Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
7725 North College Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46240

 

ISBVI Board Meeting
March 21, 2011
3:30 p.m.
ISBVI Board Meeting Minutes

 

 

 

Members Present: Mr. Don Koors, Chair

Mr. Michael Dalrymple, Vice Chair
Dr. James Mervilde

Ms. Shirley Amond

Ms. Kathy Botkin

Mr. James Hodson

Commissioner Teresa Lubbers

 

Members Not Present:  Mr. John Hill, Sen. Scott Schneider

 

 

Administration Present:  Mr. Jim Durst, Superintendent; Dr. Larry Streeter, Assistant to the Superintendent;   Mr. Hal Owens, Assistant Superintendent of Business; Ms. Toni Hughes, Director of Outreach Services; Mr. Jay Wilson, MS/HS Principal; Ms. Gail Ringwalt, Elementary Principal; Mr. Carl Brown, Maintenance Supervisor.


I.  Call to Order


Mr. Koors called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. and took roll.

II. Approval of Minutes  (Attachment 1)

 

The minutes from the January 10, 2011 meeting were reviewed.


Motion:  A motion was made by Dr. Mervilde and seconded by Ms. Botkin to approve the minutes; motion carried. 

 

III.  Chair Remarks


Mr. Koors welcomed administration and staff to the meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IV.  Superintendent’s Report

 

A.     New Employees

 

Mr. Durst informed the Board that the school has had one new employee since the January Board meeting.  Marcus Fredwell joined the ISBVI staff in February as a residential mentor.

 

B.     School Update 

 

      MS/HS Report – Mr. Wilson

ISBVI recently started using ALEKS, an online math program to help low vision students receive additional instruction in math.  Since it is available online, students have access to it at home.  The program also allows staff to monitor student progress and student use.

One of the school’s seniors recently won a gold medal for a presentation at a Leadership conference.

The wrestlers and cheerleaders did a nice job representing ISBVI at a Conference meet in Ohio last month.  ISBVI hosted four schools for the blind for a swimming and forensics meet on March 18th and 19th. 

ISBVI has purchased SMART Boards that are being used by Elementary and MS/HS teachers, as well as, O & M instructors.  Mr. Wilson thanked Mr. Durst for his support in acquiring this technology.

Mr. Hodson asked if the parents were aware of the ALEKS program. 

Mr. Wilson replied that families were informed that their student was being given this opportunity.

ISBVI is looking into giving NWEA assessments.  These assessments are another tool to measure student success and they offer immediate feedback.  Accessibility is being researched and it is hoped that a pilot assessment will be possible in the spring.

 

Elementary Report – Ms. Ringwalt

Staff and students are enjoying their portable SMART Board.  Teachers are receiving ongoing training on its capabilities. 

Next year, grades PS – 5th will be in Aldur/Lambert. 

Teachers are working as teams with a new subject every week that will help students understand how to answer open ended questions on the ISTEP.

Agape therapeutic horseback riding sessions will be ending next week for two classes.

Ms. Amond inquired about the number of students participating and about the cost.

Ms. Ringwalt replied that the school receives grants for these sessions that allow 8 students to participate for 16 weeks. 

Outreach Report – Ms. Hughes 

 

The third annual Braille Challenge was held Saturday, February 19th.  The challenge consisted of five

  Academic categories:  Apprentice (grades 1 - 2); Freshman (grades 3 - 4); Sophomore (grades 5 - 6);

Junior Varsity (grades 7 - 9); and Varsity (grades 10 - 12).  Students competed in the following tests:  speed and accuracy, reading comprehension, spelling, proofreading and interpreting charts and tactile graphics.

Last year, 24 students competed in the Indiana regional contest.  This year, there were 42 students who competed. The winners from each category were determined by the top overall score.  The National Braille Challenge will be held in Los Angeles in June, and will consist of the 12 overall top scores in each category from the United States and Canada. 

