By NEIL ZOLOT
WAKEFIELD — The Special Education Parents Advisory Council is planning a joint event with Lynnfield’s SEPAC Wednesday, February 26 on Special Education Mediation with Bureau of Special Education Appeals Mediator Beth Ross. It’s a virtual event from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., with registration through https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regsister/i8HLIrnsScqe79sIAdC19g.
“We’re looking forward to presenting with the Lynnfield SEPAC,” Wakefield SEPAC volunteer co-chair Ann Herzog said during a Community Call zoom meeting held by Superintendent Doug Lyons Thursday, January 30.
“The Lynnfield SEPAC is (partnering) with our neighbors in Wakefield for this event and hope to continue this for future events as well,” reads a statement from Lynnfield SEPAC officers Meghan Mullaney, Lauren Swenson and Teri Card. “Presentations such as this provide insight, guidance and understanding of procedures, which are so beneficial for our families advocating for their children.”
The event will cover how and when to request meditation and prepare for it and what to expect.
“In mediation, an impartial mediator helps parents and school staff clarify issues and underlying concerns, explore interests, discuss options and collaborate to reach mutually satisfactory agreements that address the needs of the students,” SEPAC literature for the event reads. “The mediator does not decide how to resolve the dispute. When the parties resolve all or some of the issues, they work together with the mediator to put the agreement in writing. This informal, collaborative problem solving process encourages mutual respect, promotes communication and often provides the basis for positive working relationships between parents and school staff.”
There will also be a virtual Community Call with Special Education Director Rosie Galvin on Thursday, March 20 at 7 p.m. and a spring social event at an undetermined date and place. Galvin said her department will be establishing a quarterly newsletter for parents.
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Enrichment program group Wakefield Academy Director Estelle Burdick talked about the Boost Program during the meeting. “It’s after school enrichment for 3rd graders,” she said.
“Classroom teachers work with them on specific skills they need a boost on. It’s not for students on Individual Education Plans. It’s not an intervention. It’s for a small group of in-between students that need a little push.”
The programs will start February 24 and run for six weeks at the Dolbeare, Walton and Woodville Elementary Schools from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. Burdick anticipates 6 – 8 students per class. It is free and could conceivably help parents defray some after-school program costs. “We’re looking forward to rolling it out,” she said.
Based on a pilot program at Wakefield Academy last year, she added, “The teachers try to make it engaging so students are enjoying the learning time. It’s not a heavy lift for them. The students are spending quality time with the teachers and don’t even realize they’re learning.”
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Lyons and School Department Business Manager Christine Bufagna also reported the Fiscal 2026 budget formulation process has started and will involve the school principals and the Finance Committee in its early stages. “We’re putting together a draft and hope to have a survey for parents so we can hear what we should prioritize,” Bufagna said.
She cautioned resources related to the pandemic have expired or soon will and the school system has to determine if elements of service established with that money should be retained.
Bufagna also mentioned custodians are working “extra hard” in cleaning the schools, particularly the elementary schools, in the current cold and flu season. “We’re having a lot of absences,” she reported.