Beth Morris, Reagan Sauls, MaryGrace Bell Kittrell, Caroline Scalf, and Cullen McDonough provided insights and connected with educators from across Georgia at the fall conference of the Georgia Council of Administrators of Special Education (G-CASE). Parker Poe is a sponsor and supporter of G-CASE. The organization is committed to fostering professional leadership and addressing shared challenges, all with the goal of enhancing services for students with special needs.
Below is a recap of the Parker Poe presentations this year.
Special Education Leadership Development Academy (SELDA)
Beth Morris and Reagan Sauls led a legal training session for new special education administrators, emphasizing compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Georgia Board of Education regulations during the 2025 G-CASE Fall Conference.
Through real-world scenarios, Beth and Reagan explored legal cases, complaints, and dispute resolution strategies across all areas of special education. Their combined 35+ years of experience in both the courtroom and classroom provided attendees with actionable insights to navigate complex legal challenges confidently.
Clown Car of Case Law
Beth Morris and Reagan Sauls discussed the latest developments in special education law in a presentation to special education administrators from across Georgia. They explored key legal decisions and administrative rulings that have shaped practices over the past year. The conversation highlighted real-world cases involving IDEA compliance and standard procedures, being able to show what worked, what did not, and how those outcomes impact day-to-day responsibilities.
How to Walk the Tightrope of Transportation Challenges
MaryGrace Bell Kittrell provided an in-depth session on how to respond to common transportation issues that school districts encounter when providing transportation services to special education students.
Topics included bus refusal, managing challenging behaviors on the bus, determining reasonable ride lengths, when bus monitors are required, and how to decide if door-to-door transportation is necessary.
MaryGrace shared actionable guidance to help administrators balance legal compliance with operational realities, ensuring safe transportation for all students.
This is My Circus, These Are My Monkeys
Cullen McDonough and Caroline Scalf’s presentation addressed common errors school districts encounter, from missed timelines to miscommunications, and explored why these issues occur.
Using real-world examples, Cullen and Caroline provided strategies to prevent and correct these mistakes, helping administrators keep their “circus” running smoothly (keeping on theme with education being the “greatest show on earth” under the “Big Top”).
Attendees walked away with actionable solutions to improve team communication and maintain compliance, even when challenges arise.