ISBVI Board Meeting
January 14, 2008
9:30 a.m.
ISBVI Board Meeting Minutes
Members Present: Ms. Shirley Amond, Chair
Ms.
Cynthia Pittman, Vice-Chair
Mr. Gary Bates
Mr. John Hill for Dr.
Robert Marra
Mr. Donald Koors
Members Not Present: Senator Teresa Lubbers, Ms. Kathy Botkin
Administration Present: Mr.
I. Call to Order
Ms. Amond called the meeting to order at 9:45 am and took roll.
II. Approval of Minutes
The minutes from the October 15, 2007 meeting were reviewed. Ms. Pittman
moved for approval of the minutes as distributed. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bates;
the minutes were approved as submitted.
III. Chair Remarks
Ms. Amond welcomed everyone to the ISBVI Board meeting.
IV. Special Recognition
Mr. Durst recognized and thanked Mrs. Julie Newman for her outstanding service to our students and staff in the music department. Mr. Durst also recognized and thanked Mrs. Linda Francisco for all her hard work on the Holiday Program. Mrs. Francisco is a wonderful ambassador for the staff and students at ISBVI.
Mrs. Amond also congratulated both ladies for the wonderful jobs done on the Holiday Program.
V. Superintendent’s Report
A. Special Presentation
Mr. Tim Ryan and several of the
art students presented to the Board an award that the students won from the
City of
Mr. Durst and Ms. Amond both congratulated and thanked Mr. Tim and the students for the award.
B. New Employees
Mr. Durst introduced several new employees to the Board. They were Ms. Ann Leiber, Substitute Teacher; Mr. James Fredwell, Residential Mentor; Ms. Tanya Dumas-Hodges, Secretary 3 in the IERC; and Ms. Darlene Kane, Residential Mentor.
C. School Update
Mr. Durst explained to the Board that the Indiana Blind
Children’s Foundation is pursuing a significant grant to build another
building on campus which would implement Action 3 of the new ISBVI Strategic
Plan which would establish a state-of-the-art developmental assessment and
training center. This center would
house the IERC, Outreach Department, Low Vision Clinics,
The Holiday Program was a success.
The second semester began Monday, January 7, 2008.
D. Monthly Financial Statements
Mr. Owens explained to the Board that PeopleSoft was scheduled to “go
live” on January 2, 2008.
This did not happen because there were several State agencies that were
not ready to “go live”.
The projected “go live” date will be March 3, 2008.
Mr. Owens presented the financial statements (Attachments 2A, 2B and 2C). Attachment 2A, October 31, 2007, the year was 33 1/3% over and 30.04% of the Allotment had been spent. There were three pay periods in October. Point one still looks to be in good shape and Point seven covers expenses from Workers Compensation and Unemployment. Theses expenses cannot be controlled. Attachment 2B, November 30, 2007, the year was 41.6% over and 37.44% of the Allotment had been spent. Attachment 2C, December 31, 2007, the year was 50% over and 47.13% of the Allotment had been spent. The Governor has requested that all State agencies decrease their budgets by 5%. Thus there is a change in the Allotment from the November statement to the December statement. This change reflects the 5% reduction. As of December 31, 2007, ISBVI has spent less than 50% of the Allotment.
Also, Mr. Owens informed the Board that Ms. Joan Thoben, Accountant 3, retired from ISBVI on December 31, 2007. Also, Ms. Linda Williams, purchasing clerk, resigned from her position as of January 11, 2008 for personal reasons.
Ms. Amond questioned if there would be another 3 pay period month in the current budget. Mr. Owens responded that yes there would be another 3 pay period in April.
E. 5%
The Governor has asked that all State agencies reduce their budgets by 5%. Mr. Durst and Mr. Owens have met with the State Budget Agency, and ISBVI is complying with the Governor’s request. While it is believed the school will be able to fulfill this requirement, unknown expenditures and added expenditures such as salary increases may impact the outcome.
F. Department of Education MOU
Mr. Durst explained to the Board that the MOU is developed in response to requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Indiana’s rule at 511 IAC 7 (Article 7).
Mr. Durst requested that the Board approve for the Board
Chairperson, Ms. Amond and Mr. Durst sign the Interagency Agreement between the
Indiana Department of Education, Division of Exceptional Learners and the
Mr. Bates moved for the approval of the Board Chairperson,
Ms. Amond and Mr. Durst to sign the Interagency Agreement between the Indiana
Department of Education, Division of Exceptional Learners and the
G. Personnel Actions Updates
Attachment 3A is the November Personnel Status Summary with 179 FTE Filled, 26
FTE Pending totaling 205.
Attachment 3B is the December Personnel Status Summary with 177 FTE
Filled, 28 FTE Pending totaling 205.
Attachment 3C is the January Personnel Status Summary with 177 FTE
Filled, 28 FTE Pending totaling 205.
Attachment 4A is the Personnel Actions for November with three
separations, four new hires, one transfer to intermittent from full-time
position, and one promotion to Residential Mentor. Attachment 4B is the December Personnel
Actions with two separations, one promotion to Residential Mentor, one rehire,
one name change of employee, and one salary change due to the completion of
additional college coursework hours.
Attachment 4C is the January Personnel Actions with one separation and one
new hire.
