Fresno Unified School District
CAC Meeting Minutes March 19th, 2024
Start: 6:04 pm Welcome (Chair Wong)
CAC stands for the Community Advisory Committee for Special Education, a volunteer group composed predominately of parents of children with special needs who attend school within the Fresno Unified School District. CAC is a group of parents, school personnel, and other community members, who work together to ensure that children with special needs receive the best education available. Fresno Unified is required by law to have a CAC.
CAC is parents advocating for children with special needs. CAC meets once a month to identify the needs of students with special needs in our District, and advises the District on issues relating to special education. CAC works to provide information to parents and also listens to parents’ concerns. CAC’s ultimate purpose is to participate in a partnership with the school district that enhances the education of each child with special needs.
Expected Etiquette/Public Comment
Recognize and respect differences of perspective and style of the CAC among members, staff, students, parents/guardians and the community.
Act with dignity and understand the implications of demeanor and behavior.
When speaking of your concerns, please do not use your student’s name or the school location. Please respect the confidentiality and needs of your student.
Thank you and welcome.
Roll Call & Agenda Approval (Secretary Flores & Chair Wong)
Business: Roll call: 34 Present in person/ 3 online Quorum: 15 members were present – YES
Agenda Approval
Motion to accept: 1st: _Kathy E. / 2nd: _Patricia C. – Yeas: 14 / Nays: 0
Previous Months Minutes (Chair Wong) : Membership reviewed and no changes were suggested.
Motion to accept: 1st: Cara F. / 2nd: Jen D. – Yeas: 14 / Nays: 0
•Old Business/New Business (Secretary Flores): No old business
•Membership (Secretary Flores): No new members applied into CAC.
New Business (Chair Wong): As allowed under the CAC By-Laws Section 4.2.10 Vacancies: Amy Aoki has been appointed to the Vice Chair position. She is a Fresno Unified School District parent and has an active IEP within the district.
6:00 – 7:00pm Guest Presentation
LCAP Presentation
6:14 PM State &Federal Programs Ashlee Chiarito Bourdase explained what and how the Local Control and Accountability Plan provides funding to the district’s many areas, she explained the timelines involved to complete it, opportunities for parent engagement, how many constituents participated, and the top themes of their outreach. Area Staff members Vicente Cantu and Miguel Vega were in attendance to answer any questions. For more information: Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) | Fresno Unified State & Federal Programs
Workability and Alternative Education Diploma
Michael Fletcher Manager III: Presented on the District Gradutaion rates, Individualized Transition Plans (beginning at age 16 years old planning on future employment and living goals) and the Alternative Pathway Diploma (a new state-defined track for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities that take the California Alternative Assessment) for student enrolled in the district’s ALPS programs.
New Business (Chair Wong): Mr. Fletcher’s presentation on Workability was motioned to be moved to next month’s agenda due to his presentation on Alternative Education being very informative and taking more time than allotted. Motion to accept: 1st: Kathy E. / 2nd: Betty W. – Yeas: 14 / Nays: 0
7:15 pm – Educational Partners Forum (Chair Wong)
Teacher: stated his concerns that the Alternative Pathways Diploma would significantly increase teacher documentation and IEP responsibilities.
Parent: Requested information on what were the differences between Autism – Mild/Moderate Services and Autism Inclusion Services.
Parent: Had questions on a gap in Iep services with regards to stated and agreed upon IEP services and actual implementation. In particular, co-teaching services in higher high school grades are not available although they are written on the IEP. FUSD Special Education Staff to investigate the situation.
7:39 pm Closing and Adjournment:
Chair Wong announced the meeting dates for The Village parent meetings. Patrick Morrison announced The Rock your Socks: Down Syndrome Day on March 21, 2024: Support us by wearing lots of socks! But not just any socks… wear brightly colored socks, long socks, printed socks, 1 sock, even 3 socks for 3 chromosomes.
Upcoming Meetings:
CAC Meeting April 17th, Wednesday, 6:00pm to 7:30pm
Location: Parent University
The Village Parent & Guardian support group meeting March 21st , Thursday
Location: Addicott Elementary 5:30pm-7:00pm
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.
We are delighted to offer childcare services during our meeting upon request, catering to children aged 4-12 years old. To ensure we can accommodate your childcare needs during your attendance at our CAC meeting, kindly complete the following Child Care Survey.
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 and Hmong Interpretation will be provided in person.
Link to Team Meeting: Click here to join the meeting
Next Scheduled CAC Meeting
April 17th, Wednesday, 6:00pm to 7:30pm
Location: Parent University
We appreciate your attendance at our meetings
Your support of Special Education is Vital
Who is CAC?
CAC stands for the Community Advisory Committee for Special Education, a volunteer group composed predominately of parents of children with special needs who attend school within the Fresno Unified School District. CAC is a group of parents, school personnel, and other community members, who work together to ensure that children with special needs are receiving the best education available. Fresno Unified is required by law to have a CAC.
What does CAC do?
CAC is parents advocating for children with special needs. CAC meets once a month to identify the needs of students with special needs in our District, and advises the District on issues relating to special education. CAC works to provide information to parents and also listens to parents’ concerns. CAC’s ultimate purpose is to participate in a partnership with the school district that enhances the education of each child with special needs.
Expected Etiquette/Public Comment
Recognize and respect differences of perspective and style of the CAC among members, staff, students, parents/guardians and the community.
Act with dignity and understand the implications of demeanor and behavior.
When speaking of your concerns, please do not use your student’s name or the school location. Please respect the confidentiality and needs of your student.
Thank you and welcome.