January 08 Executive Meeting

ICASE
Executive Committee Meeting

Executive Committee Listserv< executive@icase.org>

DOE/DEL (Riley Room)

January 30, 2008

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

MEMBERS PRESENT: Pam Wright (President), Lynn Gosser (President-elect), Tom Adams (Past-President), Vendetta Gutshall (Treasurer), Gary Collings (Secretary), Larry Bass (SW), Lucy Witte (C), Cheryl Corning (SE), Jan Dunham (E), Mary Custer (NE), Donna Krol (NW), Cheryl Harshman (NC), Denise Bashore (Membership and Fiscal), Patti Kem (Professional Development), Joan McCormick (Legislative and Research)

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS PRESENT: Bob Marra

I. APPROVALS

A. Minutes – Pam Wright called the morning meeting to order and requested a motion to approve the December 13, 2007 minutes. MOTION: Cheryl Harshman moved to approve the minutes. After a second by Connie Griffith, the motion carried. Lynn Gosser abstained due to her absence from the meeting.

B. Treasurer's Report and Claim Docket – Vendetta Gutshall distributed the financial report showing a remaining balance of $160,434.31 in the $242,000 budget and a docket of expenses in the amount of $7,910.54. MOTION: Lynn Gosser moved to accept the financial report and approve the docket as presented. After a second by Tom Adams, the motion was approved. Vendetta will do another follow-up with the four Fall Conference registrants that have yet to pay for the extra meal.

The Scholarship balance on hand is $4,412.43 plus $8,200 held by CASE. The total balance in the Roundtable Account for distribution is $16,633.92.

Vendetta commented that the Roundtable distributions are not provided until June, however, the Central Roundtable held a retreat in January and is faced with a shortfall of $414.42 after a $2,500 sponsorship contribution from Pearson. MOTION: Lynn Gosser moved to approve an early draw of $414.42 for Central Roundtable to be reconciled in the June distribution. After a second by Donna Krol, the motion was approved.

II. DIVISION REPORT

A. 2007 Child Count Census - Bob Marra presented the data indicating the overall increase of 0.38% is the lowest to his recollection. LD and Mild Disability have decreased, but Autism has increased 12.7%. Over half (56.5%) of the early childhood census comes from Part C programs.

His question for the group was why Other Health Impairments increased 10%? Members responded that the increase is likely due to ADD/ADHD, a more desirable label than ED, ineligible for LD due to RtI practices, and increasing childhood medical conditions, e.g., diabetes, asthma, etc. Bob announced the APC is about $5 million below its appropriation level, so the APC formula will be fully funded with no shortfall.

B. RtI Summit – Indiana’s core team has met once since the December summit. The Indiana team currently includes six DOE representatives, one superintendent and one assistant superintendent, and a single representative from AFT, NEA, IN*SOURCE, and the IASPrincipals. The team will be expanded to include a director. The team is now collecting models from other states from which to prepare a guidance document for distribution by May 2008 for professional development purposes.

The core team will also begin to look at alternative funding approaches to APC and preschool services (guaranteed amount, reimbursement for preventative services, census and poverty, etc.) and will bring in various resource persons to offer testimony. The team’s recommendations would be prepared for next year’s (2009) General Assembly.

C. Monitoring – Bob explained the OSEP citation that has caused DEL staff to review data from 2005 through 2007. DEL is developing a four tier system beginning with the 2005-06 data (graduation rates, drop-outs, etc.). Next will be a performance review process with a 60 day timeline to inquire why the shortcomings occurred. There are nine (9) compliance indicators (transition, three-year re-evaluations, etc.) that will be the focus of the re-work and then the remaining 11 indicators will follow. Nancy Zemaitis will be the lead person for monitoring. Besides “desk” audits, the DEL staff will do on-site verification visits as needed. Substantial compliance will be granted at the 95% level. Delayed funding would be the ultimate sanction. The Minnesota Regional Resource Center has review Indiana’s new monitoring plan and provided encouraging feedback.

