4/26/2019
The ISVI Advisory Council met on Friday, April 26, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. in the basement of Unit 2. In attendance were the following: Assistant Superintendent Sheila Stephens; Chairperson Olaya Landa Vialand; Vice Chair Mark Peters, Councilperson Sue Brosmith and Executive Secretary Deb Buchanan. Attending via conference call were DHS Director of Division of Rehabilitation Quinetta Wade and Council person Jess Rogers. Absent was Superintendent Serena Preston who was out of town at a business meeting with APH; Councilpersons Arlana Henley and John Thien. Mayor Ezard who had originally planned to attend was unable to.
The meeting began with Chairperson Olaya Landa-Vialand starting the meeting out by saying she was glad to be back out socially after her husband's passing. She thanks Vice Chair Peters for taking over for her and doing such a great job. Chairperson Olaya Landa Vialand called for introductions which was done.
Chairperson Olaya Landa Vialand asked for a move to accept the minutes. Motion made by Mark Peters, seconded by Jess Rogers. All in favor and motion carried.
Chairperson Olaya Landa Vialand asked the group if there were any conflicts of interest. There were none.
Assistant Superintendent Sheila Stephens gave reports. She said there was no Student Council report to share today as we did not receive one. I do know they are working on getting some buddy benches. AS Stephens explained that buddy benches are for students feeling alone if they sit on the bench a friend will join them and let them know there is always someone to talk to. This is probably their biggest project. AS Stephens explained that this project was born out of an ASL class at ISD where they suffered a student loss last year and students here were close to her.
Moving onto the Superintendent's report AS Stephens said she did not have a formal report but members were provided a copy of the Administrative Council reports. She said Director of Admissions has a new worker Starr Lippincott who replaces Cindy Daugherty who recently retired. Cindy did Admissions/Intake and Starr has started in that position and Cindy is working with her to train her and Starr is quickly picking up on her responsibility. She said they provided transcripts to prior students, and had four tours in March, four for April. AS Stephens explained a tour was when a potential student and their family comes they take the students and family all over campus, they meet with Low Vision Coordinator and others. She said we are closing in on 15 new students this year. She said we will be losing two that are aging out with good transition plans. Four will graduate, three are returning and one is still deciding. I don't expect many more than that. Michelle Clark is Outreach and works closely with Starr and attending ROE meetings to provide information about ISVI. She said the accrediting group suggested more people need to know about ISVI. She explained that's where we got the name for this year's camp theme, "Hidden Gem". The Business and IT Departments biggest project they are working on is the WiFi project. Chairperson Olaya Landa Vialand said it was a civil right's issue that these kids don't have that, she was glad to hear we were working on it. AS Stephens said they are working on it but you should direct questions to Serena since she had not been involved in the project. Dietary staff changes. Some left, some transferred to different departments, new staff coming in and some transferring in. AS Stephens said we are preparing for prom this weekend and Opening Doors and Summer Camp, that this is a busy time of the year. AS Stephens told the group that ISVI won the State Title for Wrestling this year, first in ISVI history. The swim conference in Indiana was cancelled because of pool issues. Graduation is May 24 at 9:30 a.m. and will be held in the auditorium. Four students will graduate. AS Stephens said she is always amazed with the Health Center's report by how many meds they administer and the services they provide. She said it seems they do double the work in half the time. She said their greatest focus recently is the flu going around, otherwise things are routine there. She said they are working with behavioral health agencies in absence of social services as well as Dr. Lori McKenzie, Clinical Psychologist. She said Cyndi is overseeing these services. Chairperson Landa Vialand asked if it was pro bono. AS Stephens explained they see each student one on one and they are billed like anywhere else. Councilman Rogers was curious with so much news about the measles if everyone is vaccinated. AS Stephens replied that there were no issues here in relation to the measles vaccine. She said Nurse Spreen stays on top of compliance and keep us in check. I guarantee we would know if there were any concerns or students not in compliance. Prom's theme this year is "Beach" and to see Aimee's email for instructions depending upon weather. AS Stephens said Housekeeping and Maintenance are preparing for a lot of renovation projects updating buildings. She said they would like to see the roof done on Bldg 17 but trying to plan when students are gone. Another project they will start after graduation is replacing the ramp and all entries around the Main Building will be addressed. There will be new steps in front. These projects will be lengthy. She said we have met with