Networking with School Administrators

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone,

Wanted to see if anyone might have some ideas or direction..

I live in Grundy County where we have a special education cooperative through

the county--many of the schools now are decentralizing and taking programs on

their own--with little to no knowledge of what it takes to carry out an IEP

etc...only looking for control and decrease costs.

I started with a group a non-profit in our county that provides prgrams and

services to our special needs community. One area I am looking to strengthen

the relationship is parents with the administration etc. The COOP board is made

up of super's from the county schools--none of which have special needs children

etc.

My son has been in school for 5 years and it has been a constant battle....there

has been a teacher/aide strike over contracts and many programs being change due

to de-centralization. The teachers and aides are in constant fear of losing

their jobs....and who suffers--our children!

I am speaking at the COOP board meeting next week and hoping to get through to

them that we don't want to work against each other--we need to work

together...not expecting a cadillac but a good running chevy :-) I would like

to propose establishing an advisory committee of a few productive parents,

teachers/aides, therapists etc that can help work with the board to see our

point of view.

Any help from your great minds--is greatly appreciated!