III. EXECUTIVE STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

A. Legislative and Research Committee --At the October 2007 meeting, Pam Wright’s recommendation for Joan McCormick as chairperson of the Legislative and Research Committee for 2007-08 was approved. A member from each roundtable serves on the committee. The President-elect and Past President are standing members.

1. Development of a Legislative Agenda – Joan McCormick reported the committee is focused on outreach with its SB 251 association partners of Urban Schools, IAPSS, ISBA, IASP, and ISTA. She and Tom Adams met with John Ellis and Frank Bush and had a productive conversation. John Ellis has invited the two of them to join him in a future meeting with Suellen Reed.

Joan reported the ICASE Legislative Platform contains the following three goals: (a) provide leadership to the ICASE membership regarding the legislative process and current issues; (b) increase collaboration with the lead educational agencies, i.e., ISBA, IAPSS, and Urban Schools Association; and (c) increase the involvement and commitment to the legislative process on behalf of the special needs children of Indiana and ICASE. Joan requested permission to purchase logo name badges to identify ICASE committee members when meeting with legislators.

2. Evaluation of Lobbyist – Joan complimented Kelli Waggoner on having set up meetings with legislators on the first day of the session to help ICASE establish a presence. KWK is now filtering the health area bills by key words to catch any add-ons relative to special education. Tom Adams reported he has the KWK renewal contract with no changes. MOTION: Tom Adams moved to renew the KWK contract for 2008 with no changes. After a second by Patti Kem, the motion was approved. Tom will forward the agreement to Pam for her signature with a copy to be mailed to KWK and Vendetta Gutshall.

3. Activities at State and National Levels – Joan requested ICASE support members of the Legislative Committee to attend the CASE Summer Institute at Washington D. C. on July 13 – 16^th. Senator Becker continues to be interested in what needs to be done to build SLP capacity at the university level.

B. Membership and Fiscal Management Committee – At the November 2007 meeting, Pam Wright’s recommendation for Denise Bashore as the chairperson for Membership and Fiscal Management for 2007-2009 was approved. The Secretary and Treasurer are standing members.

1. Plan development for long term fiscal management – Denise Bashore reported she has acquired sufficient background information to set-up subcommittee meetings to include the following: (a.) Patron Membership – Tammy Ummel, (b.) Porter Scholarship – Cheryl Corning, (c.) Product Development – Mary Beth Hamilton, (d.) Website – Tom Hermiz, and (e.) Newsletter – Cheryl Corning. Vendetta Gutshall reported the Newsletter subcommittee will be meeting next week for training by Brady Smekens on the set-up.

C. Professional Development Committee – At the December 2007 meeting, Pam Wright’s recommendation for Patti Kem as chairperson of the Professional Development Committee for 2007-2010 was approved. Both the President and Deputy Treasurer (yet to be selected) are standing members.

1. Spring 2008 Conference: February 27-29, 2008 (Sheraton Downtown Indianapolis) - At the December meeting, Patti Kem reported the former downtown Radisson is now a Sheraton, which will be the site of the February conference. The program and registration will be posted to both the ICASE and ISEAS Listservs, as well as printed in the February issue of the Cable.

Wednesday (February 27) will be board meetings and the Past Presidents’ dinner (6:00 PM). Thursday (February 28) AM will include a motivational speaker (Tyler Green) followed by a status report on Article 7 by Bob Marra. Cathy Pratt will make a luncheon presentation. The afternoon will include break-out sessions yet to be determined. The evening will include a reception and the annual Basket auction scholarship fund raiser. Friday (February 29) will include the business meeting and awards program, DEL report by Bob Marra, and a business luncheon for members of both the ICASE Executive Committee and ISEAS University Forum.

Dennis Born has requested a vendor table. Members agreed his table would be provided at no cost since he represents a state agency and is not selling any products. Bose McKinney and Evans is a conference sponsor. Baker & Daniels will sponsor the keynote speaker. MOTION: Vendetta Gutshall moved to grant Tyler Green a $1,000 honorarium plus expenses as the conference key note speaker. After a second by Donna Krol, the motion was approved. MOTION: Lynn Gosser moved to purchase 1,000 sticky note pocket folders. After a second by Cheryl Harshman, the motion was approved.

