Hopedale Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Bylaws

Article I — Name & Authority 

Section 1. Name
The name of this organization shall be the Hopedale Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). 

Section 2. Authorization
SEPAC is established as an advisory council in accordance with Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) guidelines related to parent involvement and special education. 

Section 3. Purpose
SEPAC exists to support families of students with disabilities enrolled in Hopedale Public Schools, to provide information and resources, advise the district on special education services, and strengthen family-school partnerships. Hopedale SEPAC promotes a network for parents and guardians of children with disabilities and provides a forum of parents, guardians, students and Hopedale’s Pupil Personnel Services to share information and discuss matters of relative interest and concern regarding our children. This forum will enable its participants to share information and discuss pertinent issues; to develop, maintain and share tools and resource guides; and to raise awareness of children with disabilities.  

Membership, Leadership, and District Responsibilities 

In accordance with Massachusetts law and guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), each school district is required to establish a Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). 

Legal Authority 

Under M.G.L. c. 71B, §3, every school district must establish a Special Education Parent Advisory Council for the purpose of: 

1. Advising the School Committee on matters that pertain to the education and safety of students with disabilities. 

2. Meeting regularly with school officials to participate in the planning, development, and evaluation of the district’s special education programs. 

DESE guidance further clarifies that SEPACs are intended to be parent-led and open to all parents and guardians of students with disabilities in the district. 

Article II — Mission 

SEPAC’s mission is to: 

1. Provide a welcoming, equitable forum for all families of students with disabilities. 

2. Share information about rights, services, programs, and resources. 

3. Advise the Hopedale School Committee and Administration. 

4. Promote collaboration across local districts (including Blackstone Valley area) when beneficial. 

5. Use creative platforms and resources to engage families with minimal barriers. 

Article III — Membership 

Section 1. Eligibility 

Membership is extended to members of the community as listed below. It is expected for Board Members to attend as many meetings as possible. General Members are also encouraged to attend all meetings with the understanding they will contribute to their time where possible. The Hopedale SEPAC shall be comprised of the following:  

Membership is open to: 

• Parents/guardians of students with IEPs or 504 plans in Hopedale Public Schools 

• Caregivers and family members 

• Community members with interest in special education advocacy 

Section 2. Voting Members
Voting members are parents/guardians of students currently receiving special education services in Hopedale. 

Section 3. No Dues
Membership shall remain free of charge. 

Article IV — Council Composition 

Section 1. Officers
The Council shall include, at minimum: 

1. Chairperson/Co-chair 

2. Vice Chairperson 

3. Secretary 

4. Treasurer 

Section 2. Terms
Officers serve three-year terms. Re-election is permitted. 

Section 3. Eligibility
Officers must be voting members. 

Membership & Leadership 

Membership in the Hopedale SEPAC is open to all parents and caregivers of students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or Section 504 Plans enrolled in Hopedale Public Schools. There are no dues or membership requirements. 

The SEPAC is designed to be a parent-led advisory body. Officers (Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, etc.) are elected from among parent members when participation levels are allowed. 

When There Are Limited Participation 

DESE guidance recognizes that districts may experience periods of limited participation. However, the statutory obligation to maintain a SEPAC remains with the district. 

If there are insufficient parent volunteers to serve as officers or if participation is minimal, the district will: 

1. Maintain a SEPAC structure and ensure public notice of its existence. 

2. Schedule and host at least one annual Special Education Parent Rights Presentation. 

3. Provide meaningful opportunities for parent input through meetings, surveys, forums, or virtual engagement. 

4. Compile and present parent feedback to the School Committee. 

5. Continue outreach efforts to recruit and support parent leadership. 

6. Post SEPAC information and resources on the district website. 

7. Explore collaborative programming with neighboring districts (e.g., Blackstone Valley communities) to provide access to educational workshops and resources. 

While the district may temporarily facilitate meetings or administrative functions, DESE guidance emphasizes that SEPACs are advisory bodies intended to be parent-led whenever possible. 

Article V — Meetings 

Section 1. Regular MONTHLY Meetings
SEPAC will minimally convene for events listed below:  with additional informal gatherings. 

• 1 formal annual meeting 

• 1 annual rights presentation 

• 1 feedback collection opportunity (survey or forum) 

• Ongoing access to administration 

Section 2. Annual Events
Required events include: 

1. Annual Rights Presentation — a presentation designed to inform families of their rights under IDEA and state regulations. 