contractors and they understand our safety concerns and keeping things safe. She said it might be inconvenient for campers but it's for a good cause. AS Stephens said Outreach had their annual conferences. The Northern Conference was cancelled due to low attendance however the Southern Conference was very well attended. She explained it was a conference for parents of visually impaired children and professionals. She said they host sessions focusing on social skills, low vision, residential services and transition services and also host a question and answer session. Chairperson Landa Vialand asked to be put on the mailing list. She has the ability to put it out to parents she works with. She said she works with bilingual parents and could pull them in. AS Stephens said it's hard to know sometimes how to get information out. She said she would tell Michelle Clark to put Chairperson Landa Vialand on the mailing list. Chairperson Landa Vialand said it was her job to get families engaged and especially bilingual families and she could definitely help. AS Superintendent Stephens said that the Northern Conference was cancelled, but the Southern Conference had good numbers, she thought 17 families were served and they provided great feedback and were looking forward to next year. AS Stephens said Michelle Clark also worked closely with Opening Doors and will soon be the Director of Opening Doors. She said Aimee Veith has managed that for some time and they have worked together but will gradually go to Michelle Clark. AS Stephens stated the Personnel report indicates 15 full time vacancies. Two are Social Workers, seven in education with one waiting for interviews. We are hoping to reduce the number needed in education this year. We have a new O&M Specialist, Michael Foster. Michael was an RCW so he already knew the students. He took an educational leave to receive his O&M certification and he started February 1. Kids are excited to have him and we are too, he is doing a good job. AS Stephens said we still have an opening for Dietary Manager. Four RCW's vacancies are moving forward with hiring within the next few weeks. We are in the middle of Ethics Training which ends May 9th. Councilmember Peters asked about the one educator being filled. AS Stephens said it was in TLC. AS Stephens said she had a report from Reuel Wright, who oversees our records. He does our annual reporting. She said we completed our state required mandated testing which is always a big task to get done on time. We just passed the midterm of 4th quarter but May is quickly approaching with five Mondays left. AS Stephens said Malinda Pollard's Residential report indicates the department provided training during spring break. She said there was no power on campus. We were getting a new generator put into play. For those three days no staff were allowed on campus. We had to make special arrangements to keep the food cold, Jessica VanRee and Rich Gebhardt worked hard on that. We had training opportunities in the Media Center at ISD. Employees had the opportunity to get training and continue working. They were great trainings. Residential had mandatory in-service training for RCWs. She said Tiena Kidd is our new Recreational Director and she's doing a great job getting some activities for students. Girls in White Satin will be on campus to help get students ready and fit tuxes. John's Cosmetology School is helping with hair and makeup. AS Stephens said the IT Department was very busy preparing computers in advance of the power outage. She said they worked very hard on that. We have Kolleen Miller who is the lead IT person and Derek Eddy who is new to us. They were busy all day every day. Kolleen's report is always the longest. AS Stephens said Barbi Ballard is our new Vocational Principal. David Miller left the end of February. Barbi Ballard joined us in June of last year and they worked side by side. She said the IEP team is working with IT to make videoconferencing an option for families who cannot attend an IEP in person. The Perkins grant is spent and CTE grants are dwindling down as purchases are being made. Barbi Ballard and Julie Evans are working hard on Summer Camp. May is a big month for student, staff, and junior ambassador applications. Barbi Ballard and Aimee Veith have been busy with that. Chairperson Landa Vialand talked about a program through ISRC - Illinois Service Resource Center. They provide books to professionals, the professionals provide a list of books they would like access to ISRC who purchases the books and lends them out to educators. AS Stephens asked if their focus was only on books as resources. Chairperson Landa Vialand said no they have some technology but they are not tech heavy. Chairperson Landa Vialand said TSVBL has things you can't get on APH like guide books and nemesis. She said ISRC purchases books you want and you can borrow them freeing up more money for other things.
Moving on, AS Stephens said one educator that retired was Brenda Christian and Jason Crotchett has temporarily filled that position. Jason recently completed his education and is filling this position until the summer. Jasmine Wells is our new Low Vision Coordinator and she will be working with Pearson on making sure tests are accessible to our students as much as possible. Jasmine will be traveling to New Mexico to work with that committee. We are excited she can that.
