PROVISO AREA FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN GOVERNING BOARD MEETING PAEC CENTER – 7:00 P.M. NOVEMBER 10, 2009
AGENDA ------
I. ROLL CALL
II. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
III. APPROVAL OF GOVERNING BOARD MINUTES Recommended Motion: I move to approve the Governing Board Meeting Minutes of October 13, 2009 as presented.
IV. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Recommended Motion: I move to approve the Consent Agenda, which encompasses Agenda items V–Payroll, VI-Bills, XI Unfinished Business, and XII-New Business as presented.
V. APPROVAL OF PAYROLL Confirmation of payroll (excluding required employer deduction)
10/15/09_ 10/31/09_ TOTAL__ Education Fund $535,164.14 $544,352.95 $1,079,517.09 Building Fund 12,059.28 13,844.69 25,903.97 TOTALS $547,223.42 $558,197.64 $1,105,421.06
Recommended Motion: I move to approve Payroll as presented.
VI. APPROVAL OF BILLS Recommended Motion: I move to approve the Bills as presented.
VII. EXECUTIVE BOARD REPORT
VIII. DUPAGE/ WEST COOK REPORT
IX. COMMITTEE REPORTS
X. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT A. Informational 1. Enrollment and Classroom Staffing Patterns See attached.
2. Student-Staff Monthly Report See attached.
3. Police Reports PAEC Alternative Elementary: No Police Reports PAEC Alternative High School: October 6 th – Maywood Police responded when a student was found to be in possession of a controlled substance.
PAEC Governing Board Agenda November 10, 2009 Page 2
4. Initial Referrals See attached list.
5. Professional Development Activities See attached list of training sessions.
Ms. Cindy Baasten, our attorney from SragaHauser, LLC, provided a training session on “Developing Defendable IEP’s” on Friday, October 30th at PAEC Center. Several district and PAEC personnel attended the presentation. This session is one of a series designed to improve the IEP content and process.
On November 16 th , Dr. Smith will be conducting an inservice regarding Functional Behavior Assessments from 1 to 3 PM. PAEC program supervisors, principals, social workers and psychologists are invited to attend as well as all member district special education directors, social workers and psychologists.
6. Transitioning Alternative Program Students to District Home Schools See attached list of students who are being transitioned back to their home schools.
7. PAEC Activity Report See attached information.
8. ARRA IDEA Grant Ms. Marge Cieslewiz has made corrections to the ARRA IDEA and Preschool grants and resubmitted them for approval. Since ISBE is behind in approving construction projects that were included in the ARRA IDEA Flow-Through grant, they have been temporarily removed in order to expedite approval of the other components of the grant. Once we receive approval of the ARRA IDEA grants, the grant will then be amended to reinstate the construction projects at the original amounts.
9. Program Updates Early Childhood -Loretta, the Bellwood Children’s Librarian, came to read to the cross-categorical early childhood students during the AM session on October 19 th and during the PM session on October 22 nd . -On October 21 st , Ms. Carlos and Ms. Havertine, PAEC Social Workers, led a parent night for the EC program on Toilet Training. -On October 22 nd , Dr. Tim Wahlberg came to work with several teachers who have autistic children in their classrooms. He will be returning on November 12 th to see how the strategies he suggested are working.
PAEC Academy On October 9 th , we had a full day inservice. Mr. Paul Timm provided a presentation during the morning session on “School Safety”. In the afternoon, the program assistants had a presentation on sign language in the classroom and the teachers and certified staff worked on a School Safety Plan for PAEC Academy. -On October 16 th , the entire staff heard a presentation by Dr. Maniacci on dealing with different personalities. -Our first extended day was held on October 20 th . Mrs. Schwardt presented on the PCI Reading program, a researched-based reading program for non-readers. -Two students were elected as Assistant Principals for the day and helped run PAEC Academy and had lunch with Mrs. Schwardt. -The student council held an election and two students were elected as President and Vice President.
