SEAC Members

Chair: Irene Holdbrook, CNIB Southwest Region

Staff Resources:
Laura Shoemaker, Superintendent of Learning, Special Education
Gerald Foran, Principal, Section 23 & Learning Services

 Did You Know That…

School boards are legally required to provide appropriate programs and services to all students regardless of their needs. Further to that, the Education Act (Section 82, Subsection 2) requires that each school board “shall establish a Special Education Advisory Committee”. In keeping with this legislation, and our own Catholic philosophy of serving all students in a Christ-centered environment, the Waterloo Catholic District School Board has a Special Education Advisory Committee.

SEAC is committed to ensuring that each student continuously grows in a holistic sense-spiritually, physically, emotionally and socially. Following this mandate SEAC is responsible for making recommendations to the Board of Trustees in respect of any matter related to the development, review, and provision of education programs and services for students with exceptional needs.

The legal definition of an exceptional student is one who’s behavioural, communication, intellectual, and physical abilities are such that he/she needs a modified learning program. Special education services are the support personnel and equipment necessary to implement a special education program.

SEAC Committee membership is presently comprised of 12 local associations and community representatives, and two school board trustees, all of whom are appointed by the full Board of Trustees for a three year term. The Supervisory Officer responsible for Special Education serves as administrative resource to the Committee.