March 29, 2007 Board Meeting/Workshop

Special Meeting March 29, 2007
Midtown Center Meeting Room 5:00 PM

MINUTES

Chair Vern Newby called the meeting to order at 5:10 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Trustees Edie Brooks, Sid Fredrickson, Diane Zipperer and Christie Wood were present.

Special Education Workshop

Introduction – Superintendent Harry Amend introduced the team who planned this workshop including Dr. Tom Trotter, Steve Briggs, Frances Huffman, Julie Day and Julie Keevy.

Overview – Special Programs Director, Dr. Thomas Trotter thanked Board members and the administration for the opportunity to present this information. He highlighted some of the components of tonight’s presentation: Composition of Special Education, Evolution of IDEA, Funding Provisions and Enrollment Profile. Special Services strives to maximize the potential of all students. The department consists of school psychology, speech language, vision/hearing, occupational and physical therapy, Title 1, student health services, school counselors, safe and drug free schools, CDA 4 Kids and Section 504.

Assistant Special Services Director, Frances Huffman talked about screening criteria for students age 3 to 5 for the district’s pre-school program. Assistive technology or devices are items such as a smaller desk or a specialized keyboard. Some services are contracted to outside persons or agencies such as Psycho-Social Rehabilitation. Medical services for diagnostic or evaluation purposes encompass a large area of medical conditions.

IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), highly qualified teacher requirements were added in 2004, additional provisions came into effect in 2006 for Title 1 schools and final regulations include some additional changes, e.g., eligibility requirements for learning disabilities, students in private schools (we are obligated to provide services if the school is in our boundary, regardless of where student lives) and children who are homeless. Commonly used terminologies include FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education), IEP (Individualized Educational Program), LRE (Least Restrictive Environment), RTI (Response to Intervention) and Maintenance of Effort.

The Continuum of Services take place as a student is identified as possibly needing services. An IEP is reviewed at the end of 365 days and a redetermination of eligibility is conducted after 3 years. Services may be made available within a general education classroom, and students may or may not take part in a general education classroom; individual appropriateness is the determining factor.

Funding provided through Title VI-B funds account for approximately 17% of necessary funding however the expenditure reimbursement needs are roughly 23%. General Fund, Children’s Mental Health, and Medicaid funds contribute to the necessary funding. As student enrollment has increased, Mrs. Wood asked about the availability of information back 5 or 10 years; she is interested in seeing if there is a pattern. The learning disabled student population has decreased due to RTI. Contributions to general education are the RTI process, professional development focused on learning problems which benefits all teachers, consultants, awareness and acceptance of individual differences and programs for highly able (gifted & talented).

Recess at 6:35 p.m. and reconvened at 6:40 p.m.

Finance – Chief Financial Officer Steve Briggs provided an overview of general fund revenue, basic funding, enhanced funding through the formula, and other funding (required services above state reimbursement must be funded through the general fund). Medicaid funds do not require the same maintenance of effort as special education funding. Isolating Medicaid expenses will count against future maintenance of effort. Splitting this out helps when making decisions about Medicaid expenditures. Expenses may be Medicaid eligible but are not always Medicaid reimbursable. Each case is individual and difficult to predict. Chair Newby asked about services available to parents; though rare these services might be written in an IEP. Our district is enrolling more high needs students who are driving the higher costs. Mrs. Brooks asked about their specific needs: autism, medically fragile, emotionally disturbed. The numbers aren’t driving up the costs; it’s the severity of some of the special needs cases. Is it possible to have to cut additionally in the general fund in order to cover the rising costs of special education? Put money into training and the costs will decrease as we reach our goals for students. Julie Day reiterated that Medicaid is a “reimbursement” and rarely do we see 100% reimbursement. This district remains optimistic to be able to move forward without diminishing the program. Building level staff must understand the budget and structure of special education.

Treasurer Julie Day reviewed the three line items that comprise funding and maintenance of effort comparison. How can we maintain FAPE and reduce maintenance of effort? This issue is currently being discussed in cabinet. For the past two years, aide positions have been cut. A cut of 8 full time classified special education positions have been maintained this year. Mrs. Brooks asked if contracted services have replaced some of those cuts? Dr. Trotter responded probably not. The total budget is decreasing in the current year. The majority of parents are satisfied with services being provided to students. Compared to overall budget, we have slowed the growth. The discussion turned toward planning strategically for the future. Assistant Superintendent Hazel Bauman shared these thoughts:

1. Budget awareness
2. IEP Craftsmanship
3. Instructional improvement
4. Behavior management improvement
5. Personnel management

Mrs. Wood suggested continued work on these items:
1. Staff development with a focus on special education budgeting prior to September
2. Work on strategic plan and present to Board by September 2007
3. Provide accurate special education expenditures on a quarterly basis to include fiscal year to date vs. budget and the variance.

Board members agree that budgeting correctly is essential as we enter negotiations.

Medicaid Program - Medicaid Specialist Julie Keevy provided a review of health-related reimbursable services, eligibility, required documentation, reporting, accomplishments, and developing relationships with physicians. She addressed some of the challenges: parental consent, IEP development, additional training, assessment billing, and information dissemination. She commented that she has been in this position for 2 years and that it’s been rewarding to implement positive changes. She has conducted training for other districts.

Mrs. Brooks recommended an effort to lobby at the state level for additional funding for special education, perhaps to identify this as a line item in the state budget. As a local board working with ISBA, draft language in resolutions.

Levy Update – Mr. Amend and Ms. Bauman are currently working with Eric Heringer and Dana Wetzel on the ballot language as we go forward with the menued ballot. Mrs. Brooks asked if the ballot was to be a choice of three questions or some other configuration. More information will follow as legal counsel continue their work on the language. As of yesterday, 20 levy presentations have been given. Ms. Bauman reported that funds are just over $6,000 currently. Several entities will sponsor ads. Jill Neal, Tom Cronin, Mike Kennedy and Hazel Bauman will co-chair the committee.

Meeting adjourned: 9:20 p.m.

Vernon L. Newby, Chair
Board of Trustees

Lynn M. Towne, Clerk
Board of Trustees

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