LASALLE/PUTNAM COUNTY EDUCATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION

Transcription

1 LASALLE/PUTNAM COUNTY EDUCATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION 1009 Boyce Memorial Drive Ottawa, IL PHONE/TDD: / FAX: / mchapman@lease-sped.org Date: May 5, 2015 Time: 9:07 a.m. Location: L.E.A.S.E. Office Board Room Type of meeting: Public Hearing on the L.E.A.S.E Amended Budget Motion made by: Ms. Malahy Motion: To call the public hearing to order Motion seconded by: Dr. Carlson Roll Call: Yeas Malahy, Carlson, Baima, Threadgill and Wrobleski Name of person taking the minutes: Mary Beth Snow Name of person presiding: Ms. Sandy Malahy Members in attendance: 1. Mrs. Mary Pat Baima 2. Dr. Jim Carlson 3. Mrs. Sandy Malahy 4. Mr. Cleve Threadgill 5. Mr. Steve Wrobleski Members absent 1. Mr. John Suarez 2. Mr. Matt Wilkinson Also present 1. Ms. Mary Jane Chapman, Executive Director 2. Mrs. Christan Schrader, Assistant Director Summary of discussion: No visitors are anticipated. The proposed FY15 amended budget is $230,765 lower than the current FY15 approved budget. This is mainly due to the change in the TRS rate and not replacing staff that left mid-year. The one change in the amendment from last month is accounting for the shortfall in personnel reimbursement this year because of the proration to 97%. Ms. Chapman assumed that the cooperative would not need to pay unemployment for the director this fiscal year and use those budgeted funds to account for the shortfall instead of sending out another levy billing to districts. That means that levy refunds will be very small this year. There was no public comment. Motion made by: Dr. Carlson Motion: To close the public hearing Motion seconded by: Mrs. Baima Voice vote indicated all ayes. Nays none. Open Meeting Minutes Date: May 5, 2015 Time: 9:09 a.m. Location: L.E.A.S.E. Office Board Room

2 Type of meeting: Regular Name of person taking the minutes: Mary Beth Snow Name of person presiding: Ms. Sandy Malahy Members in attendance: 1. Mrs. Mary Pat Baima 2. Dr. Jim Carlson 3. Mrs. Sandy Malahy 4. Mr. Cleve Threadgill 5. Mr. Matt Wilkinson 6. Mr. Steve Wrobleski Members absent 1. Mr. John Suarez Also present 1. Ms. Mary Jane Chapman, Executive Director 2. Mrs. Christan Schrader, Assistant Director Reception of Guests and Visitors & Opportunity for Public Comment There were none. Approval of Items on Consent Agenda (Open Session Minutes and Closed Session Minutes from the Board meeting held on April 14, 2015; March 2015 Bank Reconciliation; Bills, Financial Report, Investment Report, C.B.S. Activity Fund Report and destruction of the November 5, 2013 tape recorded closed session minutes) Summary of discussion: Ms. Chapman shared an additional bill list and the Investment Report. Motion made by: Dr. Carlson Motion: To approve the Open Session Minutes and Closed Session Minutes from the Board meeting held on April 14, 2015; March 2015 Bank Reconciliation; Bills, Financial Report, Investment Report, C.B.S. Activity Fund Report and destruction of the November 5, 2013 tape recorded closed session minutes. Motion seconded by: Mr. Wrobleski Roll Call: Yeas Carlson, Wrobleski, Baima, Malahy, Threadgill and Wilkinson Remaining Agenda Items Agenda item: Approve the L.E.A.S.E budget amendment. Summary of discussion: This was previously discussed during the Public Hearing Motion made by: Mr. Threadgill Motion: to approve the L.E.A.S.E budget amendment. Motion seconded by: Wrobleski Roll Call: Yeas Threadgill, Wrobleski, Baima, Carlson, Malahy and Wilkinson Agenda item: Approve the renewal of our group health insurance package as recommended by the Director and our Insurance Consultant;

