Chapter 25A. Special Education Task Force Establishment.
§ 38–2551. Establishment.
There is established a Special Education Task Force (“Task Force”) with the purpose of serving as a collaborative body of District agencies that will monitor, support, and implement special education reform within the District of Columbia Public Schools.
§ 38–2552. Functions.
Specific functions of the Task Force shall include the following:
(1) Within 60 days of the approval of the Board of Education, adopt, by a majority vote, the Special Education Reform Plan developed pursuant to § 38-2553;
(2) Convene monthly, or more frequently as deemed necessary and appropriate, to report on the implementation of the Special Education Reform Plan and identify obstacles and recommend amendments to the Special Education Reform Plan;
(3) Identify ways to better coordinate and improve special education service delivery;
(4) Monitor the Special Education Reform to ensure that the Reform Plan is executed in an appropriate and timely manner; and
(5) Determine specific savings targets for Fiscal Year 2004 and beyond, including those associated with the Tobacco Settlement funds provided to the District of Columbia Public Schools in Fiscal Year 2003.
§ 38–2553. Special Education Reform Plan.
The Superintendent of Schools shall develop a Special Education Reform Plan (“Reform Plan”) which shall include the following:
(1) Measurable goals;
(2) Timelines for deliverables;
(3) Roles and responsibilities of all District agencies that provide special education related services;
(4) Proposed legislative initiatives;
(5) Targeted savings activities for fiscal years 2003 through 2005; and
(6) Continued review and input from Task Force members.
§ 38–2554. Composition of the Task Force.
(a) The Task Force shall be comprised of the following 9 voting members, or designees thereof:
(1) The Mayor of the District of Columbia;
(2) The Chair of the Committee on Education, Libraries and Recreation for the Council of the District of Columbia;
(3) The Chair of the Committee of Finance and Revenue for the Council of the District of Columbia;
(4) The President of the Board of Education;
(5) The Superintendent of the District of Columbia Public Schools;
(6) The State Education Officer of the District of Columbia;
(7) The Deputy Mayor for Children, Youth, Families and Elders;
(8) The Chief Financial Officer for the District of Columbia; and
(9) The Chief Financial Officer for the District of Columbia Public Schools.
(b) The following shall serve as advisory, nonvoting members of the Task Force:
(1) The members of the Council’s Committee on Education, Libraries and Recreation;
(2) The department head or designee of the Office of Special Education;
(3) The department head or designee of the Committee on Special Education and Student Services for the Board of Education;
(4) The Corporation Counsel for the District of Columbia;
(5) The department head or designee of the Department of Mental Health;
(6) The department head or designee of the Child and Family Service Agency;
(7) The department head or designee of the Medical Assistance Administration;
(8) The department head or designee of the Office of Medicaid Public Provider Operation Reform;
(9) The representative of the State Advisory Panel on Special Education in the District of Columbia; and
(10) Two parents of District of Columbia Special Education students.
(c) The Task Force shall be co-chaired by the Mayor and the Chair of the Committee on Education, Libraries and Recreation for the Council of the District of Columbia.
(d) The Director of the State Education Office shall provide staffing for the Task Force.
§ 38–2555. Memorandum of Understanding.
(a) The voting members of the Task Force shall adopt and sign a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the implementation of the Reform Plan, which shall be submitted to the Council.
(b) This chapter shall expire upon the submission of the Memorandum of Understanding to the Council pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.
