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

 

ISBVI Board Meeting
October 16, 2006
9:30 a.m.
ISBVI Board Meeting Minutes

 

Members Present:  Mr. Donald Koors, Chair
                                  Ms. Shirley Amond, Vice-Chair
                                  Mr. Gary Bates
                                  Mr. John Hill for Dr. Robert Marra
                                  Ms. Kathy Botkin

Members Not Present:  Senator Teresa Lubbers and Ms. Cynthia Pittman
                  
Administration Present:  Mr. Jim Durst, Superintendent; Mr. Hal Owens, Asst. Superintendent; Mr. Joseph Fredwell; Ms. Gail Ringwalt, Elementary Principal; Mr. Brian Jones, Director of Residential Services; Ms. Toni Hughes, Director of Outreach Services; Ms. Jerry Pitts, Director of Nursing; Ms. Teresa Mynatt, Human Resources; Mr. William Neal, Laundry Services; Mr. Charles Foster III, Maintenance; Mr. John Rahn, Physical Plant Director; Ms. Patricia Renick, Guidance Counselor; Ms. Margaret Wilkinson, Social Services; Mr. Todd Malone, Maintenance; Mr. Chris Taylor, Maintenance; Ms. Patricia Burtner, Residential Services; Ms. Sally Wann, Outreach Services


I. Call to Order


Mr. Koors called the meeting to order and took roll.  Mr. Koors explained why Ms. Pittman and Senator Lubbers were not present, and he announces that Dr. Eugene White has resigned from the Board because of his other commitments.

II. Approval of Minutes


The minutes from August 21, 2006 meeting were reviewed.  Ms. Amond moved for approval of the minutes as distributed.  Mr. Bates seconded the motion; motion carried.

III. Chair Remarks


Mr. Koors welcomed everyone to the meeting.  Mr. Koors thanked Dr. White for his efforts, counsel, wisdom and knowledge that he has given to the school for its betterment.

IV. Superintendent’s Report


A. School Update


Mr. Durst reported that the ISBVI Boys and Girls Track Teams won conference in their competition.  They were also successful in previous meets in September.  Varsity Cheerleader tryouts will be held October 19th.  The second through sixth grade PE classes are getting ready for the annual Kentucky Junior Olympics track meet on Wednesday, October 18.  Ms. Heck returned from the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore.  She took two students to a Transition Academy for Blind Youth.  The intent and purpose was to instill interest and desire for students who are blind or visually impaired to be actively involved in history, government, science and technology.  Mrs. Baize’s class is involved in AGAPE horseback riding to promote balance and other gross motor skills.  ISTEP testing has been completed.  The school improvement committee continues to meet and work on goals in the core and expanded core curriculum areas.

B. Monthly Financial Statements

Mr. Owens reported to the Board that the State Board of Accounts came to do an audit.  Mr. Mike Daniely was very complimentary toward the staff that was most helpful to him during the audit.  Mr. Owens then presented the financial statements (Attachments 2A-2B).  Attachment 2A, August 31, 2006, the year was 16.6% over and 13.13% of the Allotment had been spent.  Mr. Owens drew the Boards attention to Point 7 which included Workman’s Compensation.  There was a major expense in Point 7.  Attachment 2B, September 30, 2006, the year was 25% over and 21.65% of the Allotment had been spent.  Mr. Owens then drew the Boards attention to Point 3 which is contracts and copiers.  Most of the dollars for Point 3 have been encumbered and not spent yet.  Again Point 7 was hit again with Workman’s Compensation.  More money will be moved into Point 7 from other points.  There were no questions from the Board regarding the Monthly Financial Statements.


C. Personnel Actions Updates

Personnel Actions Updates (Attachments 3A-3B and  4A-4B).  Attachment 3A is the Personnel Actions Updates for September.  There were six personnel actions, one lateral transfer, 2 new hires, and 3 resignations.   Attachment 3B is the Personnel Actions Updates for October.  There were seven personnel actions Attachment 3B, five resignations, one separation, and one promotion.  Attachment 4A is the September Personnel Status Summary; 185 positions filled, 6 positions pending with a total of 191 with 21 intermittent.  Attachment 5B is the October Personnel Status Summary; 182 positions filled, 8 pending with a total of 190 with 19 intermittent.

D. Vacant Positions

Refer to Vacant Positions - Pending (Attachment 5A-5B).   These are pending and posted positions that we have intentions of filling.  Some of these positions we are looking to fill with our collaborative dietary pilot program.  The Budget Agency and State Personal have approved us to move forward with the Dietary Pilot Program.  In January, final decisions will be made regarding the success of the pilot program and if we need to add additional positions to the table.  We are having difficulty filling the Speech-Language Pathologist position.  We are looking at contractual services to ensure that we are meeting the needs of all of our students.

E. Physical Plant Update

Churchman Air Conditioning:  Project is complete.

