LAMBTON KENT DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Thursday
Wallaceburg District Secondary School
7:00 p.m.
2004 04 22
Library
M I N U T E S
PRESENT:
Rose Gallaway, St. Clair Child and Youth Services
Jenny Greensmith, Pathways Health Centre for Children
Al Kuhn, Community Living Chatham-Kent
Marion Lennan, Lambton County Developmental Services
Laurie Mawlam, Community Living Wallaceburg
Donna Scherer, Learning Disabilities Association of Chatham-Kent (Vice-Chair)
Charlene Taylor, Member "at large"
Jonathan Quaglia, Member "at large"
Wenda Vallee, Autism Society of Ontario
REGRETS:
Norma Hills, Community Living Sarnia-Lambton
Susie Jones, Trustee
Duncan Longwell, Trustee
Sharon Nickerson, Member "at large"
RESOURCE
Warren Kennedy, Superintendent of Education
STAFF:
Denise Emery, Chris Gordon, Geri Haskell and Debbie Seager, Special
Education
Co-ordinators
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1.0
CALL TO ORDER
SEAC Vice-Chair, D. Scherer called the meeting
to order at 7:00 p.m.
2.0
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 2004 03 25
Referring to the IEP Presentation that was made
at the previous meeting, D. Scherer asked when the revised IEP, incorporating
the recommendations made by the Ministry of Education, will be ready
for implementation. W. Kennedy and G. Haskell explained that our current
IEP was revised to meet most of the Ministry recommendations. A new
IEP Resource Guide is expected from the Ministry in the near future
and plans are underway to develop a web-based method for teachers to
create IEP’s. Updates will be provided to SEAC on a periodic basis,
along with opportunities for input. A complete overhauled web-based
version of the IEP will probably not be ready for use until September,
2005. J. Quaglia requested that “IEP Update” be added to
the list of future agenda items.
The Minutes of 2004 03 25 were approved as written.
3.0
BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES - None
4.0
PRESENTATIONS
4.1
Adaptive Technology
Ann Pharazyn outlined her duties as Itinerant
Resource Technology Teacher. The purpose of her position is to provide
direct support to students and staff in the area of adaptive technology.
Assistance is also provided with assessing software suitability and
acquisition of equipment and resources.
A. Pharazyn demonstrated the following software,
outlining the special features of each and describing the benefits to
students.
· Dragon Dictate (Speech to Text Software)
· Inspiration (Graphic Organizational
Software)
· Kurzweil (Text to Speech Software)
She also provides assistance with WriteAway,
TextHelp, and Academy of Reading software.
A. Pharazyn stated that her services have been
well received by the schools and she has seen positive improvements
during her repeat visits to students.
W. Kennedy explained that there are also two
half-time Technicians who set-up and service computer hardware purchased
through the ISA 1 equipment claims process.
D. Scherer reported that if school boards can
prove that they have purchased a textbook or novel, publishers are now
obligated to provide alternative versions of their publications (e.g.,
a computerized version that is compatible with Kurzweil).
4.2
2004-2005 Special Education Budget
W. Kennedy circulated a Press Release just received
from the Provincial government announcing plans to ensure students have
a high level of literacy and numeracy before they reach the age of 12.
Plans include lowering the class size for Grades JK to 3 and funding
to place a “lead teacher specially trained in literacy and numeracy”
in every elementary school, beginning in September, 2004.
W. Kennedy outlined budget projections for the
2004-2005 school year. Since the Ministry of Education has not yet released
their 2004-2005 budget technical papers all plans are currently based
upon estimates.
Budget challenges include:
· declining enrolment (equals loss of
funding for special education
· expiring employee contracts
· rising utility costs
· transportation costs
The current special education budget is $21.5
Million. Based on current information it is projected that, due to declining
enrolment, the special education budget will be reduced by $300,000
for 2004-2005.
W. Kennedy distributed DRAFT copies of the recommended
staffing complement for 2004-2005. The preliminary DRAFT complement
recommends the following increases and decreases:
· Increase of 1.5 Elementary DD/MF Teachers
· Increase of 1.0 Elementary ABLE Teacher
· Increase of 1.0 Secondary DD/MF Teacher
· Increase of 1.0 Secondary ABLE Teacher
· Decrease of 4.0 Elementary Resource
Teachers
· Decrease of 1.0 Secondary Resource Teacher
· Decrease of 0.5 Elementary Itinerant
Enrichment Teacher
· Increase of 19.0 Educational Assistants
Overall there will be approximately an additional
$530,000 spent on staffing. Staffing accounts for approximately 80%
of the special education budget.
L. Mawlam and J. Quaglia asked how they could
obtain more information on the 2004-2005 budget and future Board meetings.
W. Kennedy explained that the Board’s website, www.lkdsb.net was
an excellent source for information. Superintendent of Business, Ron
Andruchow, will attend the May SEAC meeting to outline the budget in
greater detail.
D. Scherer cautioned against any further Resource
Teacher reductions, stating that over the past few years when cuts were
required it was always Resource Teachers that were reduced. Students
are starting to feel the effects, especially those with learning disabilities.
W. Kennedy explained that the new literacy and
numeracy initiatives announced by the government today may reduce the
caseload of the Resource Teachers. Resource Teachers will receive in-servicing
on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 26, 2004, conducted by the “Team
Read” Teachers. SEAC members are welcome to attend. Contact W.
