MEMBERS PRESENT:  Cheryl Harshman (President), Steve Wornhoff (Treasurer-June 2012), Jan Dunham (Secretary-June 2011), Lisa Waber (E–June 2013), Saundra Lange  (SW-June 2012), Bev Garrison (SE-June 2011), Jane Sanderson-Winkoff (NW-June 2013), Tom Barth (NC-June 2011), Wendy Hite (Alt. Representative NE 2012 and Secretary-elect June 2014), Tom Adams and Joan McCormick (Co-Chairs Legislative and Research Committee June 2011), Dave Chastain (Chair Membership and Fiscal Management Committee-June 2012)

ABSENT:  Denise Bashore (Deputy Treasurer), Vendetta Gutshall (Past-President), Patti Kem (President-elect) Tom Bell (C-June 2013), Jada Conner (NE 2012), Kathy Hensley (Chair Professional Development Committee-June 2013)

OTHERS PRESENT:   Anne Davis (IDOE), Fran Wood-Osborne (Governmental Affairs Roundtable Representative and President-elect 2011-2012)

I.     APPROVALS

  A.       Minutes – Cheryl Harshman called the meeting to order and asked for a motion to approve the February 16, 2011 minutes.  MOTION:   Joan McCormick moved to approve the February 16, 2011 minutes as presented.  After a second by Bev Garrison, the motion was unanimously approved. 

  B.       Treasurer’s Report and Claim Docket –Steve Wornhoff presented the ICASE Statement of Cash as of February 28, 2011 showing a balance of $297,384.74.  He explained that the balance is high due to the spring conference receipts; however, it does not include the bills from the conference.    Steve shared that the spring conference expenses typically increase by $20,000 due to having the conference downtown.  He anticipates breaking even on the spring conference.  

            The February docket of expenditures, totaling $10,837.74, was presented by Steve for approval.

            MOTION:    Tom Adams moved to approve the February docket of expenses as presented.  After a second by Saundra Lange, the motion was unanimously approved. 

  C.       ICASE Calendar 2011-2012-One change was made to the ICASE 2011-2012 calendar.  The meetings for new directors and the Executive Committee were changed from August 3 to August 2 to avoid a conflict with the state transition meeting.

II.    IDOE REPORT

  Anne Davis gave the following IDOE report.

·                     She shared the budgets for FY 2012 Part B discretionary funding projects.  She explained that last year’s alternative residential allocation was $4 million, higher than this year’s allocation.  Last year’s high allocation was a one year, one time only allocation to make the state current.  The IDOE finance team feels there is a sufficient amount in the alternative residential budget to meet schools’ needs for this year. 

·                     IRN grants have increased over last year due to the addition of the six months that wasn’t included in last year’s grant. 

·                     Sole Source grants (IN*SOURCE, Deaf/Blind Project/PATINS) did not change from last year. 

·                     New Charter Grants allow new charters to receive a proportionate amount of their special education dollars for the first few months of operation until they get their first tuition payments.  If IDOE did not do this, IDOE would have to adjust allocations to all districts.  This way, districts flow-through dollars are not impacted by new charters.  Anne pointed out that charters have to account for the money they receive by completing an application and submitting modifications. 

·                     The line item budgeted for State Operated Schools is also an allocation similar to the new charters. 

·                     Secondary Outcomes Initiative is a grass roots effort to support districts with graduation rates and indicator 13.

·                     The IMAST budget is a  huge increase from last year’s budget due to more students participating this year

·                     Anne asked if districts would like to join in the work of the IRN Centers if there is room.   Those districts choosing to join would not be required to develop a corrective action plan or complete any of the follow-up activities required of those districts mandated to work with the IRN Centers. Members expressed concern that if directors aren’t informed, superintendents might not forward the information inviting districts to join.  Anne said she would inform IRN Centers to inform directors.

·                     Replying to a rumor that grant forms will be changing, Anne shared that they are working on an electronic application, but it is the same form.  IDOE is fixing those things that are not working well, e.g., indirect cost locking.  As soon as the federal government gives the state the dollar amount, the state will have the grant amounts to districts.  Anne shared that her goal would be to have an automated grant similar to Title I.

·                     Anne encouraged teachers to sign up for Tips on Tuesday, the transition tips Teresa Grossi and her center share every Tuesday. 

·                     The Indiana IEP pilot is taking place now, and changes to the IEP are being made as the pilot sites provide feedback.  Lisa Waber shared that questions about the IEP have been answered immediately.

·                     Anne shared that should the APC dollars be allocated for private schools, it won’t impact proportionate share.  It will impact state APC dollars those students generate.  Parents have testified as if this is the magic bullet for their children getting additional services; however, public schools will still hold the authority for the APC money. 

·                     There was discussion regarding IRead 3 and the case conference committee’s responsibility to make the retention decision.  Anne has questioned what the turn-around time for receiving scores will be.  Retention will be a local level decision no matter what.  ISTAR students are exempt from counting toward the 95 % proficient requirement. 

·                     Anne reiterated that if documents in ISTART7 are in a PDF format, they will transfer to the Indiana IEP.  Notices to preschool parents will transfer as long as they are in the PDF format. 

·                     Indiana IEP train the trainer dates are being determined now.  Directors should know those dates in a week to ten-days.  There will be regional trainings, and there will be a limit on how many can be trained based on the size of the district.  Administrators will be trained prior to the IEP going live on June 23.  Train the trainer sessions will begin as soon as the system goes live.  Online modules will also be provided.

