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

 

ISBVI Board Meeting
May 11, 2009
9:30 a.m.
ISBVI Board Meeting Minutes

 

Members Present: Mr. Donald Koors
Ms. Kathy Botkin

Dr. James Mirvelde

Mr. Michael Dalrymple

Mr. John Hill for Dr. Sharon Knoth

Mr. James Hodson

Members Not Present:   Senator Teresa Lubbers

                                          Ms. Shirley Amond
                  
Administration Present:  Mr. Jim Durst, Superintendent; Dr. Larry Streeter, Assistant to the Superintendent;  Mr. Hal Owens, Assistant Superintendent;  Mr. Jay Wilson, MS/HS Principal; Ms. Toni Hughes, Director of Outreach Services; Mr. Mike Gaddis, Steam Plant; Mr. Charles Foster III, Maintenance; Mr. John Rahn, Physical Plant Director; Ms. Jerry Pitts, Nursing;  Mr. William Neal, Laundry Services; Mr. Todd Malone, Maintenance; Ms. Teresa Martin, Secretary to the Superintendent.


I.  Call to Order


Mr. Koors called the meeting to order and took roll.

II.  Approval of Minutes


Motion:  A motion was made by Mr. Koors and seconded by Ms. Botkin to approve the minutes from March 16, 2009 meeting; motion carried.

 

III.  Chair Remarks


Mr. Koors welcomed the Board members to the meeting.  For the secretary’s convenience, each member introduced themselves and elaborated on their job titles.   


IV.  Superintendent’s Report

 

A.  New Employees

 

§  Mr. Wilson introduced our newest Residential Mentor, Ms. Julie Zink.  She comes to ISBVI with a great deal of experience.  Mr. Wilson is looking forward to what she can share with our students.

 

§  Ms. Pitts introduced Ms. Carol Gutermuth to the nursing staff who came to us one month ago. She comes to us from California with a passion for helping children. 

 

§  Mr. Gaddis introduced Mr. Paul Conley who is working as a Steam Plant Operator.  He comes to us from the Soldiers and Sailors Home with 25 years experience.  He is a very qualified operator who started in March.

 

B.  School Update

 

§  Mr. Durst stated that the Spring Concert held in April was very well done.  Mr. Michael White who is Valedictorian this year was the program narrator.

 

§  The Girls swim team won 1st place at Conference after finishing the final relay.  The Boys team and Forensics team finished 3rd.

 

§  May 8th was the recital and the students did a wonderful job.  Their program was called, "Into Thin Air" and had an airport theme.  Mr. Durst encouraged individuals to come to the recital if at all possible, it is a very rewarding experience.  Ms. Francisco does a phenomenal job with the students and show-casing what they can do.

 

§  The Relay for Life is May 16th and 17th. There will be teams from all over Marion County for this 24 hour walk around our campus.

 

§  On May 16th at 11:00 a.m., our Choir will be at the Broad Ripple Arts Center.

 

§  The Senior Banquet will be held On May 21st, at 6:00 p.m.  Mr. Durst invited the Board Members to participate.

 

§  Graduation is May 22nd at 10:00 a.m. 

 

§  Outreach will be moving into house 120 as soon as it is ready.  Mr. Durst stated that the clean up crew has been working diligently to get this completed.

  

§  Blind Children's Foundation will also be moved to house 120.

 

§  STEP (Students Training Employment Program) will have one (4 week) session this summer.  This is a collaborative program with Bosma Enterprises.  The program is multifaceted and provides unique opportunities to acquire skills for gainful employment.

 

§  We are sending some students to Detroit, MI from July 2nd through July 8th for the Annual NFB National Convention and to Orlando from July 4 through July 8th for the Annual ACB Convention.  There will also be some students going to Colorado to attend USABA training camp participating in world competition.

 

§  The Elementary and Intermediate Elementary will be going to Hidden Lake for a fishing trip.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

§  Mr. Hal Owens reported that $11,156,283 was the total we started out with and with a 2% reversion we had a total of $10,392,470.  One hundred and seventeen thousand, eight hundred and forty nine dollars ($117,849) will be added to our budget per the budget agency to cover technology costs.  This amount was agreed on by the budget agency at the start of the school year.  We need to move money to point 5 prior to the end of the school year.  Projections currently show us with a balance of $74,000 at the end of the year. Thirty-eight thousand ($38,000) will be moved to Preventative Maintenance from another account to assist in completing needed repairs for this year.

 

§  Mr. Durst stated the school is assuming approximately $150,000 in expenditures to cover one/one positions previously covered by the Indiana Department of Education.  This expenditure was previously reimbursed by DOE but due to budget limitations the school will be responsible for these costs now and in the future. Mr. Durst expressed his appreciation to Mr. Owens and his staff for their exemplary work in addressing the budget issues and responsibilities for the school year.  Mr. Koors asked if we would be getting any stimulus money.   Mr. Durst replied that we are getting approximately $45,000 which will be used for one time expenditures in the area of technology infrastructure and possibly technology. Establishing a secure external email system is a priority.

 

D.  Personnel Actions (Attachments 3A & 3B)

 

Attachment 3A is the May Personnel Status Summary.  There are 179 positions filled, 27 positions pending and 23 intermittent filled.  Attachment 3B is the Personnel Actions Updated ranging from February to May with 7 separations, 3 new hires (1 being from another State Agency) and 1 transfer from Residential Mentor to Store Clerk 4.

 

E.  Vacant Positions (Attachment 4)

 

These are pending positions that we have intentions of filling.  

 

F.  Physical Plant Update (Attachment 5)

 

§  The fire alarm system upgrade will cost $975,971 and has been submitted to Public Works for approval by the State Budget Committee.

