MINUTES February 12, 2004

CAC members present: Gretchen Borg, Duane Chapman, Victor Costa, Carmen Cruz, Joy Deaver, Tom Florin, Roxanne Hayes, Liz Jones, Jeannette Lambert, Barbara Large, Janet Lloyd-Massey, Kathy Roehl,

Staff members present: Steve Collins, Barbara Chriss, Edwyna Elzie, Darlene Jones, Susan Keeffe, Baby Raff, Sharon Sanger, Ken Talken

Guests present: Maha Hamdan, Liz Alvarez, Kathy Cleberg

The meeting started at 7:05 p.m

Joy Deaver requested that in making introductions, everyone at the meeting should mention something positive that had happened to them or their child. Of note, Jordan Bishop won second place for Behavioral Studies at the Portola Middle School Science Fair. His study, entitled Autism + Music = Relaxation, showed the effect of different types of music on his brother’s ability to feel calm. A copy of the report was circulated. Two new program specialists, Edwyna Elzie and Ken Talken introduced themselves to the group.

In reviewing the minutes from the January 8, 2004 meeting, Duane Chapman requested that it be noted, under committee reports, that the outreach committee and Medi-Cal committee did not make a report. Steve Collins explained that since Medi-Cal funds had been frozen, there were no meetings; he said he would share the minutes of previous meetings with Mr. Chapman. Mr. Chapman motioned to approve the minutes pending the addition of which committees did not make reports last month. The motion was seconded and approved.

Announcements:

1. California Chapter of the National Autism Association will present a conference entitled Behaviors and Advocacy on Saturday, March 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Spectrum Center, Tara Hills Campus. Conference registration is $20. For more information, call 672-0262.

2. Oakland Special Skater Program meets Fridays from 4-5:00 p.m. Call 268-9000 for more information.

3. A handout, describing Steve Seskin’s school assembly programs, was distributed. The centerpiece of his program is the song “Don’t Laugh at Me” and other songs that address issues such as respect, compassion, diversity and self-esteem. For more information, see www.steveseskin.com.

4. Special Connection, the winter 2003/2004 CAC Newsletter was distributed at the meeting and through the Dept. of Special Education. The newsletter is also available through the District website.

5. Making Math Real Summer Camp will take place for three weeks, starting August 2nd, at Windrush School in El Cerrito. Call 527-0720, ext. 2 to register. Space is limited.

6. California SELPA Legislation Day will take place May 5, 2004 in Sacramento. Contact the Special Education Dept. if you are interested in attending with representatives from WCCUSD.

7. “You Make A Difference” Award Ceremony will take place on Thursday, March 4 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Castro Elementary School.

Making Math Real Workshop Wrap-Up

Overall, the comments from attendees were very positive. Mr. Berg was accurate in describing how the math books don’t present concepts. His presentation gave enough information to start working with students at home or in the classroom.

Jeannette Lambert reported that an RSP teacher trained in the program was coaching a general education teacher and both were successfully applying the program in the classroom. Children were really responding and “getting” a clearer picture.

Several handouts were distributed:

· An overview of Making Math Real, a multi-sensory, structured program. See www.makingmathreal.org.

· After School Math Program for Kids: for 2nd-5th grade students only; 10-week session every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon.

· 2003-2004 After School Math Program Quarterly Scopes and Sequences handout.

SELPA Director’s Report: Steve Collins

Personnel:

The District is in the process of hiring one OT. The other 2 positions are still open.

Budget:

Mr. Collins distributed proposed budget reductions by the School Board. He and Jeanine Bishop had attended the School Board Meeting the night before. The district will face a $10 million deficit if Measure J and the two state bond measures pass. We will face a $22.6 million deficit if all three measures are defeated. There are proposed cuts for 2004-2005 that impact special education. These include cutting the principal of the transition program, downgrading the director of special education to an administration position; reduction in transportation services and elimination of two psychologist positions. Four different budget scenarios will be developed. On March 3, the day after the elections, the Board will vote on one of them. The cost of health and medical (which goes up $5 million per year) and workmen’s compensation are creating major budget issues.