3 Summary of discussion: Ms. Chapman met with Rick Klein from Horton Benefit Solutions regarding our upcoming health benefit renewal. She shared information on our current health package renewal and a self-funded plan based on our current census information. Motion made by: Ms. Malahy Motion: to allow Ms. Chapman the flexibility to work with her employees to choose the plan that is best for them. Motion seconded by: Mrs. Baima Following discussion Motion made by: Mr. Threadgill Motion: to rescind the previous motion Motion seconded by: Mr. Wrobleski Motion made by Ms. Malahy Motion: to allow Ms. Chapman to renew the group health insurance package at her discretion. Motion seconded by Mr. Threadgill Roll Call: Yeas Malahy, Threadgill, Baima, Carlson, Wilkinson and Wrobleski Agenda item: Approve the agreement with Peru Public Schools to provide breakfast and lunch for C.B.S. students. Summary of discussion: This year was the first year we had an agreement with Peru Public Schools to provide breakfast and lunch at CBS. The arrangement has worked well, we have much less waste because we are able to order lunches after attendance and the food is more kid friendly. Ms. Chapman shared a copy of the renewal contract for next year, and there is no price change. She recommend the Executive Committee approve the agreement for the school year. Because our calendars don t match, we are still working on finding someone to provide lunch on the days Peru is not in session at the beginning of the year. Motion made by: Dr. Carlson Motion: to approve the renewal from Peru Elementary School to provide breakfast and lunch for C.B.S. Students for the school year Motion seconded by: Mr. Wilkinson Roll Call: Yeas Carlson, Wilkinson, Baima, Malahy, Threadgill and Wrobleski Agenda item: Approve changes to the Constitution of the Joint Agreement for L.E.A.S.E. to present to the Alliance Council members for adoption. Summary of discussion: Ms. Chapman shared that ISBE has provided some clarification regarding the use of IDEA funds. They have stated that special education cooperatives are not allowed to retain carryover funds generated by a district in the event that a district leaves the cooperative. Because our Constitution does not specifically address the treatment of carryover funds, an amendment is necessary prior to submitting the FY16 IDEA grant application. According to our Constitution, we can make amendments based on a vote taken by mail. The proposed changes were

4 drafted by our attorney and approved by ISBE. Executive Committee approval is needed to send the proposed language out in ballots to our member districts. Motion made by: Dr. Carlson Motion: to approve the recommended changes to the Constitution and send out to the Alliance Council members for voting Motion seconded by: Mrs. Baima Roll Call: Yeas Carlson, Baima, Malahy, Threadgill, Wilkinson and Wrobleski. Agenda item: Approve the proposed changes to L.E.A.S.E. Evaluation Tools Summary of discussion: Ms. Chapman shared proposed changes to the L.E.A.S.E. evaluation tools for CBS Teachers, L.E.A.S.E. Vision Teacher and Speech/Language Pathologists. The rubrics were approved last year at this time, and we have incorporated those into the evaluation plans accordingly. We are asking for approval on the plans for the professional practice part of the evaluations which we would like to begin using next year. We will continue to pilot the student growth portion and bring a finalized proposal to the Executive Committee for adoption in time for implementation in the school year. Motion made by: Mr. Threadgill Motion: to approve the proposed changes to the L.E.A.S.E. Evaluation tools for Circuit Breaker Teachers, L.E.A.S.E. Vision Teacher and Speech/Language Pathologists. Motion seconded by: Mr. Wrobleski Roll Call: Yeas Threadgill, Wrobleski, Baima, Carlson, Malahy and Wilkinson. Agenda item: Accept the resignation of staff Summary of discussion: Ms. Chapman received letters of resignation from Residential/Pupil Personnel Coordinator Cindy Hall and Speech/Language Pathologist, Beth Prostko. Cindy Hall is relocating and Beth Prostko has accepted a position in a hospital setting as a SLP. We have an interview set up for the SLP position, and at this time, Ms. Chapman would like to explore other options before determining whether or not to replace Cindy. Motion made by: Mr. Wilkinson Motion: to approve the resignations of Cindy Hall and Beth Prostko effective June 17, 2015 and June 5, 2015 respectively Motion seconded by: Mrs. Baima Roll call Yeas Wilkinson, Baima, Carlson, Malahy, Threadgill and Wrobleski. Agenda item: Review for possible approval any applications received from local districts for federal funding through L.E.A.S.E. to meet one or more of the highest priority Cooperativewide needs indicated on our recently approved needs assessment;

5 Summary of discussion: Ms. Chapman reported that she has not received any new requests for L.E.A.S.E. Incentive funding. However she has received two requests to discontinue funding for 3 different incentive programs for next year. Because Leland has decided to drop their K-2 PALS program, Ms. Chapman would like to request that the Executive Committee re-visit Wallace s request for funding for a K-2 program for next year to accommodate the students that would have been served by Leland if they were continuing their program. Streator Elementary plans to discontinue both the 2 nd -5 th ED/BD and the 6 th -8 th ED/BD incentive funded programs at the end of this school year. Motion made by: Ms. Malahy Motion: to approve the request from Wallace for federal funding through LEASE to begin a K-3 Life Skills program effective for the school year. Motion seconded by: Mr. Threadgill Roll call: Yeas Malahy, Threadgill, Baima, Carlson, Wilkinson and Wrobleski. Agenda item: Review for possible approval additional positions at Circuit Breaker School for next school year Summary of discussion: Ms. Chapman shared this year we have averaged 30 students and are expecting that to increase to 55 students next year. She noted that we haven t had numbers this high since she has been at the cooperative. She would like to hire 1 teacher and 2 aides which would still keep the tuition about $3500/student cheaper than it is this year. Motion made by: Ms. Malahy Motion: to approve adding the additional three position to Circuit Breaker School next year. Motion seconded by: Mr. Wrobleski Roll call: Yeas Malahy, Wrobleski, Baima, Carlson, Threadgill and Wilkinson Agenda item: Determine the need for regularly scheduled L.E.A.S.E. Executive Committee summer meetings and, as necessary, authorize the payment of summer bills. Summary of discussion: Ms. Chapman explained that we have generally not held regularly scheduled Executive Committee meetings in July and August. If the Committee agrees that no regularly scheduled summer meetings are needed in July or August, the Committee would need to approve the payment of bills for the months of June and July. Again, this year the Committee did not feel it would be necessary to meet during July or August. Motion made by: Dr. Carlson Motion: to forego any July and August Executive Committee meetings unless a special need should arise and to authorize the Executive Director to pay all routine bills during the summer months of June and July as needed. Motion seconded by: Ms. Malahy Roll Call: Yeas Carlson, Malahy, Baima, Threadgill, Wilkinson and Wrobleski.

