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December 2005
Executive Committee Minutes
December 14, 2005
DOE Division of Exceptional
Learners
(These minutes are considered a draft until approved at the next scheduled meeting.) MEMBERS PRESENT: Vendetta Gutshall (Treasurer), Gary Collings (Secretary), Saundra Lange (SW), Jim Murray (C), Cheryl Corning (SE), Theresa Oberley (NE). MEMBERS ABSENT: Cindy Pittman (President), George Van Horn (Past-President), Tom Adams (President-elect), Patti Kem (NC), Dave Chastain (E), Pat Pierce (NW) OTHERS PRESENT: Bob Marra, Sharon Knoth I. Approvals A. Minutes Due to the absence of six board members and no constitutional restrictions regarding a quorum, Gary Collings called the meeting to order and requested a motion to approve the November 17, 2005 minutes. MOTION: Vendetta Gutshall moved the minutes be approved. After a second by Jim Murray, the motion was approved. Treasurer's Report and Claim Docket Vendetta Gutshall distributed handouts for the Financial Report. The December 2005 Docket was presented in the amount of $6,761.83. MOTION: Cheryl Corning moved to approve the Docket as presented. After a second by Saundra Lange the motion was approved. Vendetta reported that of the $110,600 budget, $ 66,178.65 had been expended to date. The $9,389.43 balance in the Scholarship Fund is pending transfer to CASE for tax-exempt purposes. Vendetta announced that ICASE has now been approved for credit card use (Discover, Visa, Master, and American Express). She suggested a service fee not be applied until she can assess the level of use and the amount of fees charged over a period of time. Credit cards may now be used for membership, purchase of products and registration. Vendetta read a thank you letter from Bill Littlejohn expressing his gratitude to ICASE for its $1,000 donation to the ISU Scholarship in his name. C. Membership Committee Vendetta Gutshall reported this group will convene on January 17, 2006. D. Roundtable Topical Proposals The October 19, 2005 topical on Response to Intervention sponsored by Northeast made a profit of $1,316.32. Five of the roundtables have a working balance. Vendetta Gutshall encouraged representatives to use the standard format of the topical outline. E. Strategic Plan Officers have yet to meet as a task force to review the plan and make suggestions for consideration by the members of the Executive Committee. II. Strategic Plan: 2002-2005 Goal I Encourage communication, support, and recognition of
special education A. Report: Conferences 1. Fall Conference 2005: September 28-30, 2005 Vendetta Gutshall reported a profit amount of $27,174.24. A compilation of evaluations is being prepared by Cindy Pittman. 2. Spring Conference: February 16-17, 2006 Jim Murray distributed both the agenda and registration form to be available in the Cable and on the ICASE website. 3. Fall Conference 2006: September 27-29, 2006 No Report 4. CEC/CASE Board Update Vendetta Gutshall will present materials at next month's meeting 5. Vendor Committee No report B. Standing Committee Reports Porter Scholarship Applications will be available at the Spring Conference. Recognition/Awards Completed Past Presidents' Council No report Nominations Tom Adams, as President-elect, chairs this committee, which includes two other members (George Van Horn and a director to be named). The vacancies include President-elect for 2006-07 and Secretary (even years). Roundtable Activities Vendetta Gutshall (NE) distributed their 11 year rotation of executive board terms (3 years) and chairperson assignment (1 year) by member planning districts. They have also completed a resource manual for transition. Jim Murray (C) said they will meet after the January 19 academy session, which will also honor Ann Smith. Cheryl Corning (SE) said they met as a work group to develop a format for the graduation report. Goal III Support the development of public policy
to address the needs of all students A. Report: Division of Exceptional Learners At last month's meeting, Jim Durst proposed ISB implement a pilot project with two instructors in Orientation & Mobility as a broker of services model for local districts with a fee to cover costs. Since the two instructors can not serve the whole state, Bob Marra suggested an alternative to utilize these two instructors over the next 15 to 18 months for required field experiences of the 12 O&M candidates in training. Sharon Knoth explained DOE has a contract through Project Vision with the Pennsylvania College of Optometry to teach the related O&M courses. The twelve candidates, however, make his/her own arrangements with a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) for 50 hours of observation and 250 hours of practicum with evaluation by a COMS who are few in number across the state. Sharon distributed a map showing where each candidate is located with three (3) from ISB and one each from: MSD Lawrence, Hamilton-Boone-Madison, East Central, Old National Trails, South Central, Johnson County, ROD, East Noble, and Porter County. Because of the pressing need for field supervision, Sharon and Bob proposed the two COMS at the ISB be contracted through Project Vision over the next 18 months and assigned to oversee field experiences for candidates in all districts with specific involvement at Old National Trails, South Central, and Porter County due to each district's lack of a COMS in the area. Project Vision would pay for the two COMS and supplement arrangements in the other districts. Set-ups will vary among the candidates and Project Vision resources will be tailored to the situation. By the end of the 2006-07 school year, it is the intent to have an additional 12 COMS in the state, which will nearly double the current work force of COMS. Members encouraged Bob and Sharon to pursue this option with Jim Durst. In reply to a question, Bob acknowledged he was aware directors took exception to John Dickerson's comments about schools in his December 8, 2005 memo regarding the closure of Silvercrest Children's Developmental Center. Bob gave some background to the closing, which was initiated by the State Board of Health. Students will be phased out over the next semester. Division staff members have already worked with some directors on alternative residential options. Some of the Silvercrest funds are to be diverted to FSSA for respite care in support of the families involved. Members noted the closing does leave a gap for short term interventions for low functioning students with behavioral disorders. The educational diagnostic offerings will also be missed for this population of students with disabilities. B. Report: Public Policy and Legislative Committee No report C. Other Business Presentations by Steve Wornhoff (COVOH) and Karol Farrell (Rule 26) were postponed to a future meeting. III. NEXT MEETING: January 18, 2006 (8:30 AM) DOE Division of Exceptional Learners
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