LAMBTON KENT DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Thursday
Wallaceburg District Secondary School
19 00 hours
2004 02 26
Library
(7:00 p.m.)
M I N U T E S
PRESENT:
Rose Gallaway, St. Clair Child and Youth Services
Jenny Greensmith, Pathways Health Centre for Children
Norma Hills, Community Living Sarnia-Lambton
Susie Jones, Trustee
Al Kuhn, Community Living Chatham-Kent
Marion Lennan, Lambton County Developmental Services
Duncan Longwell, Trustee (Chair)
Laurie Mawlam, Community Living Wallaceburg
Donna Scherer, Learning Disabilities Association of Chatham-Kent
Charlene Taylor, Member "at large"
Jonathan Quaglia, Member "at large"
REGRETS:
Sharon Nickerson, Member "at large"
Wenda Vallee, Autism Society of Ontario
RESOURCE
Warren Kennedy, Superintendent of Education
STAFF:
Geri Haskell and Debbie Seager, Special Education Co-ordinators
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1.0
CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME
W. Kennedy called the meeting to order at 7:03
p.m. and welcomed SEAC members to the first official meeting for this
three-year term. The following information was distributed:
· Copies of the Winter to Spring, 2004
Workshops Catalogue, “Staff Development for all Employees”.
SEAC members are welcome to attend any of the in-service sessions, but
were reminded to pre-register by calling 336-1530, Ext. 487.
· Revised SEAC Brochures. Contact Joan
Sparks for additional copies.
· Correspondence announcing that, SEAC
member, Jenny Greensmith has been appointed Executive Director of the
Pathways Health Centre for Children, effective March 1, 2004.
· Report to the Board from the Director
of Education re: the Proposed Transportation Restructuring Project.
J. Greensmith was congratulated on her new appointment.
2.0
ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR
The floor was opened for nominations for Chair.
Duncan Longwell was nominated and declared Chair by acclamation.
The floor was then opened for nominations for
SEAC Vice-Chair. Donna Scherer was nominated and declared Vice-Chair
by acclamation.
Chair D. Longwell asked SEAC members to introduce
themselves.
3.0
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 2003 12 11
The Minutes of 2003 12 11 were approved as written.
4.0
BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES - None.
5.0
FEEDBACK/QUESTIONS/SUMMARY FROM JANUARY 29 SEAC ORIENTATION
SEAC members provided feedback from the SEAC
Training session hosted by the Learning Disabilities Association of
Lambton County on January 29, 2004, at Devine Street School in Sarnia.
Lynn Ziraldo, Executive Director of the York Region Learning Disabilities
Association conducted the in-service. Comments included:
· wheelchair accessible location is recommended
for future sessions
· develop a “buddy” system
for new members
· workshop was very beneficial
· successful practices information was
helpful
W. Kennedy suggested that SEAC continue with
the current meeting format for the next three or four meetings and then
review Lynn Ziraldo’s recommendations for successful meetings.
6.0
TRANSPORTATION RESTRUCTURING
SEAC members reviewed the Report to the Board
from the Director of Education providing an update on the proposed Transportation
Restructuring Project. To summarize:
· The transportation restructuring project
began in November 2002 to reduce overspending in transportation and
to provide a uniform level of service.
· For the 2003/2004 school year, the Lambton
Kent District School Board and the St. Clair Catholic District School
Board combined will spend in excess of 1 million dollars over the funding
provided by the Ministry of Education for transportation.
· The additional funding required to operate
the system is taken from other funding sources, some of which is being
phased out by the Ministry of Education. The annual overspending is
not sustainable. The goal of the project is to redirect the funds back
to the classroom, achieve equity throughout the district and to eliminate
as much as possible the use of the transfer system in the southern area
of the district.
· Bus transfer points have been a big
concern to our schools and principals have requested changes to address
this safety problem.
· In September 2003, uniform walking distances
were implemented throughout the district. The walk distance for Junior
Kindergarten to grade 2 students in the north was increased, which reduced
the overspending by $152,000.
· The proposed changes currently being
studied are designed to transport students to school for less cost by
using the same bus for multiple routes resulting in an adjustment to
school start times in the southern portion of the district. The proposed
changes could result in the redirection of approximately $750,000, back
into the classrooms to enhance learning opportunities for students.
· There is no evidence that early start
times have had a negative impact on achievement levels.
SEAC members were provided with the opportunity
to ask questions and provide feedback.
A. Kuhn and L. Mawlam mentioned that additional
information could be obtained by visiting the website: http://www.schoolbusinfo.com/restructure.
J. Quaglia requested information on transportation
eligibility distances:
· Elementary students (JK to Grade 8)
will be provided bus services if they live further than 1.6 km from
their school.
· Secondary school students (Grade 9 to
graduation) will be provided bus service if they live further than 3.2
km from their school.
W. Kennedy clarified that if the proposal was
accepted it is understood that the practice of bus transfer points would
be eliminated. Special needs pupils will be bussed directly to their
schools and will no longer have to transfer busses.
Referring to the elimination of transfer points,
J. Quaglia suggested that SEAC support the proposed changes.
Motion: Moved by J. Quaglia, seconded by L. Mawlam,
that the Special Education Advisory Committee recommend that the Lambton
Kent District School Board accept the proposed transportation restructuring
changes, based on the information that the bus transfer system in the
southern area of the district will be eliminated for special needs pupils.
