September 28, 2005 – Fort Wayne Hilton (These minutes are considered a draft until approved at the next scheduled meeting.)
MEMBERS PRESENT: Cindy Pittman (President), George Van Horn (Past-President), Tom Adams (President-elect), Vendetta Gutshall (Treasurer), Gary Collings (Secretary), Cheryl Harshman (NC), Dave Chastain (E), Saundra Lange (SW), Jim Murray (C), Theresa Oberley (NE), Cheryl Corning (SE), Pat Pierce (NW)
OTHERS PRESENT: Luann Purcell (CASE)
I. Approvals
A. Minutes – Cindy Pittman called the meeting to order and requested a motion to approve the August 3, 2005 minutes. MOTION: George Van Horn moved that the minutes be approved. After a second by Dave Chastain, the motion was approved.
B. Treasurer's Report and Claim Docket – Vendetta Gutshall distributed handouts for the Financial Report. The September 2005 Docket was presented in the amount of $5,485.83. MOTION: Pat Pierce moved to approve the Docket as presented. After a second by Tom Adams, the motion was approved. She reported of the $110,660 budget, $8,049.67 had been expended to date. Of the $128,066.75 projected revenue, $84,367.78 has been accrued. Vendetta noted the July 1, 2005 beginning balance in the Scholarship Fund is $8,088.82 prior to fundraising activities at the Fall Conference. George Van Horn commented that a contribution to the Kiwanis had been made in memory of Paul Roahrig. MOTION: George Van Horn moved to donate $1,000 to INCEC Bill Littlejohn Scholarship. After a second by Cheryl Harshman, the motion was approved. Vendetta noted that the scholarship donation would come out of the Special Projects line item of the budget. In recognition of the additional work with the Web Design Committee, Vendetta requested a one-time payment to Greystone Design beyond the monthly fee. MOTION: Tom Adams moved to pay a one-time compensation of $250 to Greystone Design for services rendered to the Web Design Committee. After a second by Pat Pierce, the motion was approved. 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. George Van Horn asked Luann Purcell about the status of depositing ICASE Porter Scholarship Funds with CASE so donors could benefit from a tax-exempt status as proposed in May 2005? Luann reported that the CASE accountant has approved the arrangement with ICASE with no fees attached by setting up an Indiana Scholarship Fund and adding some additional insurance coverage. Vendetta Gutshall will transfer its funds to the CASE account. She noted it will now be necessary to deposit and withdraw funds for payment of Porter Scholarships from the CASE account and then do transactions through the ICASE account. Donations will now be tax exempt; for example, bid amounts above the value of a basket at the silent auction will be receipted as tax deductible.
C. Membership Committee – Vendetta Gutshall reported 312 total members across all membership categories as of September 24, 2005. Vendetta commented that a membership listserv is being developed through which an electronic newsletter may be distributed in the future. Vendetta expressed concern that Active members (CASE/ICASE) have declined from 69 (2003-04) to 51 (2004-05). 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. ACTION: Cindy Pittman asked RT representatives to make personal contact with those 18 directors who are no longer Active members from respective RT lists to be provided by Vendetta. Vendetta Gutshall presented an Organizational Marketing Proposal from Smekens Education Solutions addressing a menu of products including brochures, member packets, membership cards, pins, and a monthly newsletter via an e-mail database. Members endorsed the Membership Committee's expressed interest in moving forward on this proposal and asked the committee to identify priorities to be addressed. MOTION: Pat Pierce moved that the Membership Committee continue to work with Smekens to establish priorities and a timeline as well as cost estimates to come from the Special Projects line item of the budget to be discussed at the next meeting. After a second by George Van Horn, the motion was approved.
