ICASE Executive Committee Meeting
Executive Committee Listserv <icaseexecutive@googlegroups.com>
February 25, 2009 Minutes
Crowne Plaza – Union Station -- Indianapolis

(These minutes are considered a draft until approved at the next scheduled meeting.)

MEMBERS PRESENT: Lynn Gosser (President), Vendetta Gutshall (President-elect), Denise Bashore (Treasurer), Gary Collings (Secretary), Larry Bass (SW), Margie Labelle (C), Bev Garrison (SE), Jan Dunham (E), Mary Beth Hamilton (NE), Donna Krol (NW), Cheryl Harshman (NC), Steve Wornhoff (Membership and Fiscal), Patti Kem (Professional Development), Joan McCormick (Legislative and Research)

MEMBERS ABSENT: Pam Wright (Past-President),
I. APPROVALS

A. Minutes – Lynn Gosser called the meeting to order and requested a motion to approve the December 11, 2008 minutes. MOTION: Donna Krol moved to approve the December 11, 2008 minutes as presented. After a second by Margie Labelle, the motion carried. The January 15, 2009 meeting was cancelled due to inclement weather.

B. Treasurer’s Report and Claim Docket – Denise Bashore distributed the Treasurer’s Report including Claim Dockets of $10,588.10 as of December 31, 2008 and $9,422.34 as of January 31, 2009 with Cash on Hand of $223,188.61 as of January 31, 2009.

MOTION: Jan Dunham moved to accept both the December 1-31, 2008 and January 1-30, 2009 Treasurer’s Reports and Dockets as presented. After a second by Margie Labelle, the motion was approved.

Besides the $10,200 held by CASE after paying three 2008 scholarships, the cash balance in the Scholarship Fund is $3,101.00 as of December 31, 2008. At last month’s meeting Denise distributed the new expense claim report, which has been placed on the ICASE website <www.icase.org>.

II. CENTER REPORT - Bob Marra spoke during the combined ICASE Executive Committee, New Directors, and Legislative Committee luncheon, with a time for questions afterward. Sharon Knoth, Acting CEL Director, also attended.

Bob noted the merger of ICAN and Smart Desktop has been launched as a learning connection tool. Nancy Zemaitis is chairing the One Plan work group. Bob mentioned the Center for Educational Leadership and Technology is developing software to link Special Education, Title I, etc. across all monitoring areas. The DOE is being realigned into sections as Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School, and High School.

III. EXECUTIVE STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

Legislative and Research Committee – Tom Adams briefed the board on the January 13th reception hosted by ICASE in the State Superintendent’s office on inaugural day. Tom also attended the opening ceremony of the General Assembly and legislative breakfast at which the Committee members had made some good contacts in spite of the weather.

Tom reported SB 57, which moved interpreters to the Department of Education, passed unanimously in the Senate Education Committee. He remarked the Senators on the Committee were very supportive. Tom expects the bill will go before the House Education Committee the first or second week in March.

Legislative Directories were distributed to each person attending the Executive Committee meeting. Joan asked members to look through the directory for legislators in their area whom they can contact regarding SB 57.

Joan McCormick reported HB 1311 in which insurance companies, not schools, will pay for hearing aids, is moving along. She is not sure if it will pass because of the fiscal impact. She added those interested in checking whether bills have passed should check on Wednesdays.

Joan said the Legislative Committee would like to send five members to the ICASE Summer Institute in Washington, D.C. The Committee agreed Joan should be included in the representation. MOTION: Vendetta Gutshall moved to approve six members including Joan McCormick of the Legislative Committee to attend the ICASE Summer Institute (July 19 – 22). After a second by Margie Labelle, the motion was approved.

Joan added she felt, as Past-President, Lynn Gosser should also be a part of the contingent to the Summer Institute. MOTION: Joan McCormick moved that, as Past-President, Lynn Gosser also attend the ICASE Summer Institute. After a second by Beverly Garrison, the motion was approved.

Joan noted the Indiana statutes only mention Directors along with Principals and Superintendents regarding the February notice for non-renewal. She does not think there would be any chance to open up Article 7 to re-insert the provision for licensed directors of special education.

Membership and Fiscal Management Committee – Patti Kem reported the following as Steve Wornhoff, Chair, had to leave for another appointment. Patti Kem said the status for not-for-profits is still in the works. She also remarked that Steve would like to utilize conference calls for future meetings of this committee.

Professional Development Committee – Patti Kem remarked that David Geeslin (ISD) has a power point about the ISD programs he would like to present to respective roundtables. Patti thought Jim Durst (ISB) might also accompany him.

1. ICASE Spring Conference - Patti Kem distributed the agenda for the 2009 Spring ICASE Conference. On the morning of Thursday, February 26th, the keynote speaker will be Lucille Eber from Illinois.  There will be breakout sessions on both Thursday afternoon and again on Friday morning.  Twenty-eight vendors have registered.

2. ICASE Products - Mary Beth Hamilton will have product order forms available for Thursday.

3. ICASE Newsletter - Cheryl Corning will report to the ISEAS University Forum regarding scholarships. She also said a March issue of the ICASE newsletter is being prepared. She asked members to submit articles when they attend various events.