At the February 26th School Board meeting, there will be a resolution for disability awareness month and this will be the last night to hear budget concerns.

Projects:

Alternative Dispute Resolution Conference will take place April 19 and 20th. Most of the staff are going and parents may also go.

The full Inclusion Manual is done and was distributed at the CAC meeting.

The Classroom Support Aide Manual is still in draft form and will be edited by Susan Keeffe.

The Service Plan is completed and was distributed to attendees. New regulations to the budget portion will create more revising which must be completed by October of 2004.

The Algebra requirement to graduate has led to the formation of a committee headed by Ora Anderson. She is contacting other SELPA’s to find out how they are handling the requirement.

2004-2005 planning:

Because El Portal is on the Hayward fault, it will be closed down this summer and everyone in the Transition Program will be relocated.

There is tentative approval to hire an Autism specialist. Dr. LeBlanc requested the SELPA to show that we are spending more by contracting out. Kathy Small gets a sub so that one day per week, she can help out on a consultation basis in other autism classrooms.

Legislation Day:

May 5th. After the Ski Week break, please let Mr. Collins know if you are interested in attending. This provides an opportunity to hear the “hot” issues addressed in the Legislature.

Victor Costa stated that last year, when our group was to meet with Loni Hancock, she muttered that she was too busy and her aide answered questions in the hallway. He asked if there was anyway that legislators would commit to meeting with us. Others stated that we met with Tom Torlakson.

OLD BUSINESS:

“You Make a Difference” Award Assembly:

Joy Deaver and Barbara Large met with Trish and Glenn Rockeman concerning a special memorial award to be given in honor of their son, Jake Rockeman. The award is for general education students who have gone out of their way to make the lives of special education students more accepted in our district. School administrators are being asked to distribute the nomination forms to all teachers or programs that have students that work together with special education students. Fax to Susan Keeffe at 724-9883.

Joy Deaver also noted that one of our guests at the CAC meeting, Kathy Cleberg, would be a recipient of a “YMAD” award. 

Committee Reports:

Oversight Committee- Gretchen Borg

The committee consists of elected persons and Board members who oversee building issues associated with Measures M and D. Ms. Borg was elected by the CAC and she stated that she needs a letter from the CAC Co-Chairs and the minutes to document that she is in fact the official representative of the CAC.

There are delays with renovation at Harding due to structural issues and the weather. To prevent delays, it is planned to accept bids in April so that construction can start at the beginning of the summer. The disadvantages of phase projects versus full transitional housing were discussed. Phase projects are difficult to orchestrate and cause delays in construction. Full transitional housing saves money and reduces risks. It was suggested that Kensington Elementary School would move off site. Kathy Roehl pointed out that this has not yet been finalized.

Downer Elementary was not to be remodeled because it is an odd site: a junior high used as an elementary school. Instead, the school has received $21 million, originally intended for DeAnza, and will be renovated.

El Portal is closing.

There will be a $341 million deficit in funding recommended projects, so two more bond measures are being considered.

Outreach Committee- Duane Chapman

In December, Mr. Chapman and Susan Keeffe met. The mission of this committee is to let the community know about the CAC because the community as a whole does not know that the CAC exists. Each committee member and CAC member needs to take responsibility for schools in our district, so that each school has a contact person and someone talks with the principal at each school.

Steve Collins said that he sent more information home this month about the CAC. He plans on sending the agendas to each principal every month rather than sending a meeting schedule at the beginning of the year.

Duane Chapman said there are many places we can get the information out such as free newspapers and church postings. Barbara Large said that people need to know what goes on at the CAC meetings before they might choose to come or not; the meetings might not be of interest to all. However, people should be aware of the various training workshops that are happening.

Tom Florin said that he spoke with the NAACP and Reverend Lawson who is very interested about outreach to the church. Several people expressed a willingness to post information about the CAC on bulletin boards, especially in Hercules and Pinole. As parents, we can also go to city council meetings.

Steve Collins stated that the brochure made by the CAC could be revised by the Outreach Committee and used to hand out at events.