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PAEC Alternative Elementary -On October 16 th , Ms. DePasquale’s classroom participated in Pizza Hut’s “Book It” reading program. The students earned individual pizzas for reading. -Students wrote essays and interviewed teachers as part of the newspaper. -Eighth graders published the September/October issue of the school newspaper. -October 23 rd – Ms. Zeman’s 6 th & 7 th graders toured the museum at Cantigny in Wheaton as a quarterly incentive reward.
PAEC Center -October 9 th – PAEC staff, parents and friends did a great job supporting our Market Day fundraiser. Approximately $1200 was profited from this fundraiser which sold candy, wrapping paper, containers and other small gift items. -October 20 th – PAEC staff participated in Curriculum Mapping for each eligibility during the planned extended day. Each group was assigned to develop three goals and objectives that they felt would be appropriate for each eligibility from primary to post vocational students. All were required to submit an example of their ideas as it is important to have input from all team members. The inservice was very successful in the fact that everyone had positive ideas and comments afterwards. -October 24 th – PAEC staff, parents and friends had a great time at the Horseshoe Casino, PAEC Center School’s latest fundraiser. Approximately $1000 was profited from the trip. -October 31 st – PAEC Center staff attended a half day inservice. The program assistants will attend a presentation on “Proper Communication in the Classroom”. Teachers and other related staff members will attend a presentation of “Defendable IEP’s”.
PAEC Alternative High School -The First Quarter report cards have been mailed home, -Mrs. Ross is helping to coordinate our 1 st Quarter Student Recognition activity for high school students who have met the proper criteria by earning level rewards. The activity is scheduled to take place on November 6 th and is designed to acknowledge only those students who have met the specified level criteria during the first 9 weeks of school. -The Second Quarter began on October 19 th .
Behavior Team Interventions *Jefferson School One behavior coach continues to observe and consult with a kindergarten teacher about a student who presents disruptive classroom behavior. First Step is being considered as an appropriate intervention, pending parental approval.
*MacArthur School Two behavior coaches continue to work with the staff in a self-contained special education classroom to monitor implementation of a behavior plan for one student and class-wide behavior strategies. Data indicates significant improvement in the classroom behavior and with the student with the behavior plan.
*Sunnyside School -One PAEC staff member had been assigned to support a first grade teacher with special education students transitioning into her classroom. Behavior data indicates that problematic behaviors have decreased and the teacher is comfortable with less support in the classroom. The behavior coach continues to do one or two observations per week and checks in with the teacher on a regular basis. -Another coach continues to consult with the Pre-K teacher and collect observational data in the classroom on a student who is experiencing difficulty.
*Lincoln School PAEC staff have been observing and meeting with a sixth grade teacher and social worker about a student with significant office discipline referrals. Several behavior interventions are being considered.
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Intervention Team Activities -September 29 th , October 7 th , October 14 th , and October 19 th - Observations and curriculum-based measurement at St. Domitilla & St. John Vianney -October 1 st - Articulation meeting with 4 th grade team facilitator at Hillside -October 1 st - Problem-solving team (PST) meeting at Hillside -October 5 th - ASPIRE Coaches-of-Coaches Training -October 6 th - Grade level team meeting (4 th grade) at Hillside -October 6 th - PAL-RW meeting with District 87 building principals -October 6 th – Program Assistant’s Extended Day -October 7 th (PM) and October 8 th (PM) - AIMSweb training for PAL interventionists -October 8 th - Timely & Meaningful Consultation meeting at St. John Vianney -October 8 th - Problem-Solving Team (PST) meeting at Hillside -October 13 th - Timely & Meaningful Consultation meeting at St. Domitilla -October 14 th - Grade level intervention team meeting at Emerson School -October 15 th - Problem-solving team (PST) meeting in Hillside -October 16 th - Articulation meeting in District 89 -October 20 th - District Leadership Team meeting in District 89 -October 21 st - Systematic Change / Grade Level Team presentation in District 89 -October 22 nd - Problem-solving team (PST) meeting in Hillside -Date to be determined - (Tentative) RtI Presentation at Roosevelt Middle School in District 88 -October 27 th - Individual Service Plan (ISP) meetings at St. John Vianney -October 28 th - ASPIRE meeting at West 40 -October 30 th - 1/2 –day Program Assistant’s training at PAEC -November 4th and 5 th - (4 th /5 th /6 th grade) Grade level intervention team presentations (6 total) -Date to be determined - PAL-RW training at St. John Vianney
First Step to Success -October 27 th & 28 th - Trainers from the University of Oregon conducted two days of training in the First Step intervention. Approximately 20 teachers and 20 coaches from PAEC member districts attended. -Several teachers that were selected for the training have challenging students that have been identified as needing a Tier II level behavior intervention.
