Carroll ISD considers creation of special education advisory council

The Carroll ISD board of trustees is considering creating of a special education parent advisory council, which would act as a liaison with the community on special education matters in Southlake.

The main goal of the proposed council is to serve as a resource network between parents and professionals and to seek the enrichment of existing special programs, according to Tyisha Nelson, the CISD executive director for special programs.

Nelson told board members Dec. 14 the goal of the council would be to compile information from community members, various campuses and district stakeholders and report back to other members.

According to Nelson, the council would be made up of parents of special education students, campus liasons, special education teachers and campus administrators.

As of October, Carroll ISD serves a total of 674 special education students. The advisory council would rely on guidelines from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs.

If appointed to the council, members would serve two-year terms and hold quarterly meetings open to the public. The council would report annually to the board.

Applications are expected to open Feb. 1-12, and a tentative date for the council's first meeting is set for March 25.

In anticipation of new Superintendent Lane Ledbetter's arrival, the board is expected to revisit the issue at a Jan. 11 meeting, including the approval of the council's goals.