ICASE
Executive Committee Meeting
Executive Committee Listserv
<icaseexecutive@googlegroups.com>
March 18, 2010
Embassy Suites, Downtown Indianapolis

MEMBERS PRESENT: Vendetta Gutshall  (President), Lynn Gosser (Past-President), Cheryl Harshman (President-elect), Gary Collings (Secretary—June 2011), Margie Labelle (C—June 2010), Jan Dunham (E–June 2010), Tom Barth (NC—June 2011),  Jada Conner  (NE—June 2012),  Saundra Lange  (SW—June 2012), Bev Garrison (SE—June 2011), Donna Krol (NW--June 2010), Patti Kem (Professional Development—June 2010)

ABSENT:  Joan McCormick (Legislative and Research—June 2011), Denise Bashore (Treasurer—June 2012), Steve Wornhoff (Membership and Fiscal—June 2012)

OTHERS PRESENT:  Karol Farrell, Tom Bell, Fran Osborne-Wood, Dave Chastain

 I.          APPROVALS

A.        Minutes -- Vendetta Gutshall called the meeting to order and asked for a motion to approve the February 17, 2010 minutes.  MOTION:  Donna Krol moved to approve the February 17, 2010 minutes as presented. After a second by Jada Conner, the motion was unanimously approved. 

B.         Treasurer’s Report and Claim Docket – In the absence of Denise Bashore and Steve Wornhoff, Vendetta Gutshall presented the February 2010 Financial Statement showing a general cash balance of $239,550.46 with a profit to date of $45,150.18 as of February 28, 2010.   The February 2010 docket of expenses for $3,550.17 was presented.  MOTION:  Bev Garrison moved to accept the financial report including the February 2010 docket.  After a second by Margie Labelle, the motion was unanimously approved.  The net loss for the 2009 Fall Conference was finalized as <$2,769.06>.

The ICASE Scholarship Funds held in the ICASE account were $6,576.54 and the funds held by CASE were $10,200.01.  Roundtable balances totaled $6,524.51.      

II.        IDOE REPORT – Vendetta Gutshall asked members for items to be discussed with Dawn McGrath in the future if she is not able to attend today’s meeting:

·         ISTART7 – Donna Krol reported that the systems dysfunctions have interrupted scheduled student conferences resulting in teachers filing grievances in her corporation.  Jada Conner stated that she has developed a template for the IEP as a back-up for the times when the system is down.  Vendetta asked the RT representatives to gather factual information including any financial impact from their respective memberships and send to her for discussion with both DOE and IAPSS.

·         Highly Qualified – Members discussed the conflicting information about the status interpretation of special education teachers being hired or assignment changes after 2006.

·         ISTAR Assessments – the functional and employability fields do not automatically appear as an assessment area requiring a search mode by entering a grade level under the subjects of science or social studies.

·         IMAST – Members questioned whether this is an option for diploma track or certificates since it only goes to the 8th grade as an alternate assessment?  The waiver process is apparently the same as the GQE language but such is unclear from the instructions.  It is necessary to include at least one grade level standard in the IEP. 

·         DOE Task Forces – Members discussed the purpose of both the “high costs” and “cooperative” task forces to be convened in the near future.  Cheryl Harshman reported that she had been informed that each corporation superintendent will receive his/her individual Part B allocation/application to be either submitted individually or collectively through a planning district.  [NOTE:  The next day members of the East Roundtable were informed by Dawn McGrath that grant applications will continue to be sent to the fiscal agent for the Cooperative, not to each LEA.  Individual corporations will, however, need to submit MOE and early intervening service information.]

·         Professional Growth Points -- Vendetta said that she is working with a DOE staff member for the collection and reporting of CRUs from this conference in behalf of the attendees.  She does not expect this DOE connection to be available for future ICASE conferences.  Vendetta has heard that CRUs will be eliminated as an avenue for license renewal after this summer to be replaced by Professional Growth Points or six (6) semester hours.  [NOTE: In reply to the question that CRUs will be discontinued this summer Jan Dunham reported that Dawn McGrath told members of the East Roundtable that CRUs may be converted to points/hour as 1 CRU = 2 hours (2 points)].

·         Restraint and Seclusion – Donna Krol commented that the annual OCR report requires school corporations to submit the number of all students by name, sex, and school building who have been recipients of restraint and/or seclusion.