Speech/Language Department -The Speech/Language Department is in full swing, providing therapy to students and many re- evaluations for students here at PAEC Center. -The PAEC Center team is working well together to address the augmentative/alternative communication needs of students who have difficulty communicating verbally. -We are currently contacting other professionals from clinics in the area, the Illinois Assistive Technology Program, and Infinitec programs to try assistive technology/devices that we do not have access to within our department for students who need it. -Two Speech/Language pathologists, including the lead, will be attending the Assistive Technology Industry Associate conference in Schaumburg where we will be able to choose from 150+ educational sessions spanning the breadth and depth of assistive technology; connect with professionals, users, parents and manufacturers to realize the power of assistive technology; experience assistive technology at work in the exhibit hall, and see the future at product previews. -The lead therapists are also meeting as a group with Dr. Smith to address current issues within their departments and throughout the cooperative. Topics discussed at the first meeting this year included workload for special educators, evaluation procedures, goal writing, and procedure/protocol for multidisciplinary conferences.
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Social Work Department *Intern Committee (Co-Chair - Julie Fallon) Interns and Field Instructors are coordinating the evaluation process of the SW Interns in collaboration with the University Supervisors; Social Work Interns and Field Instructors are meeting consistently for at least 1 hour per week to discuss caseloads, process recordings, community resources and any other questions/concern interns may have pertaining to their internship experience.
*Crisis Intervention Committee (Co-Chair – John Franzen) The Crisis Committee members are currently attempting to schedule a date in December 2009 to meet to address any topics related to the crisis intervention protocol currently in place and to review and/or make any changes necessary to the current plan in place.
*RtI Committee (Co-Chair – Angela Orlando) The RTI Committee is planning to hold its first meeting on Friday, Nov. 13, 2009 from 9:30 am – 10:30 am to continue discussions/questions/concerns related to RtI/Tiered Interventions/Evidenced Based Practice in School Mental Health and the role of the school social worker.
*In-Service Committee (Co-Chair – Kathy Haritos) The In-Service committee members are currently surveying PAEC School Social Workers via email to collect information about possible in-service topics, presentations, and speakers they may wish the committee to look into scheduling for the 2010-11 school year.
*LCSW Supervision Committee (Co-Chair – Elizabeth Sexton) Currently, the LCSW Supervisors are meeting with and providing clinical supervision to the six LCSW Candidates in preparation for their licensure exam. Four hours per month of supervision is provided each candidate (two hours in a group supervision and two hours individual supervision).
*Sunshine Committee (Co-Chair - Sue Havertine) The Sunshine Committee is working on the planning, organization and coordination of the December 11, 2009 PAEC School Social Work Holiday Luncheon. The committee will also present School Social Worker, Ms. Angela Orlando, with a $30.00 gift certificate from Crate & Barrel, in honor of her upcoming wedding, on behalf of the PAEC School Social Work Department. The PAEC Alternative High School Social Workers sent a Flower Arrangement and card to PAEC School Nurse, Ms. Cecelia Littlefield, wishing her a speedy recovery from her most recent surgery.