DHS Report: DRS Director Quinetta Wade told the group that DHS has a new Secretary, Grace Hou and the rest of the executive details are in transition. She said her time as Director will end May 20th. Rahnee Patrick will take over. She said they recently had a Bureau of Blind Services statewide meeting at the ICRE Center where they are working to build sensory gardens.
Director Wade said other things going on in the field Midwest State Services and Federal Council for the Blind in Illinois continuing discussions how you establish referral to transition if students have BRS Services. We have students in our schools and BBS to provide pre-employment services for students. We are trying to be sure we are reaching as many transition students as possible. Chairperson Land Vialand trying to reach transition students, if you have information and any other things, I can try to reach a lot more kids, send the information to me. Director Wade said schools have already partnered with us, any transition students can reach out to us. We have services we are trying to get out, some people have no idea. Director Wade told Chairperson Landa Vialand she could give her a list of providers we are working with. All I have are transition and we are seeing some good numbers started July 1. Just trying to get word out mostly. She said there is an opportunity that we can reach out to students prior to becoming DHS customer using community offices to do an outreach. They may have a 504 plan but maybe don't have an IEP, someone a school thinks that could benefit, don't have to be a 100% customer. AS Superintendent Stephens said she wanted to add that we are sorry to see you go. She told Director Wade that she had been a great support to her working in both schools. We will miss you.
AS Stephens said Education Principal Aimee Veith was unable to be here due to family obligations and we are pretty short-handed on staff in the building. There is no Parent Association Report.
OLD BUSINESS:
Professional Library for Teachers: Chairperson Landa Vialand discussed the library. She said it gives teacher access to borrow books and access to newer technology and education than buying them, freeing money up for other things. She said a list from teachers of what would be helpful is needed. She said they have revamped for new O&M assessments and 0-3. She said the WiFi issue had already been discussed. Chairperson Landa Vialand discussed the LVB program at ISU. She said they are working on an online program for TVI's. AS Stephens said they recently attended a Council for the Blind IAER Conference in February and they discussed the critical shortage of TVI's across the nation. They are getting creative. It will be exciting to get something closer to home.
Advisory Council members: Chairperson Landa Vialand said AS Stephens shared with her that we need to replace a parent council person on the Advisory Council. An invitation to parents will be extended. AS Stephens said no parents have responded with letters of interest, invitations will be sent out. She said the deadline for responding will probably be the middle of June to get them ready. Hope to have some ready for July and we can discuss it at the July meeting.
A motion by Sue Brosmith and second by Mark Peters established the following meeting dates for the following year: October 25, 2019; January 24, 2020; April 24, 2020 and July 24, 2020.
Councilman Jess Rogers reported on behalf of the Blind Vendor's organization. He said there was not a lot going on. He said they are still working two years now on getting a mentor program or on the job training for kids with vendors at the school. He said Modesto does not have things put together, it's just a matter of when it's on his list. Other than that he said they just had a conference last weekend, nothing really new came out of that. Will be picking a date for the annual Christmas party. We need suggestions for what we can buy them because last year there was some controversy. Last year we got some gaming consoles but not everyone can use them. We need something more politically correct. He said he didn't think about some kids not being able to use them. AS Stephens said she would be happy to work with Student Council to come up with a list to share with you. There was discussion concerning IPhone apps for the blind and whether they might work with Xbox. Councilman Rogers also asked about any equipment in the teen center that might need repaired. AS Stephens said she would research that and send an email. Councilman Rogers said he has suggested they have another meeting with Illinois Committee of Blind Vendors to see if kids are interested if they come out of school because we would like to recruit some. AS Stephens said she would share that information with Aimee Veith and Barbi Ballard.
Vice Chair Mark Peters said the Alumni had nothing new to share. Councilman Rogers told Vice Chair Peters he would recommend an email update because a lot of folks that might have attended were unaware of it. Vice Chair Peters said a lot of invitations did go out but many came back because addresses were no longer valid. Chairperson Landa Vialand suggested they try email.
A motion was made by Vice Chair Peters and seconded by Councilwoman Brosmith to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried, the meeting adjourned at 11:25 a.m.