Duane Chapman suggested that all members go to the February 26th School Board meeting, bringing our kids and speaking to the Board and attendees about the special needs community and the CAC.

Barbara Chriss cautioned that we shouldn’t approach the Board in a confrontational manner. The Outreach committee ideas are good; the ideas should be prioritized.

Sharon Sanger said that there are 800 students at Cameron school and each family gets a flyer about the CAC, but few come to meetings. Personal contacts are most important.

Barbara Large suggested putting on our flyers: “if you have a question or need a ride, please call,” and then leave an appropriate number and/or contact person.

Tom Florin also suggested that during Open House, CAC members could stay behind in the classroom and discuss the CAC.

Duane Chapman mentioned that he had spoken with individuals who plan to give money to the CAC.

Transportation Committee- Jeanette Lambert

She said that Laidlaw has a huge job and transportation is going very well this year. Through LifeTouch photography service, which contracts with the District, there are pictures of the children who ride a particular bus. This will be especially helpful when there are substitute drivers and is good for nonverbal kids. The cards can make placement suggestions so that the driver can keep an eye on certain children. The cards will be redone so that there is more information about each child. LifeTouch generates the pictures on a CD; you can download the pictures onto a bussing card.

Steve Collins pointed out that transportation to a school placement site that is outside of your neighborhood school is an entitlement- it must be guaranteed by the District. However, many of the children riding a bus are not entitled to transportation. If they live within an attendance area and can walk, they should. Darlene Jones and others are tracing the bussing situation to find out which students are not actually entitled to the bus service they receive. In addition, more schools will have OT’s on site so that the high number of students who must be bussed to OT (currently 125) will eventually be reduced.

Duane Chapman stated that you could get Medi-Cal to reimburse the District for some bussing. Is the Medi-Cal committee looking into grants? Mr. Collins said that you don’t need a grant if it is an entitlement. Medi-Cal does provide extra services for medically fragile students.

Regional Center Follow-up:

Carmen Cruz said that thanks to Tom Florin bringing Pam Thomas to the CAC meeting’s presentation by the Regional Center, her son Justin will be analyzed by a behavioral panel from the Regional Center. Barbara Large said that thanks to interaction with Pam Thomas, the RC is working on vendorizing the Strawberry Canyon Summer Camp for children with Aspergers and high-functioning Autism. Tom Florin pointed out that the RC executive director is following developments closely.

NEW BUSINESS:

Cameron School Celebrates Dr. Seuss’ Birthday:

Sharon Sanger announced that through grants, Cameron school has created a lending library. Every child can take a book home; if they bring it back, their parents can fill out a reading record. The record shows that the Cameron School population has read over 2,000 books. On March 10th and 11th, the school will celebrate Dr. Seuss’ Birthday by having volunteers read “Green Eggs and Ham”. All rooms will have activities and every child will leave with a Dr. Seuss book. Children who are seen off-site will also be invited to attend. Readers, cooks (for making green eggs and ham!) and helpers for the craft projects will be needed.

Membership:

Steve Collins explained that at the April meeting, the CAC would accept nominations for new members and for any two-year member who would like to join for another two years. He will send out a list of current members with renewal dates. At the May meeting, we will vote on members for the following year.

By-Laws:

Joy Deaver stated that at the last meeting, there was a question as to whether the by-laws need changing. Duane Chapman made a motion to set up a committee to review the current by-laws to see if we want to go forward and write new by-laws or amend the current ones. There was no second to the motion.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

1. Kathy Roehl thanked Darlene Jones for arranging it that she attend the first committee meeting addressing the algebra requirement for students in special education, and expressed an interest in continuing to attend. Darlene Jones said that she would inform Ms. Roehl about future meetings.

2. Carmen Cruz stated that her son was in a privately owned group home, which is paid for by the regional center at a cost $5000/month. She felt that the staff did nothing for the kids and said it was important for parents to know what to expect of services. Susan Keeffe suggested that the CAC invite someone from Regional Center or ABC, which contracts with a number of group homes, to address these issues. Tom Florin said the Regional Center could come and talk about living options from the 18-22 year olds and independent living possibilities.

The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Roehl

CAC secretary