period or has requested voting status in writing to the Secretary at least one month prior to the final voting date.

Meeting Dates:

SEPAC meets every 3rd Tuesday of the month, from 7:00pm–8:30pm at the Hollowbook Park, Building #3, 2nd Floor, 29 Marshall Road, Wappingers Falls, NY.  For additional information about SEPAC, please contact: Mary Ward at 845-298-5000, x140 or e-mail us at: wcsdsepac@yahoo.com.
Last updated April 22, 2004
By Bonnie Marshall & Gina Andress