ICASE Executive Committee Meeting
Executive Committee Listserv <icaseexecutive@googlegroups.com>
March 19, 2009 Minutes
ISEAS Office - Carmel

(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), Margie Labelle (C), Bev Garrison (SE), Lisa Waber (E), Mary Jo Sartorious (NE), Donna Krol (NW), Cheryl Harshman (NC), Steve Wornhoff (Membership and Fiscal), Patti Kem (Professional Development)

MEMBERS ABSENT: Pam Wright (Past-President), Larry Bass (SW), Joan McCormick (Legislative and Research)

OTHERS PRESENT: Hank Binder, Cheryl Corning

I. APPROVALS

A. Minutes – Lynn Gosser called the meeting to order and requested a motion to approve the February 25, 2009 minutes. MOTION: Vendetta Gutshall moved to approve the February 25, 2009 minutes as presented. After a second by Margie Labelle, the motion carried.

B. Treasurer’s Report and Claim Docket – Denise Bashore distributed the Treasurer’s Report including Claim Dockets of $12,751.01 as of February 28, 2009 with a Cash on Hand balance of $239,200.37 as of February 28, 2009. MOTION: Donna Krol moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report including the Docket as of February 28, 2009. After a second by Margie Labelle, the motion was approved.

Lynn Gosser reported that ICASE received a $792 reimbursement check from CASE as a rebate for Indiana members ($6/member). Besides the $10,200 held by CASE, the cash balance in the Scholarship Fund is $3,101.02 as of December 31, 2008.

II. DOE CENTER REPORT – Hank Binder was present to brief members on the IDEA Part B share of the Stimulus Package. He explained Indiana currently receives $243 million of traditional Part B funds and distributes $220 million under the 17% federal funding level. The stimulus package will provide an additional $253 million of Part B funds (+17%) over the two year period (a 34% federal funding level). Indiana’s Stabilization Fund (K -12) amount will be $800 million.

The total amount of these stimulus funds (no set aside) will be passed through by the existing Planning District distribution formula (census and poverty) using the standard application packet. Hank circulated a worksheet showing estimated distribution sums for each planning district (51 cooperatives and 19 single corporations).

Hank anticipates a due date as early as May 1 if districts wish to encumber funds retroactive to April 1. The funding period will be 18 months through September 30th with no retroactive after May 1. September 30, 2011 is the endpoint date certain to use all the allocation through a carry-over application next year. Cash request forms will be required for funds as needed and no excessive amounts of cash can be maintained. Hank acknowledged that he will likely have to consider “partial” funding for activities such as summer school as well as amendments throughout the fiscal year.

Hank noted that the only official guidance from USDOE to date is the ED.gov fact sheet dated March 7, 2009, which was distributed on the Directors listserv (and will be printed in the April edition of the Cable). He and Sharon Knoth participated in a conference call with OSEP officials last week during which it was emphasized that all current Part B regulations are in play with the Stimulus Package and the funds must be used for special education and related services. An FAQ is being developed. The reporting requirements are expected to be extensive but have not yet been received. The Indiana DOE is to allocate Part B stimulus funds as rapidly as possible.

Unless the USDOE declares an exception for supplanting both it and maintenance of effort are still stipulations of Part B. Members agreed that it does not make sense to be able to reduce the maintenance of effort (50% of new monies) and then not be able to retain teachers, for example, that might be released (RIF). Maintenance of effort has to do with total costs. A district has to spend at least as much as was spent the year before. Supplanting refers to particular costs paid by local/state funds that cannot be replaced by federal funds. OSEP had previously held that if a district meets the maintenance of effort provisions, then it also satisfies the non-supplanting stipulation.

Section 300.205 (a) of the federal regulations provide the LEA may reduce the level of expenditures by not more than 50 percent of the amount of excess (new funds). For example, a district receiving $1 million from the Part B Stimulus Package could reduce its local effort by 50% ($500,000). However, Section 300.205 (b) states the $500,000 must be used “to carry out activities that could be supported with funds under ESEA (NCLB) regardless of whether the LEA is using funds under the ESEA for those activities.”

Furthermore, there is a link between reductions in local maintenance of effort and the amount of Part B funds that LEAs may use to provide early intervening services (Section 300.226). In other words, the amount of funds expended by an LEA for early intervening services counts toward the maximum amount of expenditures that an LEA may reduce in its local maintenance of effort and must be taken “off the top”. Section 300.226 (a) restricts an LEA to using up to15% of its allocation minus any amount (on a dollar-for-dollar basis) by which the LEA reduced its maintenance of effort.

In summary, members agreed that the above discussed Part B stipulations seem to conflict with the intent of the Stimulus Package to avert lay-offs and create jobs. Any “freed-up” funds have to be applied to NCLB activities. Districts will likely claim only half (25%) of ther maintenance of effort each of two years. Members noted the funds could likely be applied to transportation as a related service and alternative residential services. Proportionate share for non-public schools and significant disproportionality are confounding issues yet to be addressed, but it appears at this time that existing Part B, IDEA requirements pertaining to these issues will be applicable.

