Community Engagement Committee Meeting

4 Monday, October 6, 2025 Community Engagement Committee Meeting Round Lake Area School District - CUSD #116 Board of Education Round Lake High School Library 6:00 PM 800 High School Drive Round Lake, IL 60073 Phone: 847-270-9300 1. MEETING OPENING Subject A. Call Meeting to Order Meeting Oct 6, 2025 - Community Engagement Committee Meeting Category 1. MEETING OPENING Type Procedural File Attachments Subject B. Roll Call of Committee Members Meeting Oct 6, 2025 - Community Engagement Committee Meeting Category 1. MEETING OPENING Type Procedural File Attachments 2. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES Subject A. Approval of Meeting Minutes Meeting Oct 6, 2025 - Community Engagement Committee Meeting Category 2. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES Type Action, Minutes Recommended Action Motion to Approve Community Engagement Committee Meeting Minutes of September 8, 2025. Minutes View Minutes for Sep 8, 2025 - Community Engagement Committee Meeting File Attachments Motion & Voting Motion to Approve Community Engagement Committee Meeting Minutes of September 8, 2025. Motion by Julie Lee, second by Jennifer Klingler. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Jennifer Klingler, Julie Lee 3. DISCUSSION ITEMS Subject A. Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) - Jacobellis Meeting Oct 6, 2025 - Community Engagement Committee Meeting Category 3. DISCUSSION ITEMS Type Discussion Abstract This memo outlines a potential plan to develop a Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) for Round Lake Area Schools CUSD #116. The goal is to design the framework during the 2025-2026 school year, with full implementation anticipated for Fall 2026. The Executive Director of Special Education, Sharon Jacobellis, will lead this initiative. At this stage, we are requesting feedback from the Board’s Community Engagement Committee regarding the proposed creation and implementation process. Background A SEPAC serves as a formal advisory body composed primarily of parents/guardians of students with disabilities, working in partnership with district administration to improve special education programs and services. These committees provide a structured platform for collaboration, advocacy, and communication between families and schools. Many districts across Illinois and the nation maintain SEPACs to strengthen trust, foster inclusivity, and ensure that the perspectives of families are considered in planning and decision-making. Examples of established SEPACs include: District 303 SEPAC Plainfield School District 202 SEPAC Community Consolidated School District 62 Proposal During the 2025–2026 school year, the district will: Research & Benchmarking : Review SEPAC models from comparable districts to determine best practices in structure, membership, and scope. Stakeholder Input : Engage families of students with disabilities, teachers, related service providers, and administrators to gather feedback on the purpose, role, and priorities of a Round Lake SEPAC. Committee Framework Development : Draft bylaws or guiding principles, define roles of parent members and district liaisons, and outline meeting frequency and reporting protocols. Pilot Engagement Opportunities : Host informational sessions or focus groups to introduce the SEPAC concept to families and gather interest for potential leadership roles. Implementation Timeline : Launch the SEPAC in Fall 2026, beginning with formal membership selection and initial meetings. Rationale Enhances family-school partnerships by providing parents of students with disabilities a structured and consistent voice. Supports continuous improvement of special education services through collaborative dialogue. Aligns with the district’s Strategic Plan pillars of Meeting the Unique Needs of Learners and Parent/Community Partnerships. Builds transparency and trust with families by creating a clear advisory channel. Next Steps We are requesting feedback from the Board’s Community Engagement Committee regarding: The proposed timeline for development and implementation. Best methods to recruit and engage diverse parent voices. Considerations for maintaining a balance of advisory influence while ensuring alignment with district goals. Pending Committee input, the Executive Director of Special Education will begin drafting the SEPAC development plan for presentation to the full Board later this year. Recommendation The Administration recommends that the Board’s Community Engagement Committee review and provide feedback on the proposed creation of a Round Lake Area Schools SEPAC, with the intention of full implementation in Fall 2026. File Attachments Subject B. Additional Community Engagement Opportunities - Bennett Meeting Oct 6, 2025 - Community Engagement Committee Meeting Category 3. DISCUSSION ITEMS Type Discussion Background Round Lake Area Schools continues to prioritize building strong partnerships with families, staff, and the broader community. Through the work of our Stakeholder Advisory Groups (SAG), a number of key themes and requests have emerged that highlight the importance of creating additional opportunities for open dialogue, feedback, and collaboration. Proposal The Superintendent/Deputy Superintendent Office is considering the development of new community engagement opportunities that would: Be open to all members of the RLAS-116 community. Focus on topics that originate from SAG sessions and other district priorities. Take the form of informational sessions, focus groups, and/or feedback forums led directly by the Superintendent’s Office. Provide a consistent and transparent way to share information while also gathering valuable community perspectives. Sample session topics may include: Academic programming and curriculum development. Facilities and operations updates. Student services, including social-emotional supports and special education. Transportation, safety, and operational improvements. School finance updates. Family engagement and communication strategies. Request for Committee Feedback We ask the Community Engagement Committee to provide input on the following: Structure & Format : What types of sessions (informational, focus groups, feedback forums) would best serve our community? Frequency & Timing : How often should these opportunities be offered, and what times of year are most beneficial for engagement? Accessibility : What locations, formats (in-person, virtual, or hybrid), and communication strategies will best ensure broad participation? Topics : Are there priority areas you believe should be highlighted beyond those identified through SAG feedback? Next Steps Committee input will guide the Superintendent/Deputy Superintendent's Office in developing a proposed calendar of engagement opportunities for the 2025-26 school year. This plan would be shared with the Board for review within the next month, with implementation beginning in January 2026. File Attachments 4. INFORMATION ITEMS Subject A. Communications Snapshot Meeting Oct 6, 2025 - Community Engagement Committee Meeting Category 4. INFORMATION ITEMS Type Information File Attachments September Communications Snapshot.pdf (216 KB) 5. ADJOURNMENT Subject A. Adjourn meeting Meeting Oct 6, 2025 - Community Engagement Committee Meeting Category 5. ADJOURNMENT Type Procedural The meeting was adjourned at _____p.m. File Attachments