Purpose of the Committee:

The Branch ISD Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) is composed of parents who have a child with an IEP. PAC members serve as a voice for families whose children receive special education programs and/or services within Branch County. Our function is to help parents understand special education regulations, help advise the administration with the delivery of services, and to help parents settle differences in the delivery of services.

Branch ISD PAC also:

• Provides an opportunity to increase parent awareness about special education. Information and training sessions help parents understand special education programs and services countywide, and learn about current topics in special education across the state of Michigan.

• Ensures parents have input into the development of the countywide plan for special education programs and services.

• Provides an opportunity for parents to meet, provide input, and ask questions regarding special education. It is also an opportunity for parents to network and develop parent resources.

PAC members:

• Attend and participate in meetings and training sessions to increase understanding about the education of students with disabilities

• Share information and support other parents in collaboration with the local school districts and ISD programs

• Facilitate the Make a Difference PAC Awards to honor those persons who have gone above and beyond their role in educating and supporting students with IEPs

  Parent Advisory Committees Fact Sheet – English Family Matters

  Parent Advisory Committees Fact Sheet – Arabic Family Matters

  Parent Advisory Committees Fact Sheet – Spanish Family Matters

Upcoming Meeting Dates:

Meetings are held at the Waldron Learning Center (214 Bishop Avenue) on the second Tuesday of each month from 5:30-6:30 pm

• September 10, 2024 Sept. Agenda/Notes click here

• October 8, 2024

• November 12, 2024

• December 10, 2024

• January 14, 2025

• February 18, 2025 - 3rd Tuesday

• March 11, 2025

• April 8, 2025

• Make a Difference Awards- TBD at 6:00 pm- Branch Area Career Center

• May 13, 2025

Make a Difference Award

The "Make a Difference" Award is given on an annual basis to individuals who have made a significant, positive impact on the educational experience of a student with special needs.

Who is eligible for recognition:

• Special Education Teachers who work with students in a variety of educational settings (resource room, team-teaching situations, inclusive classrooms, etc.

• General Education Teachers who have provided exceptional educational opportunities for students in the general education classroom and beyond

• Administrators who have demonstrated outstanding leadership on behalf of students with impairments

• Ancillary Staff, including social workers, speech therapists, school psychologists, teacher consultants, occupational or physical therapists

• Support Staff who assist students in the special and general education settings, including paraprofessionals, bus drivers, peer tutors and secretarial staff

• Volunteers who have improved the quality of life of students through work on school committees, school-sponsored activities, or in the classroom. Also includes businesses or civic organizations which have donated time or resources to serve the special needs population

• Student with an IEP- recognizing the determination, fortitude, and accomplishments of a student with an IEP.

Nominations for the Make a Difference Awards will be collected and recipients will be determined by a committee in early April. Everyone likes to be recognized for a job well done.

The Make a Difference Award Winners for the 2023-2024 School year were honored on April 24, 2024. The PAC received almost 90 nominations from across Branch County, highlighting the incredible impact our educators, school staff, community members, and volunteers have on the lives of our students. After careful consideration, the following individuals were selected as the winners for 23-24:

• Jacob Quimby (Student of the Year)

• Nolan Kopkowski (Special Ed Teacher of the Year)

• Darren Skirka (General Education Teacher of the Year)

• Shawnna Craig (Community Member of the Year #1)

• Jennifer Searls (Secondary Administrator of the Year)

• Julie Farmer (Elementary Administrator of the Year)

• Valencia Barrett (Support Person of the Year)

• Emma Hayward (Itinerant Person of the Year)

• Juli Westgate (Community Member of the Year #2)

• Dominique Prater (Volunteer of the Year)

You are not alone

Do you have questions about special education and would like to connect with other parents? Below is a list of Parent PAC Members for the  2022-2023 School Year. If you have questions about the PAC or special education in general we hope that you find this Parent Handbook helpful (click the button below).