III. EXECUTIVE STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Legislative and Research – In the absence of Joan McCormick, Lynn Gosser reported Joan’s intent to send updates. SB 57 to Transfer Educational Interpreters Certification to DOE was passed in the House (95-0).

In reply to a question, Lynn said the Legislative Committee has been asked to take the lead on the proposed Article 7 revisions (BSEA and Alternative Residential Services). She said Bob Marra had reminded her that BSEA was a point of contention at the State Advisory Council meetings during the full revision process. The BSEA provision remained intact at that time so that the revision could move ahead.

Lynn said that Bob commented that the future dollar amount in the Alternative Residential Services account had not yet been set in the DOE budget. He noted that the application process would need to be addressed. Members acknowledged the need for paperwork reduction but expressed concern about qualifiers and the level of funding.

Membership and Fiscal Management Committee Report -- Steve Wornhoff reported that the following two new ICASE listservs are operational: icasevoters@googlegroups.com and icasemembers@googlegroups.com. He will be asking the web subcommittee to investigate options to utilize conference calls to move the committee’s work. He reminded members that the Hilton Garden is the ICASE direct bill site on the north side for overnight reservations and the Embassy Suites is the downtown option.

Vendetta Gutshall said the Topical process and proceeds will be reviewed when the full committee meets. A question was raised if vendors can also participate in regional topical?

Cheryl Corning said the Scholarship packets will be sent out tomorrow. The next edition of the Briefcase Newsletter will be available in April.

Recognition/Awards (Membership Committee) – MOTION: Vendetta Gutshall moved to send Susie Thacker a bouquet for Administrative Professionals Day on April 22. After a second by Denise Bashore, the motion was approved.

C. Professional Development Committee Report - Patti Kem confirmed the Fall Conference is to be held on September 30 – October 2, 2009 at the Marriott North (Keystone at the Crossing) in Indianapolis. The committee has an upcoming meeting there to confirm details.

Members discussed whether ICASE might become more involved in the Secretaries Seminar in the future.

Mary Jo Sartorious requested permission for Northeast to spend up to $500 of its roundtable funds for an upcoming HI meeting. MOTION: Cheryl Harshman moved to approve the Northeast request to spend $500 of its roundtable funds. After a second by Steve Wornhoff, the motion was approved.

The Spring Conference 2009 is set for February 25 -27 at the Crowne Plaza/Union Station in Indianapolis.

IV. SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORT
A. Lynn Gosser congratulated the newly elected officers, Cheryl Harshman as President-elect and Denise Bashore for her first three term as Treasurer.

Lynn asked to table the discussion of the proposed Roundtable Task Force.

V. SUPPORTING the MEMBERSHIP
A. Identifying and Addressing Membership Needs
1. SLP Task Force Update – No new information.

2. Support for New Directors – Patti Kem said the committee is exploring ways to support new directors beyond the two statewide conferences.

3. RtI Task Force – On March 12, 2009 Tara Rinehart announced Indiana’s RtI guidance document is available at <http:www.doe.in.gov/Indiana-rti/>.

B. Improving/Facilitating Communication
1. Roundtable Reports – Cheryl Harshman (NC) said their group is reviewing assessments for SLPs. They had a second session with school psychologists about how to identify strengths and weaknesses. They are exploring a future topical on restraints with Bakers & Daniels for October. Bev Garrison (SE) reminded members of their RtI topical at Clifty Falls on April 20. Mary Jo Sartorious (NE) said Leah Nellis would meet tomorrow with 85 participants to discuss report writing for SLD eligibility. Lisa Waber (E) said Leah Nellis would meet with them on May 7th to discuss the same topic. They discussed ISTART7 as their last meeting.

VI. PROMOTING/ADVANCING the ORGANIZATION
A. Examining Organizational Structure
1. Summit of Education Administration Associations – Tabled indefinitely

B. Strengthening National Connections
1. CASE Membership/Executive Committee Updates – Lynn Gosser commented that Indiana CASE will be recognized for its membership increase.

2. CEC/CASE Board of Directors Meeting at Seattle (April 1 – 4, 2009) – Lynn Gosser remarked that Pam Wright has had to cancel her attendance.

C. Promoting State Partnerships – Cheryl Corning recommended the speaker Jim Wright, who spoke on the topic of ADHD at the recent IASPsychologists conference. Margie Labelle noted that she had sent John Ellis (IAPSS) a standing invitation to meet with the ICASE Executive Committee. The review of the role and expectations of liaisons was carried over to a future meeting.

VII. OTHER BUSINESS
1. Future Revision of Strategic Plan – Lynn Gosser proposed this as a summer activity.

2. Constitutional Revisions – Lynn Gosser commented that Pam Wright has been making notes of needed changes.

VIII. NEXT MEETING: April 16, 2009