February 2006 Executive Committee Minutes

MEMBERS PRESENT: Cindy Pittman (President), Tom Adams (President-elect), George Van Horn (Past-President), Vendetta Gutshall (Treasurer), Gary Collings (Secretary), Saundra Lange (SW), Jim Murray (C), Cheryl Corning (SE), Theresa Oberley (NE), Patti Kem (NC), Lynn Gosser (E), Pat Pierce (NW).

OTHERS PRESENT: Bob Marra, Karol Farrell

I. Approvals

A. Minutes – Cindy Pittman called the meeting to order and requested a motion to approve the January 18, 2006 minutes. MOTION: Lynn Gosser moved that the minutes be approved. After a second by George Van Horn, the motion was approved.

B. Treasurer's Report and Claim Docket – Vendetta Gutshall distributed handouts for the Financial Report. The February 2006 Docket was presented in the amount of $6,160.38. MOTION: Cheryl Corning moved to approve the Docket as presented. After a second by Pat Pierce, the motion was approved. Vendetta reported that of the $110,600 budget, $58,739.20 had been expended to date. The $9,393.35 balance in the Scholarship Fund is pending transfer to CASE for tax-exempt purposes.

C . Membership Committee – Vendetta Gutshall reported we have 90 Active members in the 328 total membership. She distributed a draft brochure from Brady Smekens. Members noted the 50 th Anniversary of ICASE will be in five years (October 2011).

D . Roundtable Topical Proposals – No proposals. Theresa Oberley reported NE has decided to schedule key presenters for its membership. On March 17, they will hear presentations on FBA/BIP and legal issues. On June 19, they will discuss RtI. Patti Kem reminded the group of the NC topical about Transition issues on April 13.

E. Strategic Plan – Cindy Pittman reported officers met the morning of February 15 as a task force to review the plan and make suggestions for consideration by the members of the Executive Committee. The work group is recommending a facilitator guide an expanded work group in developing a revised plan in a retreat setting by July 2006. The September 12, 2005 CASE Task Force final report titled Design for the Future will be a resource too. It was further suggested Active members be invited to facilitated focus group sessions after the retreat to provide feedback on the revised plan. The Executive Committee would review the feedback at its August 2, 2006 organizational meeting. Cindy said she would work out the timeline.

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. Spring Conference: February 16-17, 2006 – Tom Adams reported 251 pre- registrants.

2. Fall Conference 2006: September 27-29, 2006 – Tom Adams is to explore other sites in addition to the University Inn at Lafayette.

3. CEC/CASE Board Update – Vendetta Guttshall presented a thank you letter from Luann Purcell (CASE) for the ICASE sponsorship ($1,000). In reply to an inquiry, Vendetta will submit e-mail addresses of all board members to make certain all receive the CASE messages. Cindy Pittman attended the most recent CASE Institute on facilitating change. The next CASE board meeting will be in Utah during the April CEC Convention.

4. Vendor Committee – Tammy Ummel is marketing to vendors and expects seven to be present at the Spring Conference. It was suggested at last month's meeting that Tammy send a follow-up thank you letter to vendors after the conference and request feedback on how beneficial the conference had been for their business.

B. Standing Committee Reports

1. Porter Scholarship – Cheryl Corning distributed applications, which will be provided to Forum members and other university trainers. Completed applications are to be returned to her by April 19, 2006.

2. Recognition/Awards – George Van Horn asked that representatives poll their respective membership about replacing clocks for retirees with a scholarship donation in the name of each retiree along with honorary membership.

3. Past Presidents' Council – Executive Committee members and Past-presidents are scheduled for a 6:00 PM dinner on February 15, 2006. Twenty-one attendees are expected for the evening dinner at which Loui Lord Nelson (COVOH) will be the speaker.

4. Nominations – Tom Adams, as President-elect and chair of this committee, will present the following slate of officers to the general membership for approval on February 17, 2006: Pam Wright (Johnson County) as President-elect for 2006-07 and Gary Collings as Secretary.

5. Roundtable Activities – Brett Bollinger and Nancy Zemaitis have presented at East, NE and will be at Central the first week of March. Northwest discussed Highly Qualified and had a presentation on employability from John Hill. Southeast met at Englishton Park and toured the new Three Springs operation.

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 proposed the March 15 Academy have the morning session for RtI/Learning Disabilities wrap-up discussion. The afternoon session will be a discussion of the private school and preschool dilemma for FAPE and related issues. Bob briefed members on the Task Force on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), which he is creating to improve the academic and functional skill development of children. The fifteen person task force is to be co-chaired by Naomi Swiezy (Riley) and Gary Collings (ISEAS). Ann Schnepf will be the director representative and liaison to ICASE. The first meeting of the task force is scheduled for March 13 at DOE.

B. Report: Public Policy and Legislative Committee – Tom Adams reported Joan McCormick is now chairing this committee's work and serving as the KWK contact. The committee met on February 15 prior to the Spring Conference

C. Other Business – Rule 26 - Karol Farrell was present to report on the status of the DEL Rule 26 (Eligibility Criteria) Task Force. The purpose of the task force is to review whether the evaluations and assessments for each exceptionality area are appropriate as set forth in 511 IAC 26. The task force will report its conclusions to Bob Marra. At last month's meeting Karol Farrell presented committee suggestions from the Rule 26 Task Force's review of the Blind or Low Vision and Deaf Blind provisions in Article 7. As a follow-up to the meeting, Karol electronically transmitted a marked up version showing additions/deletions. Members outlined the process as follows:

1. Karol Farrell will transmit future suggestions in a strike-though format to be distributed to roundtable representatives by Gary Collings so members can seek feedback from roundtable members electronically or at subsequent meetings.

2. Representatives from each roundtable should share and review task force suggestions on each disability category with its members.

3. Representatives are to forward feedback to Pat Pierce relating to the task force notes by the noted deadline (two weeks from transmission).

4. Pat Pierce will compile feedback into a single document for review at a subsequent meeting of the Executive Committee. Pat will e-mail the compiled document to members of the Executive Committee and Karol Farrell.

5. Karol Farrell will attend the Executive Committee meetings to hear the discussions on the feedback in preparation for future task force sessions. The following categories are tentatively scheduled for review by the Rule 26 Task Force as follows: February 10 (Multiple Dis., TBI, DD), March 10 (LD), March 23 (Mild Dis.), April 14 (ASD), April 25 (ED), May 16 (OHI), and June 9 (CD).

III. NEXT MEETING : March 16, 2006 (8:30 AM) – DOE (Riley Room)