SCAC Minutes
May 25, 2004

Eileen Kugler opened the meeting and introduced FCPS chief operating officer Tom Brady who was representing the Interim Superintendent.

Kugler said that earlier that day, she had met the preferred candidate for the Superintendency, Jack Dale, and was impressed. Brady said that in his view Dale has the leadership and management skills needed for the position and is committed to kids and instruction. He is also a good communicator. Barbara Allen said that her organization is listening to and observing Dale.

Lynn Terhar said that she saw Dale using many of the right strategies to involve parents.

Lynn Dysart noted that many of those who had been invited to meet with Dale that day had not been able to schedule time to do so because the meeting had been scheduled the previous day. She said she understood why this was unavoidable but asked if further meetings of Dale with community members would be scheduled. Kugler said that Dale had been tuned into FCPS when she met with him. Ben Cooper said that Dale had made his own the issues of those who met with him; he understood what people were saying. Boyce Williams said she had not been invited and asked if minorities had been represented. Kugler said that minorities had been well represented and that many diversity issues were raised in the discussions with Dale. Brady said he guaranteed that Dale would meet with as many community groups as possible.

Barbara Allen said that when Dale was asked what he thought were the five most important FCPS issues his response was vague. Nell Hurley said this was a positive; the community and School Board should identify the issues.

Brady said that the FY 2005 budget will include $18.4 million in additional state aid over what was in the School Board's advertised budget. Brad Draeger has proposed to the Board that this money be used to fully fund maintenance and replacement equipment and to fund several items directly for students, including increases in the number of schools with full-day kindergarten and in after-school programs. After-school programs have a higher urgency right now because the gang issue has a higher profile. Anti-gang programs must involve the entire community.

Williams asked if gangs are racially based and if gang members are coming from out of state. Kugler said that gangs would probably be a subject for discussion at an SCAC meeting next year.

Brady said that the report of the blue ribbon committee on TJHSST admissions would be discussed at a Board work session on June 7.


Kugler introduced Joyce Suydam, Lynn Sprung, Wendy Boehm, and Teresa Johnson for an update on special education issues.

Suydam distributed copies of information that had been previously e-mailed to SCAC members. She commented that, while the School Board had eliminated its target on inclusion because it had been met, a draft of another target on special education emphasizing high schools would be developed and forwarded to the Board. The FCPS special education staff is working with PACE to develop an ABA/VB program with a 2:1 ratio, including a pool of instructional assistants and teachers and coaches and including summer services. There will be a three-year evaluation of the program.

Nell Hurley asked if students stay in their base schools no matter their disabilities. She noted that, with autism, the earlier treatment is started the better. She asked if parents of students in the ABA program would be required to continue treatment at home.

Suydam said that inclusion works well for many children with disabilities but that FCPS will always offer a continuum of services that offers more restrictive settings for students who need them.

Sprung said FCPS offers services for children beginning at age two and in some cases earlier. For instance, deaf children receive services from birth through parent outreach.

Boyce Williams said that the teacher and coach model was very helpful. She suggested that other FCPS programs might consider using this model instead of using mentors.

Ellen Oppenheim asked if parents need to buy into ABA for it to be successful. Johnson said that she works with parents to help them work with their children.

Boehm said that FCPS is doing a great job integrating students with disabilities into regular schools. For instance, she was recently able to move two completely blind children into a regular elementary school. They fit in very quickly.

Andrea Sobel said that some parents may choose not to put their children into an ABA program. Sprung said that this is correct and that not all autistic children will be in ABA; it will be an option.

Hurley asked about children who require both special education and GT services. Suydam said that her office is trying to get better data on this issue. Ronnie Altobelli said that her school has many special education students in IB courses.

Kugler said that the new superintendent has said he will be looking carefully at cost-per-pupil. Suydam said that FCPS costs are fairly low compared to state and national levels.


Oppenheim noted that the meeting was held during a Jewish holy day and asked for greater sensitivity to religions.

Hurley said she has noted high class sizes in some schools, disparity among schools in access to AP and IB courses, and low numbers of minority students taking higher level math and science courses. Kugler said that one barrier is the cost of AP and IB exams.

Brenda Greene said she had recently visited Cameron ES and was very impressed by its family atmosphere.

Kugler said that it is important to increase the representation of racial and ethnic minorities on all advisory committees and councils, including SCAC.

Cooper said that his service on SCAC was very rewarding and asked the council to make sure that the next student representative keep up with the council.

The meeting was adjourned.