Improve Campus Security:  This is a $353,600 project.  All of the necessary hardware is installed and the contractor is currently working on a punch list.

Exterior Campus Lighting:  The intent is to improve the lighting around campus at night time and also for added security.  The State Budget Agency has transferred the necessary funds for this project.  The bases for the new light posts have been poured.

Renovation of Tunnels:  This project is virtually done with the exception that the piping has been reinsulated and is waiting for the final inspection from the state.


Re-roof Churchman and Keever:  The project is complete.
 
Repair Roofs:  The Project is complete.  Waiting for reimbursement for damages caused during this project from the contractor.

Tuck Pointing Renovation:  Western Waterproofing has been awarded the contract.  They are waiting for their signed contract to begin work.  The contractor will also water proof the building as well as repairing mortar joints and replace broken bricks.

Re-coring Campus:  This project is complete.
 
Fire Alarms:  This project is a total of $975,971.  Project is still in the design phase.  We have requested a demonstration of the devices to be placed in the dormitory bedrooms to ensure they fit our needs.

Electrical Grounding:  The contractor is currently working in the tunnel from the boy’s quad to F Building.  They are replacing the bus bar with wiring and conduit.  This also included replacing some electrical outlets and grounding some of the electrical systems in the various buildings.

Replacing the Back Gate:  The contractor has installed the gate.  Waiting on IPL to provide electrical power to the electric meter.

Replacement of Wrought Iron Fencing:  Waiting on a cost quote from Capitol City Iron Works.

Resurfacing the Track:  A project has been submitted and approved to resurface the running tracks and field areas.  This project will also resurface the fitness trail.  The bid is now open for this project.

Lambert Hall Restrooms:  New seamless epoxy floors have been installed in all the restrooms in Lambert Hall.  This project is complete.

V.  New Business

A.  2007–2009 Biennium Budget

 

A notebook containing the 2007–2009 Biennium Budget was presented to the Board.  This will be submitted to the State as well as the Department of Education through Dr. Marra for his approval. 

The Agency Overview shows the request that was made for the next Biennium with the fiscal year estimate for 2006-2007 with a grand total of $11, 637,105.00.  The requested budget for 2007-2008 is an increase with $11,861,980.00.  The requested budget for 2008-2009 is $11,874,019.00.  Point one, which is salaries, fringe benefits, buyouts, sipens, and projected overtime for the current year is

$10,324, 473.00; for fiscal year 2007-2008 $10,733,980.00; and requested for fiscal year 2008-2009 $10,746,019.00.  Points 2 – 9 includes utilities, services by contracts, materials and supplies, equipment, workman’s comp, in state travel, and out of state travel.  Projected estimates for fiscal year 2006-2007 is $1,312,632.00; fiscal year 2007-2008 is $1,128,00.00; fiscal year 2008-2009 is $1,128,000.00.

 

Ms. Amond moved for approval of the 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Proposal not including the Capital Projects.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Botkin.  The motion to approve the 2007-2009 Biennium Budget carried.

 

Mr. Durst then explained to the Board the Capital Projects that will be submitted to the State.  They are Preventive Maintenance for $565,714.00.  This is just a dollar amount that will be used to take care of the school and infrastructure for the next two years.  The next project listed is a New Intercom System for $158,800.00.  This has been identified as a health and safety issue.  The current system is obsolete and difficult to find parts for repairs.  This is used to ensure timely response for staff and students in event of an emergency.  The next project listed is Resurface the Breezeway Flooring in the catwalks.  This is also identified as a health, safety, and welfare issue.  The cost would be $279,545.00.  The next project listed is Install a New Hot Water Boiler.  There is currently a steam line that has a crack in it.  It runs from the main part of campus to Aldur/Lambert.  The cost to replacing the steam line is greater than installing an independent and separate new hot water boiler in Aldur/Lambert.  This is also identified as a health, safety, and welfare issue.  The next project listed is Replacing the PBX Telephone System.  The current system needs upgraded.  The cost for this project is $477,750.00  The next project is Installing Two Elevators to help address the needs of the ever-changing population on campus.  Each quad area needs elevators installed so students can have access to the upper floors.  The cost for this project is $1,546,750.00.  The next project is Relocating the Bus Loading Area.  This will enhance the safety as well as security of our students with the relocation.  The cost of this project is $3,056,546.00.  The next project is Rehab Lambert Restrooms and Showers with a total cost of $144,304.00.  This a health and safety issue.  The next project is a New Roof for Lambert and K Dorm Buildings with a cost of $231,487.00.  The next project is Repairing and Renovation of the Tunnels at a cost of $948,750.00.  This is identified as health, safety and welfare in terms of the electricity and steam plants.  The final project proposed is Renovating Wilson Dormitories throughout at the cost of $1,811,174.00.  Wilson Dormitories was closed out several years ago in two phases for two reasons.  One was to provide for a large print and Braille production facility, and also to move the current IERC to a larger area.  The Braille project is under way in Wilson 5.  The grand total for the proposed capital projects is $9,432,328.00.