OT/PT Department -We have one new occupational therapist – Ms. Gayatri Chander, who began working at PAEC Center on October 19 th and will soon be assigned students at PAEC Academy. -Ms. Anamika Saini, OT, will be coming back after Thanksgiving break. -Ms. Cheryl Brown, who is a temporary OT, will be leaving when Ms. Saini returns. -We are still in the process of calculating caseloads to see if further need of OT will be needed. - We will continue to work on insuring that all students who have OT and/or PT services are covered. -We are in the process of exploring Infinitec as a possible option of services. -Two OT’s and one PT attended the Assistive Technology Industry Association Conference on October 28 th -31 st at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center. - One of our contract PT’s, Mr. Ken Jude, received his Advanced Clinical Instructor’s training and passed his exam this month. This spring, we are planning to have 2 OT students and 1 PT student.
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Psychology Department *Professional Development/Training Two PAEC psychologists, Ms. Lindsay Pappas and Ms. Amber Evenson, along with both PAEC psychologist interns, Ms. Alissa Fitch and Ms. Laura Genslinger, attended the First Step to Success coaches training held on October 27 th and 28 th at the Best Western in Hillside.
*Intern Supervision Our psychologist interns, Alissa and Laura spent the day with Ms. Mary Therese Geary, lead psychologist, visiting a number of schools/programs within the township, including the MIE program at St. Domitilla’s, Jefferson, Sunnyside and MacArthur in District 87, Lincoln, Melrose Park and Jane Addams in District 89, and Proviso West High School. Alissa and Laura also assisted in creating additional PAL materials (flashcards) for interventionists.
*RtI Committee The RtI committee met on Wednesday, November 4 th at PAEC. The agenda included “How to Interpret and Best use Benchmark and Progress Monitoring Data”, “Implementing Research-Based Reading, Writing, and Math Interventions and Incorporating this Data into Psychological Evaluations”.
*Meetings Our second PAEC psychologists’ meeting was held on Friday, October 9 th , 2009. Districts 88 and 89 psychologists were also in attendance. PAEC psychologist, Ms. Rosalinda Barragan, who is assigned to Proviso West High School, presented the reading CBMs and survey level assessment procedures, and demonstrated how to record data on an Excel graph and include it in a report. PAEC psychologist, Ms. Lindsay Pappas, assigned to Lindop, demonstrated the administration and scoring of writing CBMs. Ms. Pappas and Ms. Fitch offered small group and/or individual follow up training to all psychologists.
Special Olympic Program -On October 18 th , 27 bowlers competed in the Sectional Bowling Tournament held at Stardust Lanes in Addison. Gold medals were won by 15 bowlers and they have qualified to attend the State Special Olympic Tournament in Peoria on December 5 th . The athletes will leave on Friday, December 4 th and stay overnight at the Comfort Suites. -The 3 rd Annual PAEC Special Olympic Golf Outing was held on Sunday, October 11 th at Maple Meadow Golf Course in Wood Dale. After expenses, the profit was $5,383. -Basketball Teams: --This year, we have three high school boys teams, two high school girls teams and a Jr. High team. Practices will be held at PAEC Center and at St. Domitilla School. Home games will be held at PAEC High School gym. --PAEC Magic, the High School Boys Team, and the Lady Pacers played in the Nequa Valley High School Basketball Tournament on Sunday, November 1 st . --The District Basketball Tournament will be held on Sunday, January 17, 2010 and all those who receive Gold Medals will attend the State Basketball Tournament held the weekend of March 14, 2010.
XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None
XII. NEW BUSINESS A. Bilingual Speech/Language Pathologist District 88 has requested that we employ one, 1.0 FTE Bilingual Speech/Language Pathologist to provide services to students within their district for the 2009-2010 school year.
Recommended Motion: I move to approve the employment of one, 1.0 FTE Bilingual Speech/Language Pathologist for District 88, for the 2009-2010 school year as presented.