 III.       EXECUTIVE STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

A.                 Legislative and Research – Fran Osborne-Wood reported that members have been working with Becky Bowman (DOE) regarding the Interpreter guidelines.  Vendetta commented that she and Pat Pierce are also working with ISHA on the SLA registration issue involving the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA).   

As a follow-up to the approvals at last month’s board meeting, Fran confirmed that she, Darrell Mahoney, and Patti Kem would be the three ICASE representatives to attend the July 18 – 21 CASE Seminar in Washington D. C.  Liza Bates would be an alternate.  Cheryl Harshman will attend the summer seminar at her own expense.

 Margie Labelle asked what are the committee’s priorities and how might the Executive Committee identify critical topics to guide the interactions of the membership of the organization?  Members agreed that some priority topics, e.g. alternative residential costs, may not be postponed until a summer strategic planning session.

 Fran responded that the committee continues its work on the speech and interpreter related issues from last year and its plans for a legislators’ breakfast in February 2011.  Members agreed about the need to join forces with IAPSS, ISBA, and IASBO regarding financial issues.  Fran suggested that KWK may also be able to assist us through Kelli’s network.  The discussion concluded with the acknowledgement that the Executive Committee is the body to direct efforts and identify the organization’s priority to be communicated to partner organizations.  Priorities for 2010-11 will likely include:  School Finances, Discipline (a continuum of de-escalation), and Statewide Testing.

 B.                 Membership and Fiscal Management Committee Report- In the absence of Steve Wornhoff, Chairperson 2009-2012, Vendetta reported that the Membership Committee will convene on March 30 at the Hamilton Boone Madison building.

C.                 Professional Development Committee Report - Patti Kem, Chairperson 2007-2010, reported that the keynote presenter, Brad Lindsay, Assistant Superintendent at Mooresville Consolidated School Corporation, requested his honorarium be donated to the ICASE Scholarship Fund.  MOTION:  Cheryl Harshman moved to donate $100 to the Scholarship Fund in behalf of Brad Lindsay.  After a second by Jada Conner, the motion was unanimously approved.  The conference evaluation results will be provided  by e-mail to the board members.

Patti noted that her replacement as Chairperson of the Professional Development Committee needs to be appointed by the President as soon as possible.  She also recommended that staggered terms be initiated for members of the committee.           

The 2010 Fall Conference will be held at the Marriott East (21st and Shadeland). The CEC 2010 Convention (April 21–24) will be held in Nashville, TN.

IV.       SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS

A.              Nominations -- completed

B.       President’s Appointments       

1.         Licensing Focus Group – Vendetta remarked that a liaison may be needed in the future.

2.         IASP/ISHA Best Practices Task Force – Lynn Gosser commented that Leah Nellis and Deb Harmon are arranging a future meeting.  The task force is expected to address guidelines and case studies to reduce the confusion between learning disabilities and language impairments.

V.        SUPPORTING the MEMBERSHIP –

A.        Identifying and Addressing Membership Needs

1.               IAPSS Coalition of Organizations – No new information.

2.               Article 7 – DOE is expected to remove the Board of Special Education Appeals from Article 7.  Vendetta reported that Pat Pierce will host a conference call with planning district Attorneys to discuss their perspective of Due Process and DOE’s selection, training, and evaluation process for Hearing Officers.  ACTION:  Members were asked to send attorney names/phone numbers to Pat Pierce.

Karol Farrell has been named the chairperson of the State Advisory Council (SAC).   Besides the pending elimination of the second tier, the resolution process is under review at DOE.  Karol said that Comprehensive Plans were discussed at the March 5th meeting.  Directors of Districts being re-organized will be asked to inform the State Advisory Committee how they will ensure a free appropriate public education.  The DOE is utilizing the SAC in different ways than in the past and it is constructing by-laws to guide its future direction.  The next meeting is May 7th at which DOE reports on the 20 federal indicators will be reviewed.  

B.                 Improving/Facilitating Communication

1.                  Roundtable Topical Proposals – None

2.                  Support Staff Seminar – Although Cheryl Corning had previously volunteered her staff to host next year’s seminar, the Professional Development Committee might consider regional meetings by Roundtables.  Patti Kem will provide a template to survey support staff.

