Executive Committee Listserv <executive@icase.org>
April 17, 2008
DOE Center for Exceptional Learners
(These minutes are considered a draft until approved at the next scheduled meeting.)
MEMBERS PRESENT: Pam Wright (President), Lynn Gosser (President-elect), Tom Adams (Past-President), Vendetta Gutshall (Treasurer), Gary Collings (Secretary), Larry Bass (SW), Margie Labelle (C), Cheryl Corning (SE), Lisa Waber (E), Mary Beth Hamilton (NE), Donna Krol (NW), Cheryl Harshman (NC), Denise Bashore (Membership and Fiscal), Patti Kem (Professional Development), Joan McCormick (Legislative and Research)
OTHERS PRESENT: Bob Marra
I. APPROVALS
A. Minutes – Pam Wright called the morning meeting to order and requested a
motion to approve the March 20, 2008 minutes. Gary Collings noted that the
motion under I. C. (Approvals) should read “… appoint Denise Bashore as
interim Treasurer effective July 1, 2008 (not 2009)”. MOTION: Larry Bass
moved to approve the minutes as amended. After a second by Mary Beth
Hamilton, the motion carried.
B. Treasurer’s Report and Claim Docket – Vendetta Gutshall distributed the
April 2008 financial report showing expenditures to date of $138,096.16 for
the $242,000 budget and the March-April docket in the amount of $43,826.26.
MOTION: Tom Adams moved to accept the financial report and docket as
presented. After a second by Lynn Gosser, the motion was approved. The
Spring 2008 Conference had 348 registrants and netted a profit of
$27,062.28. Besides the $8,200 held by CASE, the cash balance in the
Scholarship Fund is $7,683.69. The Central topical proceeds of $16,548.92
will be divided in half and distributed in June. The upcoming Northwest
topical is full and has a waiting list.
Vendetta has obtained an ICASE group rate ($99 including parking fee) and direct billing at the downtown Embassy Suites as the preferred hotel for overnights for ICASE committee members and small group meetings. It was suggested that all overnight room costs of Executive Committee members besides officers be paid by ICASE.
C. Independent Audit – Pam Wright noted that it was time for an independent audit. Vendetta Gutshall responded she has used a CPA, Drew Sell, in the past. Pam authorized Vendetta to contact him and proceed with the audit.
II. DIVISION REPORT – Bob Marra commented that the federal monitoring plan has been re-submitted to the USDOE and its status is pending.
Bob reported on the Article 7 State Board of Education hearings at both Evansville and New Albany. At the April meeting the SBE received the Article 7 fiscal impact study with its potential realignment of contact hours from reduction of requirements across 36 areas. The final hearing will be with the full SBE at its May 7th meeting with an approval vote anticipated at the June 4th SBE meeting. Bob will also seek a study committee regarding the special education funding formula during the 2009 General Assembly.
In response to a question, Bob remarked that incorporation of RtI provisions into Article 4 has yet to move forward from DOE to the State Board of Education. Members discussed the dilemma for LD eligibility determination if the discrepancy model is disallowed and the RtI system is not addressed in state regulations.
Members noted a concern about transition to adult and the long range goal of enrolling in post secondary. In reply to a question, Bob confirmed that all the proportionate funds for Parochial Schools must be spent from Part B funds.
Bob confirmed the June 19 – 20 dates at the Fountains in Carmel for a two-day Article 7 training session for Directors only to be conducted by the DEL staff. The revision will be presented across three aspects of policy, language, and procedures.
A “field study” edition of a guidance document being framed by Becky Bowman will be on-going this summer and the focus of an August 5th follow-up session for Directors only at the Ritz Charles in Carmel.
Sharon Knoth has been assigned the coordination of activities of DOE/CEL training related to Article 7. Patti Kem asked that the September 18 strands by the various rules at the ICASE Fall Conference be focused on clarification and implementation not a review of the language. CEL will also conduct joint training with ISTA and AFT.
III. EXECUTIVE STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Legislative and Research Committee --At the October 2007 meeting, Pam
Wright’s recommendation for Joan McCormick as chairperson of the Legislative
and Research Committee for 2007-08 was approved. A member from each
roundtable serves on the committee. The President-elect and Past President
are standing members.