 

Mr. Bates moved for approval of the Capital Projects as submitted to the Board.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Amond.  The motion to approve the Capital Projects as submitted carried.


B. Donations and Contributions

Attachment 6A includes Donations and Contributions under $499 through September 29, 2006 which totaled $1,206.00.  The total restricted donations were $321.00.  The total unrestricted donations were $285.00.  There were also retained earnings of $600.00.  Attachment 6B includes Donations and Contributions over $500 through September 29, 2006 totaling $29,271.15.  Ms. Botkin moved to approve the Donation and Contributions received over $500. The motion was seconded by Ms. Amond; the motion carried.
 
C. 2nd Reading

Use of State Property for Personal Use Policy 0-27 - Specifically identifies what individuals may borrow or use including the use of telephones on break times or non-state time, use of the computers on break times or non-state time, use of copy machines for a fee of .07 per page, and the use of the fax machine at the rate of .10 per page and any additional long distance charges.  No other state property may be used for personal use on or off campus.  The line that states “Folding tables and chairs as well as the appliance dolly may be used if not impacting the school schedule.”  will be omitted.  Also, the following needs to be added to the policy “for the purpose of conducting personal business as long as such use is infrequent, of short duration, does not interfere with the performance of assigned duties and made on the employee’s personal time, and is not for the purpose of generating financial or personal gain.”

This policy will be revised and will be re-submitted to the Board at the next Board meeting.

Prohibition of Retaining Students for Athletic Purposes Policy S-12 - ISBVI will not retain any student in a grade level for the sole purpose of improving the student's ability to participate in extracurricular athletic programs.

Ms. Amond moved to approve the 2nd Reading of Policy S-12.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Bates.  The motion carried.

Employee Qualifications Policy S-10 - Requirements of appropriate and required certifications, licensure, and training in all respective fields or areas.  The words “approved by the Supervisor” have been added as was suggested at the last Board meeting.

Ms. Botkin moved to approve the 2nd Reading of Policy S-10 with the above stated change. The motion was seconded by Ms. Amond.  The motion carried.

Workplace Harassment Prevention of Students and Employees Policy O-02 - This is the same as the Policy directed by the State of Indiana with ISBVI inserted in.

Mr. Bates moved to approve the 2nd Reading of Policy O-02.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Botkin.  The motion carried.

Student Search Policy O-16 - Details how a student search will take place.  The search will be conducted by a member of Administration as well as ISBVI Security.

Ms. Amond moved to approve the 2nd Reading of Policy O-16.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Bates.  The motion carried.

Technology, Local Area Network, and Internet Policy O-07 - Changes have been made to this policy regarding the use of the internet for personal use.  The computers/internet may not be used by staff for business purposes for the purpose of generating financial or personal gain.

Ms. Amond moved to approve the 2nd Reading of Policy O-07.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Botkin.  The motion carried. 
 
VI. Public Comments

Mr. Koors explained to the audience that this was the time for individuals to make public comments.  He reminded everyone that the ISBVI School Board is in the position to discuss the health, safety, and welfare policies and procedures at ISBVI.  There is not to be discussions regarding certain individuals or circumstances surrounding certain individuals for their privacy as well as the privacy of everyone concerned.  Any comments made must not identify individuals or students specifically at this point.


Mr. Mike Wills, father of a student at ISBVI, voiced concerns regarding several issues at ISBVI.  Mr. Koors requested that Mr. Wills submit a report in writing to him.

 

Ms. Linda Jarrett, recently retired from ISBVI, voiced concerns regarding issues at ISBVI.

 

Mr. Gary Brockman, former associate at ISBVI, also voiced concerns regarding issues at ISBVI.

 

Ms. Sally Wann, Assistant to the Out Reach Department at ISBVI, had a question regarding the budget.  Are the Summer School program, STEP program and AYC program included in new Budget.  The answer given to Ms. Wann was yes.


VII. Board Comments

Mr. Bates - no comments

Ms. Amond - no comments

Mr. Hill  requested that Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired host the September 2007 Governor’s Commission for Rehabilitation Services meeting.  This past September, the meeting was held at the Indiana School for the Deaf.  The date for the meeting will be Friday, September 14, 2007.

Ms. Botkin  stated she appreciated all the comments brought to the Board today.

Mr. Koors - no comments

VIII. Next Meeting


January 22, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. in the Aldur/Lambert Multipurpose Room


There was a parent in the audience who voiced concerns regarding the times and dates of the meetings.  He expressed concerns that it is hard for parents to attend the Board Meetings during the daytime hours.  He would like to see the school Board conduct some of their meetings in the evening hours where more parents can be in attendance of the meetings.  Mr. Koors thanked the parent for the comments.


IX. Adjournment