2. Annual Feedback Presentation to the Hopedale School Committee — a summary of parent input, concerns, and recommendations. 

Section 3. Creative Outreach Events
In addition to monthly meetings, SEPAC shall plan alternative engagement opportunities such as: 

• Informal Connection Evenings 

• Resources shared online 

• Surveys and interactive feedback platforms 

Section 4. Accessibility
Meetings are scheduled both in person and virtually. Translations and childcare support will be provided when possible. Zoom link will be provided at least 48 hours prior to meetings, will be posted on our website/social media.  

Article VI — Collaboration with Other Districts 

Section 1. Regional Partnerships
SEPAC may participate in joint workshops or resource-sharing with neighboring Blackstone Valley district SEPACs (e.g., Milford, Uxbridge, Mendon-Upton), provided alignment with Hopedale’s mission and family needs. 

Section 2. Shared Resources
Examples of possible collaborations: 

• Shared expert speakers 

• Joint parent education series 

• Combined family resource guides 

Article VII — Responsibilities of Officers 

Chairperson/Co-Chair 

• Presides at meetings 

• Liaises with district administration and School Committee 

• Ensures Annual Rights Presentation and Annual Feedback Presentation are scheduled 

Vice Chairperson/Co-Chair 

• Fills in for Chairperson 

• Helps organize events and programming 

Secretary 

• Records meeting minutes 

• Maintains attendance and documentation 

• Manages email lists and calendar notifications 

Treasurer 

• Responsible for managing the organizations resources, assets and financial health 

Communications & Outreach Coordinator 

• Maintains online presence (website/social media) 

• Designs flyers and newsletters 

• Coordinates surveys and digital engagement 

Current officers will fulfill all positions for the 2026-2027 school year.

Article VIII — Annual Requirements 

Section 1. Annual Rights Presentation 

• Must be scheduled each academic year 

• Covers:
  • Federal and state special education rights
  • Procedural safeguards
  • How to prepare for IEP meetings 

• Delivered in a family-friendly format (in-person + recorded options) 

Section 2. Annual Feedback to School Committee 

• A written and/or verbal summary presented to the School Committee 

• Outlines parent perspectives, collected feedback, and suggestions 

Article IX — Decision-Making 

Section 1. Consensus
SEPAC seeks consensus but may use majority vote for decisions. 

Section 2. Quorum
A quorum consists of at least 3 voting members. 

Article X — Amendments 

These bylaws may be amended by: 

• A majority vote of voting members present at a meeting 

• After at least 10 days' notice to members 

Article XI — Accessibility & Inclusion 

SEPAC shall: 

• Provide interpretation and translation as needed 

• Offer multiple avenues for participation (digital, in-person, asynchronous) 

• Collect ongoing input for what resources families need most 

Article XII — Communication Policy 

SEPAC will share information through: 

• Email newsletters 

• Social media 

• School district website 

• Flyers at school events 

Article XIII — Conflict of Interest 

Officers with personal or professional interests related to topics discussed shall disclose conflicts and recuse themselves from votes on relevant matters. 

Article XIV — Resource Sharing 

In collaboration with the Hopedale Family Engagement Center, the SEPAC will support a central resource directory that may include: 

• Local support groups 

• State agency contacts 

• Recommended private providers 

• Educational tools and apps 

This directory will be updated regularly and available online. 

Commitment to Family Engagement 

Hopedale Public Schools remains committed to ensuring that families of students with disabilities have: 

• Access to accurate and understandable information about special education rights 

• Opportunities to provide feedback 

• A forum for collaboration with district leadership 

Families interested in participating in SEPAC leadership or programming are encouraged to contact the SEPAC board directly 

SEPAC Compliance in a DESE Coordinated Program Review (CPR) 

SEPAC compliance falls under Special Education Criterion SE 3:  

Special Education Parent Advisory Council. 

Legal Basis 

• M.G.L. c. 71B, §3 

• DESE Special Education Regulations & CPR Criteria 

What DESE Looks For During CPR 

1️⃣ Existence of a SEPAC 

The district must demonstrate that: 

• A SEPAC exists. 

• It is open to all parents/guardians of students with disabilities. 

• It is parent-led (even if currently facilitated by the district due to low participation). 

Evidence DESE may request: 

• Bylaws 

• Website page 

• Public notices or flyers 

• Meeting announcements 

2️⃣ Advisory Role to the School Committee 

DESE verifies that the SEPAC: 

• Advises the School Committee on matters related to special education programs and services. 