H. Vacant Positions
Refer to Vacant Positions - Pending (Attachments 5A, 5B and
5C). Some of these positions are pending and posted. Some of these are pending and we are
holding these positions at this point to see where we are in terms of need and
financial resources.
Improve Campus Security: The front gate is not operational. Moorehead Electric Company is working on
getting the issues resolved.
Re-coring Campus: Waiting
for the contractor to furnish the computer software so that we can identify key
distribution. (Our original
representative from Best Access Systems has been transferred to another state,
and we have been trying to work these problems out with the new
representative.)
Fire Alarms: Electric Plus is the low bidder on the project. The alarms and sprinklers will be
installed in all the dormitories sleeping areas (except D dorm and K dorm which
are not used as dorms any longer) as well as in the sleeping areas in Aldur and
Lambert.
Electrical Grounding: The
contractor is currently working on the ground and 1st floors of
“F” building. They have
brought in extra workers and they have been working on weekends in order to
complete the project by the end of January 2008.
Replacement of Wrought Iron Fencing: The iron fence is being made by
Capital City Iron Works. It should
be installed in the spring.
Security Gates in the Tunnel: Door Closer Service Company has been
awarded the bind and is waiting for the contract to be issued to begin work.
Repaving the Bus Pad: A project request has been made to the
Department of Public Works to repave the bus pad, to widen the road to the
south gate and to enlarge the entrance to the south gate. The holes in the bus pad have been
filled by the Department of Transportation at no cost to the school. DPW will assign an engineer for this
project.
VI. New Business
A. Donations and Contributions
Attachments 7A, 7B and 7C include Donations and Contributions under $499 from
September 10, 2007 thorough January 3, 2008 totaling $1,331.20. Attachment 8 includes Donations and
Contributions over $500 from November 19, 2007 through November 26, 2007
totaling $101,915.00. Mr. Koors
moved to accept all donations over $500.
The motion was seconded by Ms. Pittman; motion carried.
B. 2nd
Attachment 9 is the proposed ISBVI Policy O-08 Food Employee
Health Policy. This is a policy
that is recommended by the State of
Attachment 10 is the proposed ISBVI Policy S-13 Wellness
Policy. This is a policy that the
school will put into effect immediately.
This policy encourages staff and students to eat a healthier diet. No foods containing high sugar contents
(ie: candy, cookies, etc.) will be allowed during the day as well as no soda
pops will be permitted during the school hours. All the vending machines will be shut
off ½ hour before school begins and will be turned back on ½ hour
after school ends. The
C. Secondary Principal
Mr. Durst introduced Mr. Jay Wilson to the Board. Mr. Wilson comes to ISBVI from the Iowa
Braille and Sight Saving School. He
has a Master’s Degree in Administration from
Mr. Wilson thanked the Board for the opportunity to work at ISBVI.
D. Director of Programs
Mr. Durst introduced Dr. Streeter to the Board. Dr. Streeter comes to ISBVI from the
Dr. Streeter thanked the Board for the opportunity to work at ISBVI. He also commented that ISBVI is known throughout the nation as one of the best schools, and it is a privilege to work here.
E. Joe Fredwell and Gail Ringwalt
Mr. Durst recognized and thanked Mr. Joe Fredwell for the
wonderful job he did as the
Mr. Durst also recognized and thanked Ms. Gail Ringwalt for all of her assistance during the transition. Ms. Ringwalt took on the additional responsibility of the December 1 Child Count.
F. 2008- 2009
Mr. Durst proposed that the Board approve the new 2008 – 2009 ISBVI School Year Calendar. Ms. Pittman moved to approve the 2008 – 2009 ISBVI School Year Calendar. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bates; motion carried.
G.
Mr. Durst explained to the Board that Attachment 14 is a copy of the proof of insurance / bond for the ISBVI Board.
H. Laundry Pilot Program
Mr.
Durst explained to the Board that he has recommended to the Department of
Corrections to not move forward at this time with the Laundry Pilot Program.
VII. Public Comments
There were no Public Comments.
VIII. Board Comments
Ms. Pittman – It is exciting to see the Administration team in place and working well together at ISBVI. Welcome to the new members, Mr. Wilson and Dr. Streeter. Also, thank you to all the employees who work on the Physical Plant side of ISBVI who keep the campus going.
Mr. Koors – Thank you to all the Administrative team who are putting the needs of the students first at ISBVI.
Mr. Bates – no comment
Ms. Amond – Welcome Mr. Wilson and Dr. Streeter to ISBVI. She also appreciates all the efforts and dedication shown by the ISBVI staff.
IX. Next Meeting
The next meeting of the ISBVI is set for March 17, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. in the
Aldur/Lambert Multipurpose Room.
X. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 am.
XI. Reconvene
Ms. Amond reconvened the meeting at 10:40 am for one more New Business Issue.
Mr. Durst explained to the Board that ISBVI has been offered a chance to purchase a new 2006 GMC Savanna 14 passenger mini bus with 300 miles for $33,112.00. The school has the money in a donations and contributions account to purchase the vehicle, but the Board must approve any purchases made over $25,000.00.
The purchase of the bus is for the health, safety and welfare of the students.
Mr. Koors moved to approve that Mr. Durst move forward in the purchasing of the 2006 GMC mini bus with funds from the donations and contributions account. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bates; motion carried.
XII. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 am.