August 2005 Executive Committee Minutes
August 3, 2005
Ritz Charles - Carmel
(These minutes are considered a draft until approved at the next scheduled meeting.)
MEMBERS PRESENT: Cindy Pittman (President), George Van Horn (Past-President), Tom Adams (President-elect), Vendetta Gutshall (Treasurer), Gary Collings (Secretary), Patti Kem (NC), Dave Chastain (E), Don Adkins (SW), Jim Murray (C), Theresa Oberley (NE), Cheryl Corning (SE), Bernadette Brier (NW)
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Bob Marra, Tammy Ummel
I. Approvals
A. Minutes Cindy Pittman called the meeting to order and requested a motion to approve the June 1, 2005 minutes. MOTION: George Van Horn moved that the minutes be approved. After a second by Don Adkins, the motion was approved. Gary Collings distributed the Index of Minutes for the period of January 1996 to June 2005.
B. Treasurer's Report and Claim Docket Vendetta Gutshall distributed the Year's End Financial Statement, which showed Yearly Revenue to date of $209,357.27 and Yearly Expenditures to date of $131,460.30 The August 2005 Docket was presented in the amount of $11,224.55. MOTION: Don Adkins moved to accept the Treasurer's Report and Docket as presented. After a second by Jim Murray, the motion was approved.
George Van Horn confirmed that the 2005-06 ICASE budget in the amount of $110,600 was electronically approved by board members last month. Vendetta reported that the carry-over, cash-on-hand is $42,236.22 as of July 1, 2005. This new year's ICASE budget will be supporting three people to attend one CASE board meeting as well as two people to attend the second CASE board meeting. Members previously agreed to increase the CASE line item to $10,000 so that related conference expenses, including overnight, registration, and fees can be covered for the sponsored directors.
Vendetta reported on the distribution of the 2004-05 Roundtable proceeds to those regions which had conducted a topical this past year. Half of the proceeds ($20,141.75) will remain in the ICASE treasury. The remaining half was divided among the three participating roundtables (Northeast, Central, and East). Six of the seven roundtables have a working balance ranging from $360 to $7,114. Cheryl Corning presented an invoice for expenses related to the Southeast retreat.
C. Membership Committee Vendetta Gutshall reported on its June 16 meeting and gave an update from the two subcommittees. Members of the full committee are: Jan Dunham (E), Bernadette Brier (NW), Theresa Oberley (NW), Cheryl Harshman (NC), Baird Hill (C), Judy Flowers (SW), and Cheryl Corning (SE).
D. Leadership Topicals 2005-06 George Van Horn reported that IN-SIG and the Hope Foundation are not likely collaborators. He proposed that we forego any separate leadership topicals as board members and directors have enough on their plates this year with the DOE Academy series. Consensus: Members agreed to postpone any leadership topicals for this year.
E. New Directors' Seminar George Van Horn reported that he, Tammy Ummel, and Gary Collings hosted a morning meeting of new directors. Those in attendance were: Susan Albrecht (BSU Virtual Cooperative), Nancy Becker (Smith-Green), Jada Conner (Northwest Allen), Leah Jessee (Dubois-Spencer-Perry), Jill Slavin (MSD Pike Township), Keith Turner (Blue River), Amy Woodsmall (Whitko). Topics included cochlear implants (mapping), teacher of record, multiply handicapped, ISTEP, RTI, private schools, and maintenance of effort. New directors requested a breakfast meeting with Division representatives prior to each of the four DOE Academies.
F. Roundtable Topical Proposals Tom Adams commented that both SE and SW are considering a topical next year. NW is working on one for the Fall and NC is planning one in the Spring. Tom asked if each RT should be expected to conduct at least one topical every three years? George Van Horn responded that the topicals are a revenue source and that we are seeking a system by which we can have 2 or 3 topicals annually. Cindy Pittman asked Tom and his work group to establish a procedure on how to assure that a couple of topicals occur each year.
Bernadette Brier presented the Northwest's topical proposal on reading for October 19, 2005 with Dr. Jack Fletcher (Texas) as presenter. It will be held at IU Northwest in Gary with a per person fee of $50. MOTION: Vendetta Gutshall moved to accept the proposal. After a second by George Van Horn, the motion was approved. Bernadette will file the proposal application and details with Vendetta.