·                     Anne reminded members that stimulus dollars must be encumbered by September 30 and spent by December 30, 2011.  This is the same as other grants.  Final reports should be sent to IDOE thirty (30) days after all money in the grant has been expended.

·                     Anne asked that information regarding new directors or any change in administrative personnel for a district or cooperative be reported to IDOE by calling 317-232-0570.

·                     Saundra asked to whom suggestions for improving the Learning Connection can be sent.  Anne suggested ideas be forwarded to James Rodman.

III.       EXECUTIVE STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

A.                 Governmental Affairs Committee Report–Joan encouraged members to read what their representative is sending to them in order to stay current with bills.  She shared that KWK has been asked to make sure alternative-residential is still in the budget. 

Joan and Tom met with Dr. Bob Marra about charters, and Joan shared the information about charters that Dr. Marra shared with them.  It was decided that Dr. Marra would be invited to the April 21 Executive Committee meeting.  Any questions for Dr. Marra should be submitted to Cheryl prior to that meeting. 

Joan asked for clarification about the three Governmental Affairs Committee members attending the Washington D. C. Case Leadership Conference. She asked if the three included or excluded members of ICASE Executive. Joan reminded the members that Tom Adams attends as part of CASE.  Joan asked for clarification so those going can begin contacting their legislators.  The ICASE Executive Committee Expenses budget could pay for members other than the Governmental Affairs Committee.  Three from the committee will definitely go, and if it is decided to send more, that can be determined at a future meeting.  Dave suggested using Roundtable money to send a Roundtable Governmental Affairs representative. 

Joan offered to order pens with 50^th anniversary on them for a money maker next year.  Cheryl asked about allocating some funds for the PD committee to use in their planning for the 50^th anniversary celebration.  Tom Adams suggested Jeff Young prepare a budget.  Jeff will be invited to the April 21.ICASE meeting, and the Professional Development Committee will develop a budget for approval.      

B.                 Membership Committee Report- Dave complimented Michele Neumann on the excellent job she did in organizing the vendors at the spring conference.  Michele Neumann and Dave have met to revamp the patron form.

C.                 Fiscal Management Committee Report-Cheryl will identify someone to chair this committee.

D.                 Professional Development Committee Report – Comments from members about their ideas for improving the conference were shared by Kathy Hensley via e-mail.  Kathy shared in her e-mail that she anticipates a $10,000 profit from the spring conference; however, bills are still being checked for accuracy.

For future conference consideration, Kathy submitted information on the effect to the bottom line should the registration fee be lowered.  Reducing the fee by $50 would reduce profit by $15,000, representing a loss for a downtown conference. Offering the choice of attending the conference on only one-day would mean ICASE would lose the reduced hotel rates for a block of rooms. 

Feedback from members regarding the 50^th anniversary black tie dinner has not been positive. A dinner could still be offered on Thursday night with events to follow on the patio after the dinner.  All of this could be afforded if the fee remains $250 or a separate fee for the dinner and party is charged, perhaps $40. 

IV.   SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS

A.                 President’s Appointments       

  1.        Licensing Focus Group – No report

  2.        IASP/ISHA Best Practices Task Force –No report

V.   SUPPORTING the MEMBERSHIP

  A.       Identifying and Addressing Membership Needs

  1.    IAPSS Coalition of Organizations – Cheryl will be identifying someone to take Margie Labelle’s place. 

B.                 Improving/Facilitating Communication

1.                    Roundtable Topical Proposals –Steve shared that Central is planning a topical for the fall (Nov. 30 or Dec. 2) on executive functioning disorder. 

2.          Roundtable Reports- C, SW, and SE had not met since ICASE.  NE announced Anne Davis is coming to their next meeting.  NW is working on their topical. E has planned its presentation for the 50^th anniversary and Cheryl will join their meeting on March 18.  Lisa also announced that the regional Effective Goal Practices conference will be held at IU East on April 21.  NC met at ICASE and discussed the Indiana IEP and ramifications of IRead 3 on referrals.  They also welcomed new director Dawn McGrath to their roundtable.

VI.      PROMOTING/ADVANCING the ORGANIZATION

A.                 Examining Organizational Structure

1.                  Future Revision of Strategic Plan –Cheryl recommended working on the strategic plan at the June Executive Committee meeting and considering extending it one year. Cheryl will e-mail the plan to members prior to the June meeting so members can review it before the meeting.

2.                  Executive Committee Handbook –No report

B.                 Strengthening National Connections- Tom Adams announced that the CEC conference will take place in April.  There will be CASE activities at CEC. 

Tom gave a summary of the benefits of supporting CASE.  CASE is offering unit memberships for patron clubs, individuals, and corporations, and Tom suggested ICASE consider joining as a patron club.  Dave suggested we table the decision to join until next month.  The decision should be made by June. 

Joan suggested having a fund raiser for CASE as part of ICASE’s 50^th anniversary celebration.  The money raised would go to CASE as a thank you for the 50 years that organization has supported ICASE.  This will be discussed in April. 

C.                 Promoting State Partnerships-No report 

VII.            OTHER BUSINESS

Saundra Lange suggested reminders may be necessary for teachers and administrators about proper use of the Learning Connection.   

VIII.           MOTION TO ADJOURN

Motion to adjourn was made by Jane Sanderson-Winkoff and seconded by Bev Garrison.

 

IX.       NEXT MEETING:  April 21, 2011, Hamilton-Boone-Madison, 10:00 a.m.