While the students were busy taking their tests, the families participated in different activity rotations. The activities included: a brief lesson/introduction to Braille and making a card of congratulations in Braille for their child competing in the challenge; an introduction to Orientation and Mobility and a sleep shade experience to understand what it’s like not to have vision and to rely on someone else for sighted guide; an obstacle course under sleep shades and networking opportunities.

Each student who participated in Saturday’s challenge received a Braille medal, a certificate and a

T-shirt.  The winner in each category received a $100.00 savings bond, donated by the ISBVI Leos Club and the Braille Institute of America.

This contest is very labor intensive and would not have been possible without the 40+ volunteers who gave their time and talent.

 

The Early Childhood and School Age Conferences are being held on the ISBVI campus April 16th.  The Early Childhood Conference is held for parents only.  There will be a keynote speaker, an exhibit area and a hands-on activity. 

The School Age Conference is for parents and their student who is blind or low vision.   During the keynote speech for the adults, the students will be attending a table top game event and an obstacle course event.  Students are asked to bring any technology device they currently use at school to the conference for the afternoon session.  The families will attend a technology session where they can learn to use the current devices they have or learn about other technology that is available for blind/low vision students.  At the end of the day there will be time for networking between the families.

 

Mr. Koors asked when the school would find out the results of the Braille Challenge. 

Ms. Hughes stated that she is usually notified around mid-May.  Indiana sent 8 students to the Nationals in California last year and hopes to be able to send closer to 14 this year.  

  

Facilities Use – Dr. Streeter

 

ISBVI will be raising the aquatic center rental rates from $40 to $45 per hour.  At the raised rate, the school is still very competitive among other local aquatics facilities.

The American Cancer Society’s “Relay for Life” event will be held on campus May 14th and 15th.

A Lions work day has been scheduled for Saturday, June 4th.  Volunteers will focus their efforts on outside projects.  Plans are being made for inside projects as well, in case the weather does not permit outside work.

The ISBVI Alumni Association will meet on campus June 10th – 12th.

 

Physical Plant Update – Mr. Brown

 

The roofing projects at the steam plant and at Lambert have been completed.  The 20 year and 15 year warranties have been received.  The contractor has come back to look at gutter work at Lambert and perform a three month walk through.

DOC crews are continuing the interior painting and other inside projects.  They will be transitioning to outside grounds work as the weather gets warmer. 

The veranda project is proceeding and will be sent out for bid soon.

Two more showers in Dorms A and C are scheduled to be done over spring break and the department is working on getting carpet installed in the auditorium before graduation.

 

 

 

 

 

C.  Monthly Financial Statements (Attachments 2A & 2B)

 

Attachment 2A is the Monthly Financial Statement for January 31, 2011 reflecting the 7% reversion plan.  At that point, the year was 58.3% over and 55.64% of the allotment had been spent.     

Attachment 2B is the Monthly Financial Statement for February 28, 2011 reflecting the 7% reversion plan, as well.  At that point, 63.50% of the allotment had been spent and the year was 66.7% over.

There will be three pay periods in March which will bring the amount of the allotment spent closer to 75%.  In addition, there have been a number of staff announce their retirement.  This will have a budget impact before the end of the year due to state policy requiring pay outs for vacation days up to 30 and also pay outs up to $5,000 for sick, personal and comp time.

D.  Personnel Actions (Attachment 3A & 3B, 4A & 4B) 

 

Attachment 3A is the Personnel Actions report for January reflecting 2 separations, 1 new hire and 1 rehire.

For February, Attachment 3B, there was a position change and an unpaid leave of absence.

 

Attachment 4A is the Personnel Status Summary report for January with 172 Full Time Equivalents (FTE’s) and 8 pending FTE’s for a total of 180.   Seventeen Intermittent positions were filled at this time. 

Attachment 4B, the summary report for February, reflects no changes in numbers from January.

 

E.  Vacant Positions (Attachment 5A & 5B, 6A & 6B)

 

Attachments 5A and 5B are Pending Vacant Positions from January and February and reflect positions that are on hold, posted, have been approved or denied or are pending.    