3.                  Roundtable Reports – Saundra Lange (SW) said Alexa Posny (OSERS) will be in the Bloomington area for a wedding and has accepted the invitation from Kathleen Hugo for a cracker barrel session with directors on May 28th (9:30-11:30 AM) at Bloomington H. S. South.  Details will be transmitted.  Since there will be no fee, members are considering a $10 donations from each attendee to the ICASE Scholarship Fund. 

Jada Conner (NE) requested their RT funds for an April 15-16, 2010 Leadership Retreat to be held at Huntington University.  MOTION:  Margie Labelle moved to approve the Northeast Roundtable to use its funds for an April retreat as proposed not to exceed the available balance.  After a second by Jan Dunham, the motion was unanimously approved.

Donna Krol (NW) said they are planning a Leadership Retreat in May and she requested approval to use their respective RT funds.  MOTION:  Lynn Gosser moved to approve the Northwest Roundtable to use its funds for a May retreat as proposed not to exceed the available balance.  After a second by Margie Labelle, the motion was unanimously approved.

Jan Dunham (E) said Dawn McGrath is scheduled to attend their RT meeting tomorrow.   Tom Barth (NC) said Ryan Brown (DOE) will attend a future meeting to discuss the EV report requirements.  Tom Bell (C) said as a follow-up to their RT retreat, they will continue their work on building communication  with the DOE staff and providing feedback to directors.  Bev Garrison (SE) said they have used their last three meetings to discuss the local RtI models within their region.

VI.     PROMOTING/ADVANCING the ORGANIZATION

A.                 Examining Organizational Structure

1.      Future Revision of Strategic Plan –Vendetta said a June or July date has yet to be selected for the retreat.  Past-Presidents and alternate RT representatives are to be invited and a facilitator(s) to be selected.  Vendetta distributed copies of both the current Constitution and the Strategic Plan outline.  She asked that members review each document, solicit input from their respective RT members, and make notes of needed changes.

Margie Labelle suggested that we re-visit our committees and liaison connections; she advocated for a single point person to each association.  The role and expectations for President appointed liaisons may need to be better articulated.  The collaboration piece will become an important piece for emphasis.

2.      Constitutional Revisions – No new information.  Lynn Gosser previously offered to contact Pam Wright for her notes to be compiled for future discussion.

3.   Executive Committee Handbook – No new information from Cheryl Harshman.

B.                 Strengthening National Connections

CASE Membership/Executive Committee Updates – Vendetta noted that Lynn Gosser, as Past-President, is the ICASE voting member at the CASE board meeting.  Both Lynn and Vendetta’s expenses are covered by CASE and ICASE.  Vendetta asked that ICASE cover the expenses of Cheryl Harshman so she could also attend the CASE board meeting as the ICASE President-elect.  MOTION:  Jada Conner moved to pay the expenses for the President-elect to attend the CEC Convention and CASE Executive Committee board meeting in April 2010.  After a second by Fran Osborne-Wood, the motion was unanimously approved.

Vendetta commented that Luann Purcell has asked that ICASE donate a briefcase to the CASE booth drawing in April at the CEC Convention.  MOTION:  Patti Kem moved for ICASE to provide a $100 briefcase for the CASE drawing at the CEC Convention.  After a second by Cheryl Harshman, the motion was unanimously approved.

C.              Liaison Reports – Vendetta is a arranging a future meeting with Deb Harmon (ISHA) to include Donna Lehman, Mary Beth Hamilton, and Pam Wright.  Deb Harmon also reported to Vendetta some ISHA movement to re-visit the use of B.S. degreed speech therapists.  SLPs have until July 1 to obtain the IPLA license to supervise SLAs without the ASHA clinical certificate of competence (CCCs).

Jan Dunham reported that the INCEC are scheduling a strategic planning session.  George Van Horn is the President-elect.     

VII.     MOTION TO ADJOURN by Lynn Gosser/Bev Garrison was unanimously approved. 

VIII.    NEXT MEETING:    April 15, 2010 (10:00 AM) @ Hamilton Boone Madison (Carmel) 

NOTE:  The May 20 meeting may be cancelled.  The year’s end meeting on June 3 is to be held at the Embassy Suites in downtown Indianapolis.