Kennedy for further details.
5.0
SPECIAL EDUCATION PLAN
5.1
Section 2.1.3 - Philosophy of Special Education
G. Haskell explained that staff were not recommending
any changes to the Philosophy of Special Education.
J. Quaglia and C. Taylor suggested that some
type of statement be included that would promote parental communication
and partnerships. After some discussion, SEAC agreed to add the Board’s
Belief Statements to Section 2.1.2, the section preceding the philosophy.
The Belief Statements promote parental involvement and open communication.
Belief Statements include:
ü Public education is an investment in all
peoples and all communities.
ü The safety of our school system is strengthened
by embracing diversity and respecting self, others and the environment.
ü Student success is enhanced by the shared
responsibility of students, staff, parents/guardians, business and community.
ü Programs and services must be focused
to prepare students to become contributing members of society.
ü The achievement of our Mission occurs
through the valued commitment and effort of staff.
ü Accountability is achieved through ongoing
evaluation, open communication and continuous improvement.
ü Optimal use of all available resources
is essential to the achievement of fiscal responsibility.
5.2
Section 2.2 - Roles and Responsibilities in Special Education
No changes recommended.
6.0
2003-2004 PROGRAM REVIEWS UPDATE
D. Seager provided an update on the progress
of the Physical Program Review Committee. Recommendations will be brought
to SEAC in June.
G. Haskell reported on the ongoing Review of
the Role of the Resource Teacher. The Committee continues to meet and
all Resource Teachers will meet again in May. Goals have been established
which include:
· Increase the Amount of Time Spent with
Students
· Support School Staff
· Improve Communication Between all Stakeholders
· Develop a Consistent Documentation Process
Across the District
· Establish Equitable Staffing of Resource
Teachers
D. Emery reviewed the activities of both the
Vision and Hearing Program Review Committees. They are in the process
of developing a handbook for staff and a pamphlet for parents outlining
the details of each program.
D. Emery distributed DRAFT copies of an Elementary
and a Secondary “Guided Transition Information Form”, which
has been developed by the Transition Committee to promote successful
transition planning for our highest needs students. SEAC was asked to
provide feedback on the form. Comments included:
· Could the form be used for all students
with special needs, not just students with the highest needs?
· Establish a protocol for storage and
access of the form.
7.0
CORRESPONDENCE
7.1
Letter from the Ministry of Education, dated March 29, 2004
A letter, dated March 29, 2004 from the Ministry
of Education, was reviewed. The letter announced that the Ministry of
Children and Youth Services has developed a plan to expand supports
for children and youth with Autism. The plan will:
· increase the number of pre-school children
who receive assessments and services,
· enhance knowledge and skills of educators
to support children and youth with autism in the classroom,
· strengthen support for parents as they
care for their children with autism, and
· provide for long-term sustainability
of these services through investments in knowledge and infrastructure.
A Working Group involving all affected education
partners will be formed to work out how the education sector can most
effectively educate children with autism, with the goal of implementation
in September, 2004.
8.0
ASSOCIATION REPORTS AND OTHER BUSINESS
W. Vallee circulated details of “A Starry
Night”, dinner and dance to be held on Friday, May 14, 2004 at
the W.I.S.H. Centre in Chatham. For tickets call (519)354-5248.
J. Greensmith announced that the Augmentative
Communication Services Team at the Pathways Health Centre for Children
recently received a three-year accreditation, which is the highest level
of accreditation granted by the Assistive Devices Program of the Ministry
of Health and Long Term Care. She also thanked Board staff for recently
providing a letter supporting adult programs at the Pathways Health
Centre.
R. Gallaway distributed information regarding
a “Box Lunch Social” on May 20, 2004, which is a fundraiser
for the St. Clair Child and Youth Services.
A. Kuhn reminded SEAC that May is Community Living
Month. Also, Community Living Chatham-Kent has appointed Jane Wright
as their alternate SEAC representative for this three-year term.
D. Scherer provided details on the following
activities:
· Need to Read Festival - May 4 to 8,
2004
· Learning Disabilities from the Inside
Out, Patrica Hatt - Monday, May 3, 2004, 7:00 p.m., Sarnia Public Library
AND Tuesday, May 4, 2004, 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., Aristo’s Banquet
Room, Chatham
· Learning Disabilities Association of
Chatham-Kent Summer, 2004 Tutoring Program and Social Skills Program
D. Emery informed SEAC that during Education
Week, Lesley Andrew will speak at four Secondary Schools: May 3, 2004
- Lambton-Kent Composite School and John McGregor Secondary School AND
May 4, 2004 - Sarnia Collegiate Institute and Technical School and Wallaceburg
District Secondary School. SEAC members can contact D. Emery if interested
in attending any of the sessions.
9.0
QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC - None.
10.0
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
· Exceptionality Presentations
· Safe Schools Act and Its Effect on Exceptional
Pupils
· Link between IPRC, IEP, and Transition
Plans, etc.
· New Criteria for Identifying Students
as "Communication (Learning Disability)"
· Budget Presentation
· Section-by-Section Special Education
Plan Review
· e-Learning SEAC Information Website
· IEP Update
11.0
NEXT MEETING
Thursday, May 20, 2004
Wallaceburg District Secondary School - Library
7:00 p.m.
12.0
ADJOURNMENT - 9:32 p.m.
Joan Sparks,
Recording Secretary.