C. Taylor wondered if there were any exceptions
to the transportation eligibility distances. W. Kennedy explained that
if a student within walking distance of a school required transportation
for safety purposes, a review would be conducted and transportation
provided if deemed appropriate.
S. Jones stated she would abstain from voting
on the Motion due to the fact she is a Trustee and will be voting on
the issue on April.
D. Scherer requested clarification on the projected
annual savings if the changes were implemented. Annual savings are projected
to be $750,000 if everything remains constant (i.e., enrolment, funding,
etc.).
The Motion CARRIED.
7.0
SUMMARY OF SCHOOL OCTOBER REPORT STATISTICS FOR STUDENTS RECEIVING SPECIAL
EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
A detailed summary of the “Students Receiving
Special Education Programs and Services” section of the school
2003 October Reports to the Ministry of Education was reviewed. The
statistics revealed that 3512 exceptional pupils and 2690 non-exceptional
pupils, for a total of 6202 pupils, are being supported by the Special
Education Grant. This figure is approximately 1% above the provincial
average.
J. Quaglia requested the figures divided by Elementary
and Secondary.
D. Scherer questioned the number of students
with Learning Disabilities reported under the Fully Self-Contained and
Partially Integrated Special Class columns. G. Haskell explained that
these would be exceptional (I.P.R.C.’d) secondary school students
enrolled in the Transition L.D. program or the ABLE program.
W. Kennedy mentioned that investigation is taking
place concerning the creation of an elementary Transition L.D. program,
complete with adaptive technology, for the 2005-2006 school year. C.
Taylor spoke about the positive differences adaptive technology has
made in the life of her elementary school-aged child.
C. Taylor requested that SEAC be provided with
the Ministry definitions associated with the Special Class/Regular Class
column headings (e.g., fully self-contained, partially integrated, etc.).
8.0
2003-2004 PROGRAM REVIEWS UPDATE
G. Haskell informed SEAC that three Special Education
Program Reviews have begun. Committees have been struck with each planning
to meet approximately twice per month to review the following programs:
Vision, Hearing, and Physical. Following the reviews, recommendations
will be brought to SEAC.
G. Haskell also provided information on an informal
review currently being conducted on the role of the Resource Teacher.
SEAC will be kept apprised of the progress of the “Committee to
Review the Role of the Resource Teacher”.
All review committees have SEAC member representation.
9.0
CORRESPONDENCE
9.1
Ministry of Education Memos, Dated January 15 and January 28, 2004 Re:
e-Learning SEAC Information Program
The Ministry of Education has developed an internet-based
information program for SEAC members. A training session was held on
Saturday, February 21, 2004, at Ridgetown District High School, for
three SEAC members, one administrator, and one computer technical support
staff person from each Board in the London District Office region. A.
Kuhn, S. Nickerson, W. Vallee and W. Kennedy volunteered to attend,
along with Jason Maynard, IT Technician. W. Vallee was unable to attend
at the last minute due to an emergency.
A. Kuhn reported that there were six Boards represented
and participants were given a chance to explore and critique the program.
He felt that the session was very worthwhile and the website will be
extremely helpful for SEAC members once available. It is expected that
the program will be available to all SEAC’s by the end of April,
at which time a demonstration will be made at a SEAC meeting and passwords
issued.
W. Kennedy mentioned that participants recommended
that Special Education and Resource Teachers, along with Principals
and Associations also have access to this valuable tool. More information
will be brought forward once available.
10.0
ASSOCIATION REPORTS AND OTHER BUSINESS
A. Kuhn stated that Community Living Chatham-Kent
feels that the Lambton Kent District School Board does a great job supporting
special needs children and they should be commended.
D. Scherer informed SEAC that March is Learning
Disabilities Awareness Month. The Learning Disabilities Association
will be conducting a poster campaign aimed at youth entitled, “Stay
in School, Succeed in Life”.
N. Hills explained that a major fundraiser for
Community Living Sarnia-Lambton, the Shannon Volleyball Tournament,
will be held at the end of March (instead the end of February). May
is Community Living Month.
L. Mawlam submitted details of a one-day workshop,
on April 22, 2004, hosted by the Family Support Resource Network and
Community Living Wallaceburg, “Voice of Friendship: Cultivating
Inclusive Communities”.
J. Greensmith circulated an invitation to attend
an Open House at the Pathways Health Centre for Children on Saturday,
February 28, 2004.
R. Gallaway provided an update on the financial
difficulties currently being experienced by St. Clair Child and Youth
Services, which may result in the reduction of services available to
children requiring mental health supports. Letters of support are encouraged.
Their annual Box Lunch Social fundraiser is planned for May.
11.0
QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC - None.
12.0
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
W. Kennedy suggested that the following items
be included on the March meeting agenda:
· Special Education Plan Amendments
· Feedback on Individual Education Plans
(I.E.P.’s)
· Update from the Autism Transition Committee
R. Gallaway suggested the possibility of reviewing
the SEAC meeting location.
· 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)"
13.0
NEXT MEETING
Thursday, March 25, 2004
Wallaceburg District Secondary School - Library
7:00 p.m.
14.0
ADJOURNMENT - 8:50 p.m.
Joan Sparks,
Attach.
Recording Secretary.