2. Fall 2008 Conference: September 17 – 19, 2008 (Fort Wayne Hilton/Grand Wayne Convention Center) – At a previous meeting, Lynn Gosser noted current CASE President, Dr. Christy Chambers, will be a featured speaker. Patti Kem is accepting proposals for breakout sessions.

3. Roundtable Topical Proposals:

a. April 29, 2008 (Northwest) – At a prior meeting, Donna Krol reported

Dr. Rob March is to present on “Positive Behavior Supports” at the IU North campus in Gary.

b. June 4, 2008 (Southwest) – At the December meeting, Larry Bass received approval for Southwest to host a topical, which Larry reported has been realigned to Differentiated Instruction to be presented by Sharon Schultz at the Southern Indiana Career Center in Evansville.

c. Fall 2008 (East) - Jan Dunham previously reported they are also considering a session by Dr. Rob March.

d. Spring 2009 (Southeast) – At the December meeting, Cheryl Corning said they are talking with IU Southeast faculty about a seminar on assessment of ESL students as well as a Spring 2009 topical at Clifty Falls State Park.

IV. SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS

A. Nominating -- Chairperson, Tom Adams as Immediate Past President, reported a unified member from each RT has been elected to serve along with Lynn Gosser as President-elect. Tom convened the committee on January 9, 2007 and reviewed the constitutional revisions, discussed desirable candidate attributes, and developed a nomination form to be disseminated by Roundtable representatives.

Members met on January 29 to discuss whether the slate would be single or multiple candidates for each office. The majority of the members accepted the motion to limit the slate to one candidate per office. A candidate for each office was selected by confidential ballot. MOTION: Tom Adams moved the 2008-09 slate of officers include Vendetta Gutshall for President-elect and Gary Collings for Secretary. After a second by Jan Dunham, the motion was approved. Both Vendetta Gutshall and Gary Collings abstained from the vote. Members complimented Tom on implementing the new nomination process.

Tom Adams recommended the Treasurer prepare a ballot with the nominees and a space for write-in candidates for all unified members to use at the business meeting. If Vendetta is elected at the business meeting, she would be required to resign her position as Treasurer for the second year of her term. The Executive Committee would appoint an interim treasurer for the duration of her term through June 2009.

B. Recognition/Awards – Pam appointed the Past President, Tom Adams, as chairperson at the October 2007 meeting. The June 30 retirement of both Mary Kay Davis (JESSE) and Charis Snyder Gilbert (East Noble) was presented. MOTION: Patti Kem moved to grant honorary membership to both Mary Kay Davis and Dr. Charis Snyder Gilbert with an ICASE contribution to the Scholarship Fund in recognition of their retirement. After a second by Cheryl Harshman , the motion was approved.

Dr. Jan Rees requested her Honorary Membership be postponed for a year in light of her recent decision to extend her current employment through June 2009.

V. SUPPORTING the MEMBERSHIP

A. Identifying and Addressing Membership Needs

1. Needs Assessment update – Lynn Gosser reported this is being compiled.

2. SLP Task Force update – Pam Wright reported on the January 24 SLP subcommittee meeting with six university trainers. Emergency permits were a focus of discussion and how trainers might better prepare the bachelor’s level candidates, such as work with local schools for clinical observations, identify master’s level mentors for observations, connect with IHEs for job fairs in the Fall, connect with ISHA student chapters on each campus. All members agreed on the need for a Speech consortium through a distance education model. IUPUI will soon be starting a Speech Therapy program and have employed a staff member for planning purposes.

3. Article 7 Work Group update – Lynn Gosser reported on the last State Advisory Committee meeting. The work group is reviewing a draft of the ICASE position to be presented at the Spring Conference. Recognizing various opinions on different topics members of the work group will include areas where agreement can be reached and will take no position in the areas of disagreement.

Bob Marra commented his presentation of the Article 7 on February 6 to the State Board of Education will be available through a web broadcast. He will recommend excluding the ESY guidelines from the regulations and limit the points of parent consent to the eight (8) required by federal regulations. The State Board will post the article in the Indiana Register and schedule public hearings in South Bend, Fort Wayne, Southeast and Southwest regions, and Indianapolis on April 2 (9:00 AM) with the full board. The State Board is expected to take action on the article at its May meeting.