Joan McCormick reported on her earlier meeting with Kevin McDowell to review 2008 legislation. She distributed a summary of HEA 1001, which no longer includes the pre-school local tax, as the overall reform package containing numerous property tax and funding provisions. It also contains amendments to I.C.20-26-11-9 to transfer sole responsibility for notifying school corporations of certain transferred students to the Department of Child Services (DCS).
HEA 1001 also amends I.C. 20-26-11-12 effective January 1, 2009 to allow the Department of Child Services to place students in out-of-state institutions or facilities and ensure payment of educational costs without having to secure a court order to this effect. The placements no longer have to be pursuant to a court order. However, a corresponding amendment to I.C. 20-43-4-1 (see Sec. 487, defining “eligible pupil for ADM purposes) would seem to shift the financial responsibility for such DCS placements to the school corporation of legal settlement according to McDowell.
HEA 1165-2008 is mostly concerned with homeless youth and also has a transfer tuition provision effective July 1, 2008. This new provision allows a student who has resided in his school corporation of legal settlement for at least two consecutive years immediately before moving to “an adjacent school corporation” can continue to attend the former school corporation of legal settlement without payment of transfer tuition. This is subject to approval by the principal and superintendent of both affected school corporations. If the student elects to do this, the parent is responsible for transportation.
B. Membership and Fiscal Management Committee – At the November 2007 meeting, Pam Wright’s recommendation for Denise Bashore as the chairperson for Membership and Fiscal Management for 2007-2009 was approved. At the March 2008 meeting Denise was appointed as interim Treasurer beginning July 1 and Steve Wornhoff was confirmed in the chairperson role for the duration of Denise’s term through June 2009. The Secretary and Treasurer are standing members of this committee.
Denise Bashore announced that Dave Chastain has accepted the assignment
in the new position of Deputy Treasurer with duties yet to be determined.
C. Professional Development Committee – At the December 2007 meeting, Pam
Wright’s recommendation for Patti Kem as chairperson of the Professional
Development Committee for 2007-2010 was approved. Both the President and
Deputy Treasurer (yet to be selected) are standing members.
Patti Kem reported that the committee met on April and is developing a
listserv survey for input from all directors. Mary Beth Hamilton noted that
a new line of ICASE products will soon be available.
The Fall 2008 Conference will be held on September 17 - 19, 2008 at the Fort
Wayne Hilton/Grand Wayne Convention Center. The golf outing will be
Wednesday afternoon. Besides the Article 7 training strands on Thursday,
there will be a couple of short sessions after the business meeting on
Friday. Bob’s presentation on Friday will be during lunch.
Roundtable Topical Proposals:
a. Vendetta Gutshall presented the Northeast topical proposal of an EIPA
training session for educational interpreters on June 26 – 27, 2008. The
session will be closed to only districts in the NE roundtable.
MOTION: Cheryl Corning moved to accept the topical request. After a second
by Margie Labelle, the motion was approved
b. Fall 2008 (East) – Lisa Waber asked for approval of their September 24
topical on PBS with at IU East in Richmond. MOTION: Donna Krol moved
to accept the topical request. After a second by Cheryl Harshman, the motion
was approved.
IV. SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Nominating – Completed.
B. Recognition/Awards – None
V. SUPPORTING the MEMBERSHIP
A. Identifying and Addressing Membership Needs
1. Needs Assessment -- Withdrawn
2. SLP Task Force update – Pam Wright reported the ISHA university trainers
will continue the dialogue on a distance education model June 3rd.
3. Article 7 Work Group update – Lynn Gosser noted the ICASE position paper
will be presented at the May 7 hearing date. She will transmit the paper to
the Executive Committee
4. Support for New Directors – Patti Kem reported that the committee met
April 15 and first focused on an agenda for the New Directors’ seminar on
August 6. She commented that they would like to implement a mentor or buddy
pairing for new directors.
