Ground Rules

The Public Comments section of the SECAC meeting is an opportunity for Montgomery County Public Schools special education leaders to hear the views of community members and receive advice from the special education parent community.  It is not our practice to respond immediately to the issues that are raised.  The SECAC will take all comments about the provision of special education services into consideration.  Special education leadership will review the recommendations with the SECAC co-chairpersons and act if appropriate.

Each meeting has Public Comments from 7:05 - 7:15 pm.  You may sign-up for presenting Public Comments by submitting the request via this google form at least 10 days prior to the meeting.  You will be contacted one week prior to the SECAC meeting to confirm.

• No decision will be made on public comment items during the actual SECAC meeting. Any follow up information will be handled outside the meeting through appropriate MCPS staff members. 

• Public Comment participants will have 3 minutes to speak. 

• Conduct of all speakers and participants will be within the bounds of proper etiquette.

The SECAC realizes that parents will speak through the lens of their own experience. However, Public Comments must respect the confidentiality of all students and employees. The purpose of the meeting is for staff members to hear about systemic issues that can be addressed through our process of continuous improvement. We encourage public input on policy, program, and practices. 

This is not the proper avenue to discuss specific student or employee matters.  If there is a challenge that you are facing with your own child, please alert the SECAC co-chairpersons so they can direct you to appropriate staff members who will help resolve the issue.  We encourage everyone to utilize existing avenues of redress for complaints including working with the special education supervisor for your school.