II. Strategic Plan: 2002-2005
Goal I Encourage communication, support, and recognition of special education
Objectives:
1.1 increase communication among colleagues
1.2 provide ongoing support to special educators
1.3 broaden our membership to include all eligible professionals
A. Report: Conferences
1. Fall Conference 2005: September 28 30, 2005 Cindy Pittman said she will appoint a separate Vendor Committee to be chaired by Tammy Ummel. Luann Purcell is confirmed as the key note speaker. There will be a reception/cash bar in the atrium. Vendetta will be provided overnight rooms through ICASE.
2. Spring Conference: February 16 - 17, 2006 Tom Adams confirmed that the downtown Radisson (Indianapolis) has been contracted. He proposed a theme of highlighting Indiana educators and initiatives.
3. CEC/CASE Board Update George Van Horn has filed the annual report with CASE. Vendetta Gutshall commented that she has not yet received information about the November board meeting.
4. ICASE Website <http://www.icase.org> - A listserv for members of the Executive Committee has been constructed with the address of <executive@icase.org>.
B. Standing Committee Reports
1. Porter Scholarship Cheryl Corning recommended Porter Scholarships with related tuition funds be given to both Laura E. Jones (IU Southeast) and Amanda Wilson (ISU). MOTION: Patti Kem moved to accept the scholarship recipients. After a second by Tom Adams, the motion was approved.
2. Recognition/Awards Gary Collings nominated Fred McNulty to receive the Honorary Service Award. He was ICASE President in 1983-84. Fred requested the amount equivalent to a clock be donated to the Porter Scholarship Fund. MOTION: Vendetta Gutshall moved to accept the nomination of Fred McNulty with a donation to the scholarship fund in lieu of a clock. After a second by Bernadette Brier, the motion was approved.
3. Past Presidents' Council George Van Horn commented that he will be mailing invitations to past presidents for the September 29 dinner. Luann Purcell will be the guest speaker for the evening.
4. Nominations Tom Adams, as President-elect, chairs this committee to include two other members. The vacancies include President-elect for 2006-07 and Secretary (even years).
5. Roundtable Activities No meetings have been held to date.
Goal II Advance the improvement of education for all students
Objectives:
2.1 develop stronger partnerships with general education
2.2 provide staff development on effective best practices
2.3 influence teacher preparation programs
A. Residential Funding - A Joint ICASE/DEL Committee No report.
Goal III Support the development of public policy to address the needs of all students
Objectives:
3.1 advance our legislative platform
3.2 connect and collaborate with other professional organizations, state agencies, and the Indiana DOE for policy development
A. Report: Division of Exceptional Learners Bob Marra thanked members for the collegial exchange at yesterday's (August 2) Division briefing on state and federal regulations. He discussed his intent to utilize four Academy dates (October 20, November 16, January 19, and March 15, 2006) for topics related to the revision of Article 7. This forum will better prepare the Division staff for its presentations beginning in January 2006 to the members of the State Advisory Council. The format for the four DOE Academy seminars to convene at 10:00 AM at the Ritz Charles in Carmel will likely include an overview of topics and small group discussions. Members agreed that the following topics should be addressed: teacher-of-record, highly qualified, 60 days, transition, number of times for consent, procedural safeguards, other preschool options, LD eligibility, and private schools. [NOTE: New Directors will convene at 8:30 AM each of the four days for a dialogue session with Division representatives prior to each academy seminar.]
CONSENSUS: Bob and members of the Executive Committee agreed that the participants should be limited to approximately 110 Directors (or his/her alternate if the director cannot attend) as listed in the 2005-06 version of ISEAS Directory. Bob will also invite Division staff and project directors at his discretion. The members of the Executive Committee will debrief with Bob around 3:00 PM after the October 20 session.
B. Report: Public Policy and Legislative Committee No Report
C. Other Business - For future consideration, Cindy Pittman asked members if they wish to revise the current Strategic Plan (2002-05) or extend it for one to three years? She asked Gary Collings to bring copies of the full plan to the next meeting.
Cindy Pittman presented a request from Marcia Piercy, assistant director at Hancock-South Madison, to include her doctoral dissertation survey in the directors' packets at the ICASE Fall Conference. She is researching both leadership and stress factors related to the director's position. MOTION: Patti Kem moved to accept Piercy's survey request and asked that she provide directors a brief summary of her results upon completion. After a second by George Van Horn, the motion was approved.
Members reviewed the list of Liaisons and noted those to be appointed by the President.
III. NEXT MEETING: September 28 (8:30 AM) downtown Fort Wayne Hilton