• Has a mechanism for communicating input to district leadership. 

Evidence: 

• Meeting minutes showing discussion of program issues 

• Presentation to School Committee 

• Written feedback summaries 

• Superintendent or Director of Student Services acknowledgment 

3️⃣ Meeting “Regularly” With School Officials 

The law requires SEPAC to meet “regularly” with school officials. 

Important: 

• DESE does not define a required number of meetings. 

• CPR teams look for reasonable evidence of engagement. 

• Even limited meetings can be compliant if outreach and advisory functions occur. 

Evidence: 

• Meeting agendas 

• Attendance sheets 

• Virtual meeting logs 

• Email correspondence showing collaboration 

4️⃣ Parent Outreach & Access 

DESE looks at whether families: 

• Are informed that SEPAC exists. 

• Have meaningful opportunities to participate. 

• Receive information about special education rights. 

Best practice evidence: 

• Annual rights presentation 

• Survey tools 

• Multilingual access 

• Website accessibility 

5️⃣ When There Is Minimal Participation 

If there are few or no active parent leaders, DESE evaluates whether the district: 

✔ Maintains the SEPAC structure
✔ Continues outreach attempts
✔ Hosts at least one annual parent rights session
✔ Provides opportunity for input
✔ Shares feedback with the School Committee 

What CPR Does Not Require 

•  A specific number of meetings 

• A specific number of officers 

• A minimum attendance number 

• A separate independent website 

• A fundraising structure 

Practical Compliance Checklist for Hopedale 

To remain comfortably compliant during CPR, the district should maintain: 

• Current bylaws 

• Website presence 

• At least one annual rights presentation 

• At least one feedback opportunity 

• Documentation of outreach 

• Documentation that feedback was shared with the School Committee 

Even with historically low engagement, this structure satisfies DESE expectations if documented. 

 CPR SEPAC Documentation Checklist 

Criterion SE 3 – Special Education Parent Advisory Council 

I. Required Legal Foundation 

Statutory Basis: M.G.L. c. 71B, §3 

☐ District has formally established a SEPAC
☐ SEPAC is open to all parents/guardians of students with disabilities
☐ SEPAC has an advisory role to the School Committee
☐ SEPAC meets “regularly” with school officials 

II. Governance & Structure 

☐ Current SEPAC bylaws (dated and adopted)
☐ Officer list (if applicable)
☐ Evidence that officers are parent volunteers (if participation allows)
☐ Public description of SEPAC mission and purpose
☐ Website page dedicated to SEPAC 

If no active officers:
☐ Documentation showing district facilitation due to low participation
☐ Evidence of ongoing recruitment efforts 

III. Meetings & Engagement Evidence 

☐ Meeting notices (emails, flyers, website posts)
☐ Agendas
☐ Minutes or summaries
☐ Attendance sheets or virtual logs
☐ Email communications showing collaboration 

If meetings are limited:
☐ Documentation of alternative engagement (surveys, forums, webinars)
☐ Documentation of outreach attempts 

IV. Advisory Role to School Committee 

☐ Evidence that SEPAC provided input to district leadership
☐ Annual written or verbal report to School Committee
☐ Meeting minutes reflecting presentation or feedback
☐ Superintendent or PPS acknowledgment of advisory input 

V. Annual Parent Rights Presentation 

☐ Notice of annual Special Education Parent Rights Presentation
☐ Agenda or slide deck
☐ Presenter information
☐ Attendance record (if available)
☐ Posted recording or materials (if virtual) 

VI. Family Outreach & Accessibility 

☐ Website includes SEPAC contact information
☐ Information available in multiple languages (if needed)
☐ Accessible meeting formats (virtual option, ADA compliance)
☐ Evidence of inclusive outreach efforts 

VII. Collaboration (If Applicable) 

☐ Documentation of joint workshops with neighboring districts
☐ Shared resource materials
☐ Communication with regional SEPACs (e.g., Blackstone Valley districts) 

(Note: Collaboration is optional but considered best practice.) 

Suggested CPR Binder Organization 

Tab 1 – Legal Authority & Bylaws
Tab 2 – Website & Public Notices
Tab 3 – Meeting Documentation
Tab 4 – Annual Rights Presentation Materials
Tab 5 – School Committee Feedback Documentation
Tab 6 – Outreach & Recruitment Efforts
Tab 7 – Collaboration (Optional)