Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (2020-21)
The Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities is a State Mandated Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
Contact Us
Please be aware that correspondence with ACSD members is subject to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This means that your correspondence may be made public if (1) it deals with FCPS business and (2) someone requests it.
By clicking the "Submit a Question" button above, your email will go directly to the ACSD email address, [email protected].
The following information is for 2020-21 School Year. View the latest ACSD Webpage
School Board Liaison
Laura Jane Cohen
Staff Liaison
Michael Bloom, Director, Special Education, Department of Special Services
Chair
Connie Lorentzen
Vice-Chair
Joanne Walton
If you are unable to attend a meeting open to the public where you can provide public comment, you may submit your public comment in writing to the Office of Special Education Instruction. If you have specific concerns about your child’s educational services, you may contact Michael Bloom at [email protected].
View additional contact information for the Department of Special Services
Committee Purpose
8 VAC 20-81-230(D)—A local advisory committee for special education, appointed by each local school board, shall advise the school board through the division superintendent.
2020-21 Committee Charge
- Examine current FCPS practices regarding school-based compliance with special education procedures and practices.
- Make recommendations designed to improve the utilization of Department of Special Services (DSS) resources to increase divisionwide consistency related to the implementation of special education procedures and practices.
- Make recommendations designed to improve school-based administrative oversight of special education instructional programming and procedural practices.
Presentations, Reports, & Bylaws
- View the ACSD 2019-2020 Annual Presentation to the School Board
- View the ACSD Staff Response to the 2018-2019 Recommendations
- View the 2018-2019 ACSD Annual Report
- View archived ACSD Information: 2019-20 | 2018-19 | 2017-18
- View the 2016 ACSD Bylaws
Meeting Dates
The ACSD meeting dates and times are listed below. ACSD committee members will participate electronically due to the COVID-19 emergency. Members of the public are welcome to attend virtually at https://www.fcps.edu/streamingmeeting.
Public Comment at ACSD Meetings During COVID-19 Emergency
During the COVID-19 Emergency, the ACSD will only meet virtually. During this time, Fairfax County and City residents may submit a written, video or audio testimony by email to [email protected]. A maximum of 10 slots are available, first come, first serve. Please submit your written, video or audio testimony by 5:00 p.m. the day before the meeting. Written, video and audio testimony should not exceed 3 minutes in length.
2020-21 Membership
SB Member Representatives
Liz Brocato, Braddock District-Megan McLaughlin
Lissy John, Dranesville District-Elaine Tholen
Brandon Cassady, Hunter Mill District-Melanie Meren
Meghan Gray, Lee District-Tamara Derenak Kaufax
Harry Henderson, Mason District-Ricardy Anderson
Phara Rodrigue, Member at large-Karen Keys Gamarra
Sanaa Bouzit, Member at Large-Abrar Omeish
Susan Edgerton, Member at Large-Rachna Sizemore-Heizer
Connie Lorentzen, Mount Vernon District-Karen Corbett Sanders
Mary Hackman, Providence District-Karl Frisch
Toby Latham, Springfield District-Laura Jane Cohen
Mary Kate Ganley, Student Representative
Michael Simon, Sully District-Stella Pekarsky
Region Representatives
Vacant, Region 1-Douglas Tyson-Assistant Superintendent
Niki Zimmerman, Region 2-Fabio Zuluaga-Assistant Superintendent
Dena Sonneborn, Region 3-Nardos King-Assistant Superintendent
Rachel Macias, Region 4-Jay Pearson-Assistant Superintendent
Vacant, Region 5-Rebecca Baenig-Assistant Superintendent
Community Representatives
Darcy Acquavella, City of Fairfax School Board
Sandi Dalhoff, Department of Neighborhood and Community Service
Vacant, Disability Services Board
Lynn Kiewel, Fairfax Co. Health Dept.
Ann Marie Ward, Fairfax County Council of PTA
James Gillespie, Fairfax/Falls Church Community Services Board
Vacant, Federation of Citizens
Linda Mason, Higher Education
Andrianne Konstas, League of Women Voters
Brianne Russell-Morris, POAC-NoVA
Ally Baldassari, SEPTA
School Representatives
Vacant, Assistive Technology
Joanne Walton, Faculty
Vacant, Preschool
Vacant, Transition Services
Resources
Fairfax County Public School Resources
- Accommodations Toolbox
- FCPS Guidance Document for IEP Teams for COVID Recovery Services
- Parent Resource Center
- Parent Resource Center Library
- Physical Restraint and Seclusion Policy
- Special Education Handbook for Parents
- Special Education Newsletter
- Special Education Procedures and Practices
- The Special Education Process
Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Resources
Meeting Agendas
Agenda for the 8/17/2020 Orientation
Agenda for the 8/17/2020 meeting
Agenda for 9/9/2020 meeting
Agenda for 10/14/2020 meeting
Agenda for 11/11/2020 meeting
Agenda for 12/9/2020 meeting
Agenda for 1/13/2021 meeting
Meeting agenda for 2/10/2021
Meeting agenda for 3/10/2021
Meeting agenda for 4/14/2021
Meeting agenda for 5/12/2021
Meeting agenda for 6/9/2021
Meeting Minutes
Meeting minutes for 8/17/2020
Meeting minutes for 9/9/2020
Meeting minutes for 10/14/2020
Meeting minutes for 11/11/2020
Forum meeting minutes for 12/7/2020
Meeting minutes for 12/9/2020
Meeting minutes for 1/13/2021
Meeting minutes for 2/10/2021
Meeting minutes for 3/10/2021
Meeting minutes for 4/14/2021
Meeting minutes for 5/12/2021
Meeting minutes for 6/9/2021