Attachments 6A and 6B show the actions on the individual positions.  

 

V.  New Business

 

A.    Donations and Contributions (Attachments 7A, 7B, 8A & 8B)

Attachments 7A and 7B include Donations and Contributions under $499 from January 1, 2011 to February 28, 2011 which totaled $2,233.  Seven donations were unrestricted and thirteen were restricted.  

Attachments 8A and 8B include Donations and Contributions over $500 from January 1, 2011 to February 28, 2011 which totaled $2,336.77.  One donation was unrestricted and one was restricted.

 

Motion:  A motion was made by Ms. Amond and seconded by Dr. Mervilde to approve donations over $500; motion carried.

 

B.      2nd Reading Policy O-50 Staff Interactions  (Attachment 9)

 

After speaking with staff and administrators, two areas were modified from the 1st Reading. 

 

Motion:  A motion was made by Ms. Amond and seconded by Mr. Dalrymple to approve the 2nd reading of Policy O-50; motion carried.

 

 

 

 

C.     2011 – 2012 School Calendar (Attachment 10)

 

The proposed calendar has a start date for Teachers and Staff on Thursday, August 11th with students starting on Monday, August 15th and finishing May 25th.  The calendar reflects 180 instructional days and 184 contracted work days.  The 184 does not reflect vacation days that may be used in excess of 30 or holidays that some or all teachers will be eligible for.  Teachers will be paid anywhere from 194 to 207 days pending House Bill 1001.  If passed, teachers will no longer accrue vacation days.  Any teachers that have accrued time will be entitled to use vacation days for breaks in excess of 30 days.

 

Motion:  A motion was made by Dr. Mervilde and seconded by Commissioner Lubbers to approve the proposed School Calendar for the 2011 – 2012 school year; motion carried.

 

D.  1st Reading Policy O-51 Contact and/or Relationships With Offenders (Attachment 11)

 

ISBVI has a collaborative relationship with the DOC that utilizes offenders on site at the Miami Correctional Facility and offenders on the school’s campus.  Offenders work on campus when students are not present and help with such things as maintenance, housekeeping, painting and grounds work.  The policy identifies the parameters of staff with offenders.  In addition to stating that offenders will not be utilized when students are present, the policy also requires that staff must notify the Superintendent upon learning of the commitment of a friend or family member to the DOC.  

 

Motion:  A motion was made by Ms. Amond and seconded by Ms. Botkin to approve the 1st Reading of Policy O-51; motion carried. 

 

E.  1st Reading Policy O-52 Library Collection Development (Attachment 12)

 

Policy O-52 identifies how books make it into the Library collection and discusses the avenue an individual may take to object to a book that may be in the school’s collection. 

Mr. Koors inquired about student involvement.

Mr. Durst responded that while staff will make the ultimate decision on what to include in the collection, students will have the opportunity to communicate their interests.

Commissioner Lubbers asked what resources were used to create the policy.

Mr. Durst informed the Board that other similar policies were reviewed, as well as, best practices to assist in writing Policy O-52. 

Mr. Koors questioned how the school can keep up with the need for Library books, particularly in Braille, due to the cost.

Mr. Durst replied that the school has an extensive Braille collection and that the Miami Braille Project is helping with accessible formats, as well.   

 

Motion:  A motion was made by Dr. Mervilde  and seconded by Mr. Dalrymple to approve the 1st Reading of Policy O-52; motion carried.

 

VI.  Public Comments:

 

There were no public comments.

 

 

 

 

 

VII.  Board Comments:

 

Ms. Amond is thrilled that the school is getting involved in the ALEX program and is pleased the SMART Boards were able to be purchased.

 

Mr. Koors thanked the staff for their continued service to students.

 

VIII.  Next Meeting


The next meeting of the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired School Board will be Monday, May 16, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. in the AlDur/Lambert Multipurpose Room. 

IX.  Adjournment

 

The meeting was adjourned at 4:15 p.m.