D . Roundtable Topical Proposals – In behalf of the East Roundtable, David Chastain proposed a March 1, 2006 session on Effectively Measuring Student Growth in a Data Driven Society with Sharon Henderson as presenter. The registration fee would be $100 with approximately 150 participants and estimated expenses of $3,000 for meals, $1200 honorarium, $500 supplies. MOTION: Pat Pierce moved to accept the East Roundtable proposal. After a second by Jim Murray, the motion was approved. Tom Adams presented a Master Schedule of Roundtable Topicals over four school years. Two roundtables per year at a minimum were designated to offer topicals for revenue stream purposes. Other topicals may be offered with the endorsement of the Executive Committee. Members offered a couple of changes to the proposed calendar. The President-elect would be responsible for coordinating roundtable topicals. MOTION: Vendetta Gutshall moved to accept the Master Topical Schedule as revised with the President-elect having coordinating responsibilities. After a second by Pat Pierce, the motion was approved. In behalf of the Southeast Roundtable, Cheryl Corning presented its November 30, 2005 topical proposal on Cross-battery Assessments with Dawn Flanigan as presenter to be held at Clarksville with a participant fee of $75. MOTION: Pat Pierce moved to accept the Southeast Roundtable proposal. After a second by Vendetta Gutshall, the motion was approved. P at Pierce reminded members of the Northwest Roundtable Topical about RTI with Dr. Jack Fletcher on October 19 at IU Northwest.
E. Strategic Plan – It was the consensus of the members that it seems timely to revisit it. Officers will meet as a task force to the review the plan and make suggestions.
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. Fall Conference 2005: September 28 – 30, 2005 – Cindy Pittman reviewed details of daily schedule including RT breakout session in coordination with the focus group on the Special Education Delivery System Study being conducted by the IU Center for Evaluation and Education Policy.
2. Spring Conference: February 16 - 17, 2006 – Tom Adams reported that Dr. Suellen Reed has consented to be the keynote speaker.
3. CEC/CASE Board Update – Luann Purcell (CASE) discussed the November topical at Scottsdale titled Taking the “Duh” Out of Data. Both Vendetta Gutshall and George Van Horn will be attending the topical and CASE board meeting.
4. ICASE Website < http://www.icase.org> - Vendetta Gutshall commented that the Web Design Committee encourages members to view the revisions on the website.
5. Vendor Committee – In behalf of Tammy Ummel, George Van Horn reported that two vendors (Electro Medical Equipment and Leap Frog) have paid $1,000 each to display at the Fall Conference. Each vendor also donated a raffle item. River Deep has donate logo coffee mugs for participants. Tammy has suggested that the vendor fee be reduced from $1,000 to $500 for future events.
B. Standing Committee Reports
1. Porter Scholarship – Cheryl Corning confirmed that plaques for Porter Scholarships with related tuition funds will be given to both Laura E. Jones (IU Southeast) and Amanda Wilson (ISU) at the Fall Conference.
2. Recognition/Awards – Luann Purcell will confirm the CASE Membership Development Award. George Van Horn will acknowledge Fred McNulty's retirement and Mary Jo Dare's promotion.
3. Past Presidents' Council – Shannon White, retired director of Elkhart County, sent his regrets.
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 – Cheryl Harshman (NC) said they met last week to discuss a topical and work on the CIFMS. Jim Murray (C) said they met earlier in the month to recap summer activities and discuss the DOE Academy seminar. Vendetta Gutshall (NE) said they met in August to discuss HQ, 2% and other items from the DOE Academy Seminar. David Chastain (E) said they met to discuss private schools, resolution sessions and a topical. Pat Pierce (NW) said they met to work on their RTI topical in October. At their next meeting, representatives from Purdue Calumet will attend to discuss its new Intense Intervention training program. Cheryl Corning (SE) said they discussed HQ and met with a staff member from Representative Sodrels office.
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 programs A. Residential Funding - A Joint ICASE/DEL Committee – No report.
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 – The members of the Executive Committee will debrief with Bob around 3:00 PM after the October 20 DOE Academy session.
B. Report: Public Policy and Legislative Committee – No report.
C. Other Business – Cindy Pittman reported that Scott Carson (IN*SOURCE) is working with an FSSA evaluator to host a future focus group session and would like a couple of directors to attend once details are known.
III. NEXT MEETING : October 19, 2005 (8:30 AM) – DOE Division of Exceptional Learners