The parents in the East Orange School District in Essex County transformed their special education parent advisory group from what was a floundering district-led group to a mighty and flourishing parent-led group in just a few months.
In February 2024, Beth Cosentino, a parent group specialist from the START Project, connected with Nadine Wright-Arbubakrr, a parent and board of education member in EOSD, to discuss plans on having the group become parent-led. Working together they set a meeting date for late spring where Beth presented the “Start Up Workshop for SEPAGs” to a crowd of over 40 parents at the BOE meeting room. Members of the district special services administration, the board president and a handful of teachers were in attendance, showing their support and agreeing to help the group with promoting their forthcoming input survey and their follow-up meeting.
The energy in the room was mixed with the frustrations people had with the special services department and hopefulness that change was happening; bringing parents together to form a parent-led advisory group would be just the beginning. One of the parents, Danna Dennis was ready with a clipboard and sign up sheet in-hand. Another parent, Ingrid Perry offered to take the lead to work with other interested parents, of whom there were many, to have a follow up meeting.
The leaders hit the ground running! They had virtual meetings, receiving additional assistance and guidance from Beth, and had a year-end parent interest meeting on Zoom with over 45 in attendance. Two weeks before school started in September, they came together and had a meeting to form their executive board of 10 members. During the meeting they defined their roles and positions, outlined their meeting schedule plan and decided on topics for meetings, based on the data received from the input survey.
On Thursday evening September 19 their hard work and diligence paid off: The East Orange Special Education Parent Advisory Council had their first community meeting with nearly 70 parents in attendance! Their featured guest was the new Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Irving, who since arriving this past summer, has been very supportive of the group, and now he has seen first-hand what an energized and dedicated group of parents there are in East Orange for the betterment of students with disabilities.
East Orange SEPAC as a parent-led group is a true model for SEPAGs around the state on how to organize and do the work to be effective parent leaders. And, they are just getting started!
Ingrid Perry and Danna Dennis were asked why they stepped up to lead and start the EOSEPAC, here are their responses…
Ingrid Perry, co-President of EOSEPAC: I stepped up to help revitalize the parent-led EOSEPAC because the parent voice was missing. Parents know their children better than anyone else and are a vital component of a well-rounded education and we were being ignored. I believe quality education should be inclusive, and I wanted to create our seat at a very important table.
Danna Dennis, co-Vice President of Policy: In the midst of my frustration,and sometimes sleepless nights, I discovered a powerful purpose by joining the SEPAC —a chance to turn challenges into meaningful change for my child and other families navigating this journey.
EOSEPAC Executive Board, 2024-2026
- Ingrid M. Perry & Kim Davis, Co-Presidents
- Hafiza Marshall, Vice President of Community & Support
- Danna Dennis & Noel Saldana, Co-Vice Presidents of Policy
- Baijna Florestal & Baijnatha Florestal, Communication Officers
- Ayesha Barkley, Secretary
- Shauna Harley, Safety Marshall
