March 4 Schools 4:00 – 6:00 
> March 4, 2009 @ the Arizona State Capitol 
> We need everyone at this event. Buses are leaving from 10 different elementary schools (departing at 3:45). Please use this link to RSVP.
> http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=nFTKO846qE475Fzbniswzw_3d_3d
> 
> Pass this email on to anyone, I mean anyone, who believes that a promising tomorrow starts with our schools today. Right now the legislative leadership is proposing cuts of 18% to our already inadequate funding. 
> My promise is to speak up against this. Will you? I mean really…what’s it gonna take? 
> PTOs and PTAs, I implore you to get this through your network with a real sense of urgency. 
> 
> My sincerest thanks,
> Eric Kurland
> SEA President
> erickurland6@aol.com
>

Three Session Workshop • Saturday, February 21, 2009

Meet the Experts

1. Medicaid, EPSDT & Wraparound
   Learn how successful therapies for DDD children in Arizona can become available at no cost to parents
   (regardless of family income) to help reduce or eliminate symptoms and challenging behaviors.
2. How to Get the AHCCCS Health Care Services Your Child Needs.
   Learn how to navigate the ALTCS health care maze, including what to do if you are facing the appeals
   process for a denial, reduction or termination.
3. Excellent Behavioral Support for Children in their Schools and Homes.
   EPSDT & BHRS Funding will be thoroughly explained. You will learn how to write individualized treatment
   plans so that “Medical Necessity” is established, how to access Medicaid funding for BHRS via the EPSDT
   mandate and how to keep your funding until the treatment plan is finished (without having to
   water-down treatment).

Register Online at: www.phxautism.org/epsdt.html  • Questions? Call Cynthia at 480.940.1093

Click here to learn more:

Finding, Funding, and Keeping DDD Services Workshop

David Peterson, the interim co-superintendent of Scottsdale Unified School District, estimated he could save 15 to 18 percent of the costs to run Scottsdale’s 33 schools if the district switched to a four-day week.

Peterson cautioned that he was not an advocate or a supporter of the schedule but was simply estimating cost savings.

Read the rest of the article

• Katy Cavanagh, Interim Co-Superintendent – Teaching and Learning
• David Peterson, Interim Co-Superintendent – Finances and Operations
• Lois Healey, Administrator – Special Education Services

Today, I’ve posted both the minutes taken by Shauna Mattson, as well as the presentation pack that David Peterson shared with us on the SUSD Special Education budget and its chronic underfunding by the state and federal government.  Please take a moment to review the information, as it’s key to the education of our children, all our children.

Presentation

Meeting Minutes

You can also find information from our previous meetings and presentations on the SEPACS web page “Past Meeting Notes“.

From today’s SUSD Community Connection:

It’s never too early to make a donation that can be claimed when you file your 2008 State tax returns.

Did you know that Arizona law allows taxpayers to receive a tax credit of up to $200 for individual filers and up to $400 for married filers for donations made to SUSD schools? You can claim the tax credit when filing your 2008 Arizona State Income Tax return. The school must receive the funds by December 31, 2008. It’s a win, win situation for you and the school!

To contribute online, please visit: http://payments.susd.org/

If you have additional questions, please contact Scottsdale Unified School District at 480-484-6143, or the Arizona Department of Revenue at: http://www.azdor.gov/ResearchStats/Schooltaxcredit.htm

Opinion: Parents deserve choice on schooling for disabled