Skip To Main Content

Find It Fast

Staff Directory

CAC Meeting Minutes January 18, 2023

Community Advisory Committee on Special Education Meeting

Wednesday January 18, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. 

meeting information below agenda

MINUTES

6:02 Start: Welcome and Introductions

  1. Opening – CAC Chair Julie Wong: Introduced the staff to parents. Ms. Wong made opening statements, CAC mission, reminder for the expected etiquette, and expected educational partners forum comments time.
    1. Roll Call – CAC Secretary Ivan Flores 15 Members / 39 Participants (In-person 23 / online 16) – Quorum was established, and CAC business took place

6:05p – 6:15p: CAC Business

  1. New member vote: Veronica M. requested the membership to accept her application to join CAC.  Eileen C. made the motion to accept the new member. Natalie T. seconded the motion.  Vote: 15 Yeas / 0 Nays. Motion passes to accept new member
  2. Minutes:
    1. November: Eileen C made the motion to accept the September Minutes with no corrections. Amy A. seconded the motion.  Vote: 15 Yeas / 0 Nays. Motion passes to accept November Minutes

6:15p – 6:25p: Elementary Science Curriculum Adoption

Darcy Williams, Teacher on Special Assignment, presented a PowerPoint on New Science Book adoption for teaching the subject in Elementary schools.  It was an opportunity to review and provide parental feedback on the suggested science textbooks for the Board of Education to potentially adopt. 

6:25p – 6:35p: Winter Session Celebration and Feedback

V.M. – Family was happy to receive the invite to participate in the zoo camp.  However, on the first day their student had a bathroom accident and did not go back. 

Susana – parent called zoo ahead of time and was told by zoo staff the student wasn’t able to attend zoo camp because of his autism needs.  So, she did not send her student.

E.C. – Transportation did not pick up her student and she had to drive her student to the camp/activity.

A.A. – Music camp worked well for her student after a rough first day. She felt that the camp help maintain the routine of school for her student with autism services. 

Anonymous – Winter camp should have better cleaning routines.  Hand and foot disease was rampant at the school site. 

6:35p – 7:05p: “Empowering Children and Families: Exceptional Parents Unlimited Children’s Center”

EPU’s Jen Dote and Veronica Cortez provided a presentation and interactive discussion on this topic.  It was simultaneously provided in English and Spanish. 

7:05p – 7:25p: Educational Partners Forum

Anonymous – Parent has 2 children with Autism needs. Alleges that staff walk with head down and attendance is falling.  Her students don’t want to go to school as had too many negative experiences.  Her request for assessment has been denied.  Staff will meet with parent to discuss.

A.V. – Her student has many medical needs, needs surgery, and from the beginning requires HHI placement.  Wants her student to receive appropriate teaching.

V.M. – Her student has autism services and a recent trauma has caused him to relive years ago incident when a teacher pulled on his ears. He has now regressed and needs counseling.

Anonymous – her student is 4 y/o diagnosed with Autism and ODD.  Alleges that it took 6 months for assessment and signed IEP.  Communication with staff has been poor re: diaper changes and care.  However, over the course of school year things have improved. 

Dr. Virnig – There will be a Job Fair on January 26, 2023, from 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM.  Mostly for Paraprofessionals and Paraeducators. 

7:30p: Closing and Adjournment

CAC email address (cac@fresnounified.org) to email agenda items for the upcoming meeting or next month’s meeting

Meeting Information

The Community Advisory Committee on Special Education, or CAC, invites you to participate in our monthly in-person meeting at Parent University. The address is 850 N. Blackstone Ave., Fresno, CA 93701.

  • The phone number to Parent University is (559) 457-3390.
  • Both Spanish and Hmong interpretation will be provided
  • Refreshment will be served. 
  • Childcare will be provided as well. 

Thank you and we look forward to welcoming you at the meeting. 

Online Option

If you cannot make the CAC meeting in person you can attend the meeting on Microsoft Teams. Please note that the online meeting will be in English only. Spanish, Hmong and Sign Language Interpretation will be provided in person.

Link to Team Meeting: CAC Microsoft Teams

Next Scheduled CAC Meeting

February 15, 2023, at Parent University

We appreciate your attendance at our meetings

Your support of Special Education is Vital