SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Purpose:
To advise the School Board, through the Superintendent, of needs in the education of students with disabilities and to also identify programs that are working well and that should be continued and/or enhanced;
To assist in the formulation and development of long-range plans, which will provide services, needed for students with disabilities in the Falls Church community;
To participate in the development of priorities and strategies for meeting the identified needs of students with disabilities;
To submit periodic reports and recommendations regarding the education of students with disabilities through the Superintendent to the School Board;
To assist the School Board in interpreting to the community the plans for meeting the needs of students with disabilities for educational services; and
To review annually the Falls Church special education plan and the application for federal funding prior to the presentation to the School Board for approval for submission to the Department of Education.
Authority: School Board Policy 5.12 (I-6)
School Board Liaison: Amie Murphy, School Board Member
Division Staff Liaison: Rebecca Sharp, Executive Director of Special Education & Student Services
FCCPS Annual Plan: FCCPS Annual Plan 2023 (4) (1).pdf
2024-25 Committee Members
Kate Ashbrook
Marianne Downs
Amanda Hoffman
Kathy Gillaspy — Chair
Sundeep Hora
Johanna Robinson
Rachel Sanders
Lindsay Scanlon
Aimee Urquhart
Kate Mahr, FCCPS Staff
Amie Murphy, FCCPS School Board Liaison
Rebecca Sharp, FCCPS Executive Director of Special Services
Ashe Stoner, Meridian High School Student Representative
Appointment Month:
May & June
Term:
July 1 - June 30 for three years
Composition:
Nine parents/community members and one teacher
Meetings:
1st Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
2024-2025 Meeting Dates & Locations
October 7, 2024 - Central Office
November 4, 2024 - Jessie Thackrey Preschool
December 16, 2024 - Central Office
February 3, 2025 - Mount Daniel Elementary
March 3, 2025 - Oak Street Elementary
April 7, 2025 - Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
May 5, 2025 - Meridian High School
June 5, 2025 - Central Office
How to Attend a Meeting:
Members of the community are always welcome to attend our committee meetings as scheduled per the school calendar.
How to Submit Public Comments:
The FCCPS SpEAC welcomes public comment and attendance at our meetings. Members of the public are welcome to submit requests for live public comment or written comments to Executive Director of Special Education & Student Services, Rebecca Sharp (rsharp@fccps.org) by 6:30 pm the evening of the meeting. Public comments are limited to a total of 15 minutes, with individuals being allowed 3 minutes to speak. This time may not be shared or given to another person. Please remember public comments are for global system comments or issues. If you have individual student issues, those should be shared with the Special Education Administrator and/or the Principal of your student(s) school.
How to Apply to the Committee:
Committee terms are from July 1 - June 30 for three years. Please complete the FCCPS Advisory Committee Application to be considered. The FCCPS School Board appoints all members.
Please contact Amie Murphy FCCPS School Board Member and/or Rebecca Sharp, Executive Director of Special Education & Student Services, for more information.