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B. FMLA Request 1. Ms. Jamee Kenny Ms. Kenny, program assistant in the MIE program, is expecting a child in November. She has requested an FMLA which will begin November 23, 2009 and continue until January 29, 2010.
Recommended Motion: I move to approve the FMLA request of Ms. Kenny beginning November 23, 2009 and ending January 29, 2010 as presented.
2. Ms. Catrina Towers Ms. Towers, program assistant at the PAEC Alternative High School, is expecting a child and has requested an FMLA which will begin October 13, 2009 through January 4, 2010.
Recommended Motion: I move to approve the FMLA request of Ms. Towers beginning October 13, 2009 and ending January 4, 2010 as presented.
3. Ms. Tiffany Westbrooks Ms. Westbrooks, program assistant at PAEC Alternative Elementary, is expecting a child and has requested an FMLA leave which will begin January 3, 2010 through February 1, 2010.
Recommended Motion: I move to approve the FMLA request of Ms. Westbrooks beginning January 3, 2010 and ending February 1, 2010 as presented.
4. Ms. Debbie Muhammad Ms. Muhammad, teacher at PAEC Center, has requested to extended her FMLA request from October 20, 2009 to approximately November 3, 2009 due to medical reasons.
Recommended Motion: I move to approve the FMLA extension request of Ms. Muhammad from October 20, 2009 to approximately November 3, 2009 as presented.
C. Accurate Biometrics, Inc. Currently, our new employees are fingerprinted at the Police Station at a cost of $25.00 each. The fingerprint cards are then submitted to the Illinois State Police at a cost of $39.25 each. The results from the Illinois State Police and FBI are then returned to us within two to four weeks. Accurate Biometrics, Inc. schedules a day each month at the First Student Bus Company in Maywood to fingerprint new employees. Their cost is $56.25 per employee and the results from the Illinois State Police and FBI are returned within 7 to 10 days. If we use this company, we will save $8.00 per employee.
I am recommending that we begin to use Accurate Biometrics, Inc. for the purpose of fingerprinting and obtaining police reports for our new employees.
Recommended Motion: I move to enter into a three year Agreement with Accurate Biometrics, Inc. for the purpose of fingerprinting new employees in order to obtain police reports from the Illinois State Police and the FBI, as presented.
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D. Adoption of Revised Special Education Policies and Procedures We will need to review and approve the revised Special Education Policies and Procedures which were developed by the Illinois Counsel of School Attorneys (ICSA) which have been sent to your districts for approval.
After your Board has reviewed and approved these Policies and Procedures, the “Written Assurance of Policies and Procedures in Accordance with IDEA 2004” will need to be submitted to ISBE.
Recommended Motion: I move to review and approve the “Changes to IDEA Regulations and Revisions to ICSA’s Special Education Procedures Assuring the Implementation of Comprehensive Programming for Children with Disabilities” (“Special Education Procedures”) revised September 2009, as presented.
E. Employment/Resignations/Terminations *Employment: Eric Murphy – 1:1 Program Assistant – PAEC Center - $14,322 – effective 10/15/09 – 6/9/10 Marquita Griffin – Program Assistant – PAEC E.C. Program - $15,365 – effective 10/5/09 – 6/9/10
Recommended Motion: I move to approve the employment of personnel as presented.
*Resignations: Recommended Motion: I move to accept the resignations of personnel as presented.
*Terminations: Recommended Motion: I move to approve the terminations of personnel as presented.
XIII. ADDITIONAL ITEMS TO BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE GOVERNING BOARD
XIV. BOARD CORRESPONDENCE
XV. CLOSED SESSION Recommended Motion: I move to convene into Closed Session at PM under Section 2 (c) (11) of the Open Meetings Act to discuss possible litigation as presented.
XVI. ADJOURNMENT Recommended Motion : I move to adjourn the meeting at PM for lack of further items to discuss .
ts/gov/agnov09