4. Awards – In addition to the awards already prepared for presentation at the ICASE Business Meeting and Luncheon on Thursday, Gary Collings asked the Committee to approve a Career Achievement Award and Honorary Membership for Paul Ash, DOE, who has announced his retirement in April. He also asked that Mary Murray be granted Honorary Membership acknowledging her upcoming retirement. MOTION: Cheryl Corning moved that Paul Ash be granted the Career Achievement Award as well as Honorary Membership for both Paul and Mary Murray. After a second by Beverley Garrison, the motion was carried.

Other Awards being presented are: Hank Binder (Distinguished Service), Robin Parker (Meritorious Service), Jan Rees (in memoriam), Glenda Hott, Mary Murray, Cindy Pittman, Paul Ash (Honorary), and Pam Wright (Past President).

5. Roundtable Topical Proposals – Bev Garrison (SE) presented a proposal for an RtI workshop on April 20 at Clifty Falls to be facilitated by Sharon Schultz. MOTION: Vendetta Gutshall moved to approve the Southeast Roundtable topical for an RtI workshop to be facilitated by Sharon Schultz at Clifty Falls on April 20. After a second by Patti Kem, the motion was approved. The workshop is open to all. The Roundtable will send in the proposal by the March meeting.

Mary Beth Hamilton (Northeast) said their Pokagon retreat was cancelled due to inclement weather and will be rescheduled. Patti Kem (North Central) said their Roundtable is considering a possible Fall workshop with Baker & Daniels on the topic of safe restraints. Margie Labelle (Central) said restraints and seclusion is also a topic of interest. They are reviewing materials from Illinois. Donna Krol (Northwest Roundtable) commented Cathy Pratt is coming to their next session for a discussion of cross-battery assessment.

IV. SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Nominating – Lynn Gosser presented the report from Pam Wright, chair of the Nomination Committee composed of elected representatives from each Roundtable. The Committee met on December 3rd and January 22nd to fill the President-elect position and the first three-year term for Treasurer under the new Constitution. Cheryl Harshman is the Committee’s choice for President-elect and Denise Bashore for Treasurer.

As ICASE Parliamentarian, Gary Collings was asked to review the process for electing officers. Ballots have been prepared and placed in envelopes for all voting members by the Deputy Treasurer.

Future RT Task Force (Guidelines) -- Officers will review the proposal for a Roundtable Task Force with a recommendation at the next meeting.

V. SUPPORTING THE MEMBERSHIP
A. Identifying and Addressing Membership Needs

1. SLP Task Force Update – No report

2. Support for New Directors – On Wednesday, February 25th a session for new Directors of Special Education and other new special education administrators was held.  Patti reported 25 new directors attended. Speakers provided information on several areas including budgets and grants, alternative and residential services, Medicaid, Deaf-Blind, paraprofessionals, and projects supported through the Center for Exceptional Learners. 

3. RtI Task Force – The RtI website <www.doe.in.gov/indiana-rti> is available through the DOE website, which is being re-formatted. The RtI core state team recently met in Chicago and had a follow-up strategic planning session on December 1 and 2 in Plainfield. At last month’s meeting, Pam Wright offered to forward the notes of the December meeting from Tara Rinehart to the Executive Committee. The expanded RtI task force reportedly will meet in 2009 on a date yet to be determined.

B. Improving/Facilitating Communication

Roundtable Reports – Central (Labelle) held a two-day retreat in January at Culver, to review the RtI draft document. Other items discussed were safe restraints, data, and severe disabilities. North Central (Harshman) held a telephone update with Cathy Pratt on Autism. Southwest (Bass) met on January 20 and shared forms from across districts. Southeast (Garrison) and Northeast (Hamilton) did not meet in January due to weather.

VI. PROMOTING/ADVANCING THE ORGANIZATION

A. Examining Organizational Structure

1. Summit of Education Administration Associations – Indefinitely tabled.

B. Strengthening National Connections

CASE Membership/Executive Committee Updates – Tom Adams, Chair of the ICASE Membership Committee, has had three telephone conference calls with his members. They are expecting to launch a membership drive yet this Spring. The Committee also is working on tools for State units to inform educators about the benefits of CASE membership. Tom distributed a membership list of the 132 Active members as of February 24, 2009.

CEC/CASE Board of Directors Meeting at Seattle (April 1 – 4, 2009) – Lynn noted the board meeting during the annual CEC convention is the one event not reimbursed by CASE. MOTION: Vendetta Gutshall moved that ICASE underwrite Tom Adams’ expenses for the CEC/CASE Annual Board of Directors Meeting. After discussion and a second by Cheryl Harshman, the motion was approved.

Tom asked the ICASE Executive Committee to take a turn and underwrite the cost of a briefcase to be given away at the CEC Convention. MOTION: Jan Dunham moved to donate a briefcase for a drawing at the CEC Convention. After a second by Denise Bashore, the motion was carried.

Midwest Educational Leadership Conference (June 22 – 24, 2009) at Breckenridge -- Gary Collings reported 15 of the 50 registrants to date are from Indiana.

C. Promoting State Partnerships – Members agreed roles and expectations should be discussed at a future meeting.

1. Liaisons – No reports

2. Appointees – No reports

VII. OTHER BUSINESS

VIII. NEXT MEETING: March 19, 2009 (8:30 am), ISEAS Office - Carmel (800-654-7327)