B. Improving/Facilitating Communication
1. Roundtable Reports – Margie Labelle (C) said they have plans to analyze
Article 7 by study groups. Lisa Waber (E) said they will meet tomorrow to
plan a retreat to discuss Article 7. Larry Bass (SW) said they will meet
Monday to discuss the June 4th topical. Cheryl Corning (SE) said they will
meet tomorrow to elect a new representative. Mary Beth Hamilton (NE) said
they met March 7th and each director provided a review of sections of
Article 7. Donna Krol (NW) said their topical is full; they also will divide
up Article 7 for review.
2. Website/Listserv – Vendetta Gutshall reported that this committee met April 14th and each representative will be taking pictures of respective members for the website.
3. Electronic Newsletter – Cheryl Corning reported on the April 14th
meeting and the name selection of ICASE Briefcase, which will be posted
quarterly.
VI. PROMOTING/ADVANCING the ORGANIZATION
A. Examining Organizational Structure
1. Task Force: Executive Director/Administrative Assistant – Tom Adams
chairs this task force that is under development.
2. Indiana RtI Summit Team – Pam commented that she, Lucy Witte, and Glenda Hott are members but no meeting has yet been set.
B. Strengthening National Connections
1. CEC/CASE Meeting in Boston (April 2) – CASE members attending the Annual
Member/Board of Directors’ meeting were told that Dr. Mary Kealy (VA) was
elected as President Elect and Jerry Hime (CA) was re-elected Treasurer.
The new biennium will begin on July 1, 2008. Tom Adams was named as the
Chairperson of the CASE Membership Committee for a two year term on the CASE
Executive Committee beginning July 1, 2008. Gary Collings finished a term
year term as Chairperson of the CASE Research Committee.
The Exemplary Unit Award was given to Kentucky for be outstanding in all areas of the annual report. Individual units were recognized with the Outstanding Achievement Award (OAA) as follows: OAA in Communications - Indiana CASE; OAA in Membership Development- Michigan CASE; OAA in Professional Development- Minnesota CASE; OAA in Legislative - Virginia CASE; and OAA in Awards- Illinois IAASE.
2. CASE Leadership Institute in Washington D.C. (July 13 – 16) – Joan McCormick, Pam Wright, Vendetta Gutshall and all members of the Legislative Committee will attend the CASE Summer Institute at Washington D. C. on July 13 – 16th.
3. 19th Annual CASE Conference at Myrtle Beach Resort (November 7 – 8,
2008) – Pam Wright will become the voting member at the Board of Directors
meeting. Her expenses will be reimbursed by CASE.
C. Promoting State Partnerships –
1. Liaisons – Members Designated by the President
a. ASK/IN*SOURCE (Patti Kem)
b. IAPSS/ISBA (Margie Labelle)
c. IASPrincipals (Larry Bass)
d. IASPsychologists (Cheryl Corning)
e. INCEC (Jan Dunham)
f. ISHA (Mary Beth Hamilton)
g. Medicaid (Tom Adams)
h. University Forum (Cheryl Corning)
i. Indiana Juvenile Detention Educators Task Force: Donna Krol (Northern),
Robb Warriner (Central), Cheryl Corning (Southern)
j. Indiana AHEAD (Joan McCormick)
2. Appointees – Other Agencies/Associations
a. ASK/IPIN (Jim Sands)
b. Center for Evaluation and Education (Pam Wright)
c. DOE Division of Educator Licensing & Development Comm. (Mike Horvath)
d. FSSA Community Alternatives Grant – (Mary Beth Hamilton/Margie Labelle)
e. FSSA/DDARS/DHHS Interpreters (Nancy Holsapple)
f. ISBLIND (Cindy Pittman)
g. ISDeaf - Patti Kem distributed an outreach handout from Cindy Lawrence.
h. State Advisory Council (Karol Farrell)
i. State Improvement Grant (George Van Horn)
VII. OTHER BUSINESS – Cheryl Corning suggested that an additional
cash lump sum be transferred from the treasury to the scholarship fund held
by CASE. Pam Wright asked that the suggestion be deferred to the Fiscal
Management Committee for consideration.
The ICASE Officers will hold a transitional meeting on April 30 at the ISEAS office.
VIII. NEXT MEETING: May 15, 2008 (8:30 AM) – DOE/CEL (Riley Room)