The ICASE position paper will only be presented at the April 2 State Board meeting. Directors are encouraged to attend the regional hearings and file his/her individual opinions.

4. Support for New Directors – Pam Wright has made e-mail contact to see if any need assistance.

5. Support for New Executive Committee members – Tom Adams is available to assist new members. Lynn is working with Patti Kem. Denise Bashore has met with Pam and Gary for background information.

B. Improving/Facilitating Communication

1. Roundtable Reports – Mary Custer (NE) said they are considering a topical; she commented they have 35-40 in attendance at each meeting. Lucy Witte (C) said they recently held a retreat with topical presentations by directors and an

Article 7 session with Bob Marra. Connie Griffith (SE) said they are planning for a summer training session of paraprofessionals. Jan Dunham (E) said they had both the Youth Law Team representatives and Dennis Born at their last meeting. Larry Bass (SE) commented on low attendance and how he might increase participation.

2. Website/Listserv – Vendetta discussed the new to review the ICASE web content and prepare updates for the webmaster.

3. Electronic Newsletter – to be chaired by Cheryl Corning

VI. PROMOTING/ADVANCING the ORGANIZATION

A. Examining Organizational Structure

1. Executive Director/Administrative Assistant Task Force – Pam Wright commented these personnel considerations were under the purview of the Fiscal Management Committee

2. Roundtable Membership/Structure – Roundtable Representatives are not currently aware of any directors wishing to realign to another region.

B. Strengthening National Connections

1. CASE Executive Committee – Gary Collings, chairperson of the CASE Research Committee, attended the Winter Institute and the January 18 – 19, 2008 CASE Executive Committee meeting at Miami Beach, with expenses paid by CASE. He reported on his involvement as Research Liaison with a national licensure study and a future national study about factors influencing a career in special education administration.

2. CASE Winter Institute (Miami Beach) – Patti Kem, Donna Krol, and Larry Bass were sponsored by ICASE to attend the CASE Winter Institute in

January 16 – 18, 2008. Pam Wright and Lynn Gosser also attended with support from their districts.

3. CEC/CASE Meeting in Boston (April 2) – Pam Wright, Tom Adams, and Patti Kem will be in attendance

4. CASE Leadership Institute in Washington D.C. (July 13 – 16) – Members discussed supporting the attendance of the nine (9) members of the Legislative Committee. In future years a rotation schedule may be offered to limit the numbers. MOTION: Patti Kem moved to support up to nine (9) members of the Legislative Committee to attend the July 13-16 CASE Leadership Institute in Washington D.C. for registration, travel, lodging, and incidentals, with the committee devising a plan for future committee attendees to attend on a rotating basis. After a second by Cheryl Harshman, the motion was approved.

C. Promoting State Partnerships – No Reports.

1. Liaisons – Members Designated by the President

a. ASK/IN*SOURCE (Patti Kem)

b. IAPSS/ISBA (Margie Labelle)

c. IASPrincipals (Larry Bass)

d IASPsychologists (Cheryl Corning)

e. INCEC (Jan Dunham)

f. ISHA (Mary Beth Hamilton)

g. Medicaid (Tom Adams)

h. University Forum (Cheryl Corning)

2. Appointees – Other Agencies/Associations

a. ASK/IPIN (Jim Sands)

b. Center for Evaluation and Education (Pam Wright)

c. DOE Division of Professional Standards Committee (Mike Horvath)

d. FSSA/DDARS/DHHS Interpreters (Nancy Holsapple)

e. ISBLIND (Cindy Pittman)

f. ISDeaf (Patti Kem)

g. State Advisory Council (Karol Farrell)

h. State Improvement Grant (George Van Horn)

i. Community Alternatives Grant – Mental Health Agency (Mary Beth Hamilton)

VII. OTHER BUSINESS – None

VIII. NEXT MEETING: February 27, 2008 (11:00 AM) – Downtown Sheraton

*February 29 (12:00 Noon) Lunch and Dialogue Session