(These minutes are considered a draft until approved at the next scheduled meeting.)
MEMBERS PRESENT: Tom Adams (President-elect), Vendetta Gutshall (Treasurer), Gary Collings (Secretary), Patti Kem (NC), Dave Chastain (E), Saundra Lange (SW), Jim Murray (C), Cheryl Corning (SE), Pat Pierce (NW)
MEMBERS ABSENT: Cindy Pittman (President), George Van Horn (Past-President), Theresa Oberley (NE)
OTHERS PRESENT: Bob Marra
I. Approvals
A. Minutes – In the absence of both Cindy Pittman and George Van Horn, Tom Adams called the meeting to order and requested a motion to approve the September 28, 2005 minutes. MOTION: Pat Pierce moved that the minutes be approved. After a second by Saundra Lange, the motion was approved.
B. Treasurer's Report and Claim Docket – Vendetta Gutshall distributed handouts for the Financial Report. The October 2005 Docket was presented in the amount of $4,054.95. MOTION: Jim Murray moved to approve the Docket as presented. After a second by Pat Pierce, the motion was approved. She reported of the $110,660 budget, $10,483.06 had been expended to date. Vendetta noted the balance in the Scholarship Fund is $9,385.83 after the two scholarships were paid. She also gave a tentative report of the Fall Conference expenses but the profit had not yet been determined.
At last month's meeting, George Van Horn suggested that the original proposal from Greystone Design of $50 per month be reviewed with the webmaster so she could set a fee expectation for level of services that might be rendered beyond the monthly maintenance agreement. Vendetta received an e-mail (10/13/05) from Cinda describing the monthly maintenance as being the design, translation of materials, and/or uploading any new or updated information taking two hours or less to complete such as: (1) updating information that is already on the website, or (2) putting up new information, e.g., latest approved minutes, conference information, and new products for sale. Cinda will submit a fee expectation for level of services that would require extensive design (three hours or more monthly)
C. Membership Committee – Vendetta Gutshall reported 39 voting members out of 53 ICASE members plus 44 CoCase voting members out of 51 as of October 17, 2005. She distributed membership lists by roundtable for follow-up by respective representatives.
Vendetta presented an analysis of credit card fees from the bank, which maintains the ICASE account. There is a $280 set up fee for equipment and an authorization fee of 19 cents for all cards. She recommended making the credit card option available to the membership for one year beginning in January 2006. Members discussed the need for a surcharge to offset the related credit card fees. Vendetta suggested that such a fee not be charged to Active members (CEC/CASE/ICASE). MOTION: Vendetta Gutshall moved to accept credit cards on a year's trial basis beginning January 1, 2006 with a $5 surcharge fee for Non-active members. After a second by Patti Kem, the motion was unanimously approved. Members noted the need to differentiate unified membership benefits and discussed how to better define active members and what benefits accrue. For example, it was suggested Active members might be offered a significant discount for conference registrations.
D . Roundtable Topical Proposals - Pat Pierce reminded members of the Northwest Roundtable Topical about RTI with Dr. Jack Fletcher on October 19 at IU Northwest. Cheryl Corning reviewed details of the Southeast's November 30 topical on Cross battery Assessments with Dawn Flanigan.
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
Objectives: 1.1 increase communication among colleagues 1.2 provide ongoing support to special educators 1.3 broaden our membership to include all eligible professionalsA. Report: Conferences
1. Fall Conference 2005: September 28 – 30, 2005 – No report.
2. Spring Conference: February 16 - 17, 2006 – Tom Adams reported that Dr. Suellen Reed has consented to be the opening speaker. He is seeking a motivational type of speaker to round out the morning. All afternoon presentations about committees or activities will be to the total group not by strands. Dave Chastain commented that Bose McKinney (Chuck Albright) has offered to pay for reception expenses.
3. Fall Conference 2006: The date of September 27-29, 2006 was confirmed with a location yet to be determined.
4. CEC/CASE Board Update – Vendetta Gutshall will attend the November topical and CASE board meeting.
5. ICASE Website < http://www.icase.org> - Vendetta Gutshall commented that the Web Design Committee encourages members to view the revisions on the website.
6. Vendor Committee – No report
B. Standing Committee Reports
1. Porter Scholarship – Cheryl Corning commented that she had been questioned why we are amassing such a large quantity of funds in lieu of providing more scholarships? Members responded about our desire to make the scholarship fund self-sufficient as well as the need for a consistent revenue flow. Members acknowledged either the scholarship amount or number of scholarships can be increased. Vendetta suggested that the golf outing might be aligned with the Fall Conference and the basket auction designated for the Spring Conference.
2. Recognition/Awards – Members were reminded that nominations for recognition/awards are to be forwarded to George Van Horn for presentation to the Executive Committee
3. Past Presidents' Council – No report.
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 – Pat Pierce (NW) said they will meet November 4 with Purdue Calumet faculty to discuss their new Intense Intervention teacher training program. Saundra Lange (SW) said they are working on a new teacher training program with Jan Henry at Vincennes University. Rhonda Mead from the Southern Indiana Regional Center attended their last meeting. Vendetta Gutshall (NE) said they are working on the transition performance report. Monica Conrad will talk about discipline issues at their next meeting. Dave Chastain (E) said Susan Traynor talked about resolution sessions at their last meeting. They also discussed the transition performance report. At their next meeting, John Merbler will talk about the new Mild and Intense Intervention licensure programs at BSU.
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 programsA. Residential Funding - A Joint ICASE/DEL Committee – to be removed from the agenda
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 developmentA. Report: Division of Exceptional Learners – Gary Collings asked members who should be invited to future DOE Academy seminars if not the 115 directors listed in the ISEAS Directory? He explained one director's concern that sessions should be limited to the 65 dierctors of planning districts since her local district supervisors were excluded. Members agreed to continue to invite the 115 directors or his/her designee.
Bob Marra reviewed the format for the October 20 academy including table dialogue on teacher of record questions. He emphasized the sessions are not training but opportunities for policy input to help shape the future revision of Article 7 rules. The November 16 Academy session will focus on preschool; the January 19 session will focus on learning disabilities; the March 15 session is currently open. It could include private schools, transition, contracting for services, etc. Tom Adams noted that the ICASE Spring Conference will include group presentations from the Academy sessions as well as other statewide initiatives.
In reply to a question, Bob responded that the SIG staff is developing a template for the graduation summary of performance requirement. Bob also explained that the IU Special Education Delivery System Study is an opportunity to provide more flexibility to comprehensive plans by allowing school corporations to first identify the services that each seek and then come up with how those services might be provided, e.g., through relationships, contracts, agreements, etc. with various entities.
John Hill told Patti Kem that Indiana's Medicaid rules were well received at a recent national conference. He wonders if a school psychologist might be added to the current list of those allowed to sign-off on eligibility in Indiana?
B. Report: Public Policy and Legislative Committee – No report.
C. Other Business – Pat Pierce proposed that the Executive Committee form an Article 7 subcommittee. Vendetta commented that we have had such in the past when draft rules were available for review. Tom Adams noted that the DOE Academy sessions are an additional forum for directors to provide input on the policy guiding the rules revision.
III. NEXT MEETING : November 17, 2005 (8:30 AM) – DOE Division of Exceptional Learners