Special Education

Focus Group

October 17,  2005 Meeting Notes

Representatives in attendance:

Marci Anderson, Elementary Resource

Sean Shaughnessy, Middle School Resource

Deborah Monroe, Psychologist

Diane Delahunty, OT/PTs & VI

Karen-Margrethe Bruun, SLPs & DHH

Jennifer Woods, EC-Preschool

Leslie Knudsen, EBD

Heidi Belmondo, Life Skills

Lucille Nollette, Directors

Teresa VanHaalen,  Elementary Admin.

Ann Buswell, Secondary Admin.

Sue Thomas, Meeting Facilitator – Agent

Susan Zoller, Sustaining Sponsor

Representatives unable to attend:

Bethany Verner, High School Resource

Topic:  Budget

Summary: 

• Budget was cut $120,000 this year.
• District lawsuit continued for 1 year – settlement or trial next October

Next Steps:

• Wilma Charleston will come and help us through the budget.

Topic:  Staffing - Certificated

Summary: 

• Staffing increased at Happy Valley, Northern Heights and Silver Beach due to increased need. 
• Will trend of converting classified to certificated staff continue?
•  One teacher at each grade level in middle school – makes teaming really work – need proof. 
• Many Life Skills students went elsewhere.  Life Skills team taught and classified staff reduced. 
• What to do with .2 EBD – 1 day a week? 
• Trouble with school psychologists – need .8 by February.

Next Steps:

• Look at balance of numbers at Resource level (Resource formula)
• Do difficult IEP’s early to help distribute FTE for next year

Topic:  Staffing - Classified

Summary:

• Classified time increased to 4 hours for Resource (7 hours total)
• Student specific aids determined by extent to which regular staff cannot support individual student.  Needs to be reevaluated each year at the very least, maybe more often

Topic:  Professional Growth Opportunities

Summary:

• Classroom-based accommodations.  Date forthcoming
• Special Ed. Forum.  Changes in Idea 2004.  What are they?
• Differentiated Instruction for students w/L.D.

Next Steps:

• Talk these classes up w/SpEd & General Ed. colleagues

Topic:  Additional Reps.

Summary:

• Should we expand to include Classified staff?  One from elementary & secondary.  Parents from elementary and secondary?

Next Steps:

• 2 Classified (1 elementary, 1 secondary).  One person one year commitment, one person 2 year commitment.
• Send email informing Classified staff of opening
• No parent involvement on this committee

Topic:  EBD Flowchart

Summary:

• Identify concern, inform parent, do an intervention, perhaps change IEP.  Is reassessment necessary?  Access all resources available.  Still concern?

• Contact SpEd Director – have meeting
• Visit proposed placement
• If still concerns – IEP amendment
• Lacking target guidelines for EBD
• Include SpEd Director early in the process

Next Steps:

• Lucille and Leslie meet to create guidelines

Topic:  Next Meeting

Next Steps:

• Look at Priority Task List and add thoughts
• Contact constituents and attach Priority List for everyone to see.