COMMENTS, COMMENDATIONS, CONCERNS

• Beth Pinto stated that much of her work has focused on the school support site visit. The date of the visit has changed, and the team will be here January 20-23, 2004. There will be a team at each building. Beth explained that they will pull 11 charts between Melrose and Lawn schools (basically one per grade level), one private school student, and one high school student. Selections of the charts were based on disability category, age, and gender. The state should have notified parents that their children’s charts will be examined. The team will also interview the SELAC President, as well as teachers, and will synthesize the results. In November, the state will synthesize data. After the on-site visit, they will present their report to the school in February 2004, submit it to the Department of Education, and make it available for public reporting.
• The School Committee started the budget process last Thursday. Beth Pinto distributed a copy of the presentation that she gave for them. Request for funding is up 6.4% and this is for two full years. Much of the request was level-funded. Major increases included out-of-district tuition, private schools, and evaluations (both number and type). Tuition for LEA includes six children, two of whom will graduate from high school this year. There are nine 230-day children. March-June children number 17. Private school costs have increased. Beth noted that she has spent substantial administrative time on the private school population. Costs for evaluations have increased. Due to NCLB, children who are not making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) will need additional evaluation. The budget request does not include contingencies and was only for present students. The School Committee will use the unreserved fund if needed for new students. Beth explained that she felt it was the responsible thing to do to ask for what was needed, not things that were not absolutely not needed. Fran Goode asked about whether there were new programs, such as Language Learning Disabilities. Beth explained that we can’t have one specific program because each child is so individual. Gaeli said that second grade now has touch math and now there is a new multi-sensory spelling program. Fran Goode asked about teacher development training. Anne Gorman said that if teachers ask for training, they get it.
• Ginny Perry asked about the state having the right to go through Jamestown children’s files. Beth Pinto explained that they have the right, but parents must be told in advance. The state also has to sign a form stating that they have accessed the files. These are considered "educational records" and not medical. The records are accessed individually; however the reports are written anonymously so that no names of the children go on the documents. The state looks at Jamestown’s compliance with education laws as well as the performance of its students. If the state finds that the school is not in compliance in any of 14 areas or weaknesses are found, they give a grant to correct the problem.

• Minutes for October 2003 were accepted as corrected.

Beth Pinto said that she has done a survey regarding children who exit speech/language programs. This information is not collected statewide. We have about 45 speech/language students.

• Lisa Casey gave Beth Pinto information on a video.
• Beth Pinto has information on the Tourette Syndrome group meeting.
• Jan Kraus sent a copy of a flyer, Disability Issues, for possible inclusion in the library.
• A copy of the newsletter, What Every Parent Needs to Know About Special Education, was distributed.
• RIPIN has flyers on Six Keys to School/Community Partnership. These will be distributed to the School Committee, school administration, and SITs.
• Anne Gorman distributed a flyer about a program, Overcoming Dyslexia, which will be given at the Masonic Learning Center in Cranston on Thursday, January 15, 2004 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sally Shaywitz is the speaker and she is a cutting-edge researcher in dyslexia. She recommended that people attend.
• Anne Gorman received email from Children & Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder of RI. They are having a meeting at Bradley Hospital on the 19^th at 7:15 p.m. to discuss continuation of the group.
• Anne Gorman asked Lisa Casey about cataloging resource library materials and whether she could help her to get materials ready for circulation faster. Lisa said that Anne couldn’t help with the cataloging. She will ask Lisa to catalog the top 10 most popular books first. Anne will give Gaeli a list of these books that they could be printed in the newsletter. The list could also go to the PTO.

• The Strategic Plan has been accepted by the School Committee. The next step is to develop action teams.

• Beth Pinto distributed a document with program and job descriptions.
• Planning Center staff at the Lawn Avenue School has not been replaced. Gaeli asked about the impact of this change and how it affects Sandra Reynolds’ work. Most of the Planning Center work at Lawn has been related to behavior problems. Mrs. Sipala has decided not to fill this position right now. Mark Allard has assumed part of this role. Anne Gorman explained that the school is looking at what is needed and how services can be continued and/or reorganized in order to still get behavior services.
• A new job description has been written.
• Gaeli asked if SELAC should write a letter regarding the Planning Center position at Lawn Avenue. Gaeli will write a letter to inquire whether this position will be filled.
• Keller DiLuglio questioned how much work has been added to Sandra Reynolds’ load. Sandra said that the teachers have been very good about helping.

Support Group - Discussion is tabled until the December meeting.

• A RIPIN speaker will come to Jamestown on December 9, 2003 between 7 - 8:15 p.m. and will speak on transitioning to high school and beyond. The meeting will be in the Melrose School Library.
• There will be a short business meeting at 6:30 p.m., which will include only approval of Minutes and Special Education Director’s report.
• Gaeli will write a blurb for the Warrior.

• The special education newsletter will include information on school support visit, books, and notification about the RIPIN lecture on transitioning.

Kathy Alamanzor is giving a talk about homework tomorrow night. It will include information about math.

• The Speaker’s Bureau contacted us to let us know about possible lectures than they can give. There is a topic on Financial Planning for Special Needs that is pertinent to the group.
• Shahin Barzin recommended someone who could talk about nutrition and its effect on learning disabilities.
• Please let Gaeli know if you have ideas about a keynote speaker.
• Proposed date for Awareness Day is March 27, 2004.
• Ginny Perry has volunteered to be responsible for child care.
• It was suggested that we hold Awareness Day at the Lawn Avenue School.
• Be ready to discuss topics for Awareness Day at the December meeting.
• Maureen McGuirl is the SIT person responsible for getting ideas from Lawn Avenue parents and staff regarding topics they might want on the program.
• Jack Reed was suggested as a possible keynote speaker.
• Gaeli will send a list to the SITs to see if anyone wants to serve on a subcommittee. It was suggested that we want to get the rest of the school involved in planning this event.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:38 p.m.

Barbara B. Davis