6 Action: Nays none Passed Agenda item: Set alternate dates for the Fall L.E.A.S.E. Alliance Council Meeting and suggest possible topics/speakers. Summary of discussion: Ms. Chapman suggested the Board set alternate dates for the Fall Alliance Council meeting. Suggested locations as well as topics/speakers were discussed. Motion made by: Ms. Malahy Motion: to set September 24 th at 6:00 p.m. for the annual Fall L.E.A.S.E. Alliance Council meeting with September 10 th as a second choice. Motion seconded by: Mr. Wilkinson Roll Call: Yeas Malahy, Wilkinson, Baima, Carlson, Threadgill and Wrobleski Nays none Agenda item: Approve formal resolutions to recognize retiring L.E.A.S.E. and local district staff. Summary of discussion: Ms. Chapman noted that historically, each year the Executive Committee passes formal resolutions recognizing retiring administrators and special education staff throughout the county. A list of educators retiring at the end of this school year was previously shared with the committee. These resolutions are then presented to the retirees who have been long-time, successful employees of their respective school districts within our Cooperative. Motion made by: Mr. Wrobleski Motion: to formally approve the following resolution with many thanks for their years of dedicated service to students with disabilities within the L.E.A.S.E. Cooperative. WHEREAS «Title» «FirstName» «LastName» has provided excellent and exemplary service to the L.E.A.S.E. Special Education Cooperative and specifically to the «School» School District, the L.E.A.S.E. Executive Committee hereby recognizes and officially adopts the following resolution in honor of «Title» «FirstName» «LastName» and the services that this dedicated local district employee has provided to students with disabilities within the L.E.A.S.E. Cooperative. WHEREAS «Title» «FirstName» «LastName» has dedicated «hisher» career to quality services to students with disabilities within the L.E.A.S.E. Cooperative and... WHEREAS «Title» «FirstName» «LastName» has decided to retire from «hisher» local school district... BE IT THEREFORE FORMALLY RESOLVED that the L.E.A.S.E. Executive Committee on May 5, 2015 unanimously recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of «Title» «FirstName» «LastName» with high honors for «hisher» excellent years of services to «hisher» students, to the «School» School District and to the entire LaSalle/Putnam County Educational Alliance for Special Education. Affirmed with great appreciation on this 5 th day of May, 2015.

7 Motion seconded by: Mr. Wilkinson Roll Call: Yeas Wrobleski, Wilkinson, Baima, Carlson, Malahy and Threadgill Motion to Adjourn to Closed Meeting Date: May 5, 2015 Time: 10:17 a.m. Location: L.E.A.S.E. Office Board Room A motion was made by Mr. Wilkinson And seconded by Mr. Wrobleski To adjourn to closed meeting to discuss: The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees and Closed Meeting Roll Call: Action: Passed Yeas Wilkinson, Wrobleski, Baima, Carlson, Malahy and Threadgill Time of adjournment of closed meeting and return to open meeting: 10:23 a.m. Motion to Return to Open Meeting A motion was made by Dr. Carlson And seconded by Mr. Threadgill To return to open meeting Roll Call: Yeas Carlson, Threadgill, Baima, Malahy, Wilkinson and Wrobleski Agenda Item: Anticipated Action Items after Closed Session Approve FMLA/Maternity leave requests. Summary of discussion: As discussed in Closed Session Motion made by: Mr. Wilkinson Motion: to approve FMLA/Maternity leave requests from Stephanie Atchley and Allison Kaufmann as presented. Motion seconded by: Ms. Malahy Roll Call: Yeas Wilkinson, Malahy, Baima, Carlson, Threadgill and Wrobleski Information Items C.B.S. monthly report Ms. Schrader shared that CBS is going forward with Go Math. They have been discussing the enrollment numbers for next year. They have met to talk about student growth. They are working on completing the PARCC assessments.