 

§  Mr. Durst stated that fire alarm covers are needed.  Several alarms have been pulled due to students trailing the wall and inadvertently pulling the alarm. The added covers should provide protection to alarms to ensure they are not pulled unnecessarily.

 

§  Eagle Electric will be out on June 23rd to start the final phase of their emergency work in Lambert Hall. Cost of this project is $69,200.  The Apple Tunnel suffered damage from a tree fall and a contract has been awarded to repair the damage and make alterations to this area to ensure a safe setting for staff, students and visitors.

 

§  The renovation of the restrooms in Lambert is in the design phase.  Cost is projected to be $144,304.

 

§  The renovation of the tunnels would cost $2,000,000.  The Budget Agency has agreed to allot $180,000 towards a cost analysis.  More information will be forthcoming on the study.

 

§  Roof replacement has been approved and the amount for this project is $231,487.  This project is in the design phase.

 

§  A hot water boiler will be installed in Lambert Hall which will cost $289,000.  This project will replace the steam system that is supplied by the Powerhouse.  They will be on an independent heating system.

 

V.  New Business


Mr. Durst asked Mr. Koors to add the nomination slate of new Board officers to the agenda for vote, per Ms. Amond, current Board Chair.

 

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

§  Attachment 7A includes Donations and Contributions under $499 through March 31, 2009 which totaled $1,207.79 for restricted donations and $220.15 in unrestricted donations for a total of $1,427.94. 

 

§  Attachment 7B includes Donations and Contributions over $500 through March 31, 2009 which totaled $7,203.32. 

 

§  Attachment 8A included Donations and Contributions under $499 through April 30, 2009 which totaled $355 for restricted donations and $35 for unrestricted donations.

 

Motion:  A motion was made by Mr. Koors and seconded by Ms. Botkin to approve attachments 7A, 7B and 8A; motion carried.

 

§  Attachment 8B shows that $94,062.50 was donated from the estate of Charlotte M. Ward and has been received.

 

Motion:  A motion was made by Mr. Koors and seconded by Mr. Dalrymple to approve Attachment 8B; motion carried.

 

B.      Second Reading

 

Physical Intervention of Students Policy O-46, Procedure, and Report (Attachments 9A, 9B, & 9C)

 

Motion:  A motion was made by Mr. Mervilde and seconded by Mr. Dalrymple to approve Attachments 9A, 9B and 9C; motion carried.

 

C.      First Reading

 

Time Out Policy O-47 (Attachment 10).  

 

Mr. Durst stated that this policy is to ensure student safety. For these students who exhibit exceptional behavior, it is imperative that necessary steps be taken to provide a safe environment for the student and others.  Mr. Hill brought to the board’s attention the last paragraph, indicating that the word “should” needs to be changed to “shall”.  Going through the policy, Mr. Durst stated that the words “should” will be changed to “shall”.

Mr. Hill also asked if IEP would be involved in making decisions concerning the use of behavior reduction procedures, Mr. Durst stated yes, as appropriate.

 

Motion:  A motion was made by Mr. Mervilde and seconded by Mr. Hodson to change the wording from “should” to “shall”; motion carried.

 

Motion:  A motion was made by Mr. Koors and seconded by Mr. Hodson to approve the Time Out Policy O-47 for the 1st reading; motion carried.

 

D.     2009-2010 ISBVI School Year Calendar (Attachment 11A, 11B)

 

§  August 19th will be the first day of school for Teachers In-service.

 

§  October 29 will be a full instructional day.  October 30th will be teacher training day and fall break for students, school not in session.

 

§  February 15th is President's day and it will be a training day for teachers.

 

§  June 3rd is graduation and June 4th is last day for teachers and it is a mandatory training day.  This calendar has a budget impact of approximately $19,000 additional for teacher training.  The School for the Deaf did not add the last day for teachers.  ISBVI students who attend Washington Township part time, will return prior to the ISBVI calendar.  Expenses will be covered by the Indiana School for the Deaf.

 

Motion:  A motion was made by Mr. Dalrymple and seconded by Ms. Botkin to approve the 2009-2010 ISBVI School Year Calendar; motion carried.  

 

E.      2009-2010 ISBVI School Board Meeting Schedule (Attachment 12)

 

Did not need approval.

 

Referring back to New Business, Mr. Durst asked the board to vote on a new slate of officers.

 

Motion: A motion was made by Mr. Mervilde and seconded by Mr. Hodson to approve Ms. Botkin for Board Chair and Mr. Koors for Vice Chair; motion carried.

 

VI.  Public Comments:

 

Ms. Bodwell spoke to the Board about the progress her daughter has made at the school and her concern regarding the situation involving Ms. Romano.  She indicated that Ms. Romano has done a wonderful job of helping her daughter make progress.  Ms. Romano has seen the potential her daughter has, while many individuals prior did not.  Ms. Bodwell stated that she understands that things need to be taken care of but she doesn't understand why Ms. Romano hasn't been in class.  Ms. Bodwell wants the Board to know that without Ms. Romano, she feels her daughter will not progress like she has in the past.  She asked that Ms. Romano be put back into class.  She indicated that she did not feel her concerns were being heard and felt it necessary to bring her concern to the Board.  Ms. Bodwell stated that she knows the board has other things pending, but she didn't know where else to go.  She thanked the board for letting her speak.

 

 

 

 

 

 

VII.  Board Comments:

 

Ms. Kathy Botkin thanked Ms. Bodwell and let her know she was being heard.

 

Mr. Dalrymple supported what Ms. Botkin had said and thanked Ms. Bodwell for the courage to speak up.

 

VIII.  Next Meeting


The next meeting of the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired School Board will be Monday, August 17, 2009, at 9:30 a.m. in the AlDur/Lambert Multipurpose Room. 

IX.  Adjournment

 

The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 am.