8 Preliminary look at the L.E.A.S.E. budget currently on public display to be acted upon after our June 2 formal budget hearing. This budget is based on projected staff and an insurance increase of 8%. We still don t have any funding projections for next year, however, if funding allows, Ms. Chapman would like to budget for new carpet for the main level in the LEASE office and a new roof. Both would require separate Executive Committee approval and approval from ISBE because any projects over $25,000 require a separate application. Update on Professional Development planning for next school year Ms. Chapman previously shared a summary of the discussion from the L.E.A.S.E. Steering Committee meeting. Many of the needs this year are centered around assessment. New this year was the request for webinars offered directly after school so teachers don t have to be out of their classrooms. Another suggestion was to have different districts act as the host for trainings. This information will be shared with coordinators so we can develop trainings to meet the needs identified. LEASE Office summer hours Ms. Chapman shared that the L.E.A.S.E. Office will begin its summer office hours on Monday, June 8. The office will be open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. and on Fridays from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. through August 7. All district superintendents will be informed of this summer work schedule. L.E.A.S.E. assistance available for special education pupil reimbursement claims and billings Ms. Chapman shared that again this summer, L.E.A.S.E. Coordinators will be available to visit districts and assist those district staff members who have requested help completing pupil reimbursement / billing paperwork. L.E.A.S.E. will not offer a general training on the reimbursement claiming process for district staff this year. Please return the form indicating if you would like extra assistance with reimbursement claims from your coordinator. If no assistance is requested, please indicate zero days. Update on recent L.E.A.S.E. / Legislative / Medicaid and I.S.B.E. initiative We still haven t received proportionate share calculations for FY16. Districts may have to hold their Timely and Meaningful Consultations without that information. If we don t have it by the end of the week, Ms. Chapman will put out a memo to that effect. All IDEA grant reimbursement requests are due to L.E.A.S.E. by the end of the day May 8 th. We will be unable to process any claims made after that date. If you need to complete MOE Exception worksheets, they are due May 22 nd. Non-Agenda Items from the Executive Committee/Director There were none. Approval of Motion to Adjourn Motion to adjourn made by Dr. Carlson Motion seconded by Mr. Threadgill Time of adjournment: 10:37 a.m. Post Meeting Action Date minutes approved: June 2, 2015 Date minutes were available for public inspection: June 2, 2015 Date minutes were posted on Alliance website: June 2, 2015

9 VI. 1 LaSalle /Putnam County Educational Alliance for Special Education Susan A. Bruner, Principal Telephone Circuit Breaker School Fax th Street Peru, Illinois To: From: Re: Mary Jane Chapman, Director Susan Bruner, Principal End of Month Report/April Date: April 30, 2015 This month we had 34 students with three new students entering the program. This month we celebrated the achievements of our students who were recognized for Behavioral and Academic Honor Roll success. 8 students, their family members, and staff attended a celebratory breakfast and accepted awards for their efforts. The breakfasts will continue to be held on a quarterly basis. Professional development for staff continued this month with a visit from our PBIS Consultant, Rebecca Harris and LEASE Coordinator Kathy Fox on Understanding By Design. Circuit Breaker has had multiple visits this month from school district representatives and potential students and their families. The PBIS Team reviewed data to establish a plan for the last month of school. Specific behaviors will be targeted and ticket flooding will be in place to encourage positive student behavior during the final month of school before summer break.

10 CBS Monthly Statistic Report for April New students enrolled for the first time this month: 3 2. Total of all students who were on CBS rolls at anytime this 34 month: 3. Number of students on rolls at end of month: Number of boys on rolls at end of month: Number of girls on rolls at end of month: 3 6. List all students who entered the CBS program this month: Student s Name Sending District Date Entered Boy LP H S # Boy Mendota Elem. # Boy LaSalle Elem. # List students returned to sending, or other responsible district, for any reason this month: Student s Name Sending District Date Entered 8. List students staffed to residential or other alternative placement this month: Student's Name Sending District Date Dropped Boy LaSalle Elem. # Girl Streator Elem. # List students who have dropped and are not included in #7 or #8 above: Student's Name Sending District Date Dropped Boy Ottawa H.S. # Boy LaSalle Elem. # Attendance Summary: Total Days Excused & Unexcused Alternative Educational Placements Total Days Absent Total Days Present Percent of Absenteeism 88-8 = 80 / 620 = 12.90%

11 Circuit Breaker School Absence Report April 2015 Number District Enrolled Excused Unexcused Other Total Percent % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % Totals %

12 94.00 CBS Attendance

13 CBS April Behavior Report Total (blank) (blank) (blank) (blank) Contacted Family Removed from Area Sent to Stop & Think Spot Sent to Time Out Room