WASHINGTON STATE SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 

Minutes from Board of Trustees Meeting

June 2, 2017

Vancouver, Washington

 

 

Board Members Participating:  Dennis Mathews, Berl Colley, Michelle Farrell, Keri Clark, Yang-su Cho, Cindy Bennett, Lorna Walsh, Ed Snook and Nancy McDaniel.

 

Board Members Absent:  Jim Kemp

 

Ex-Officio Members Participating:  Corey Grandstaff (Washington Federation of State Employees Local #1225), Denise Colley (Washington Council of the Blind), Vaughn Brown (Teacher Representative), Marci Carpenter (National Federation of the Blind of Washington), and Lilly Longshore (Parent Representative).

 

WSSB Staff Members Participating:  Mr. Scott McCallum (Superintendent), Sean McCormick (Director of On Campus Programs), and Janet Kurz (recording secretary).

 

June 2, 2017 – 11:35am-12:30pm                                              

Dennis called the meeting to order at 11:35am. 

 

Business Meeting:

Old Business:

*      Approve board meeting minutes of May 4, 2017.  Lorna moved to approve the minutes as submitted; Berl seconded the motion.  The minutes were approved unanimously.

 

New Business:

 

Board Compensation: 

Scott reported that our Director of Business and Finance, Mary Sarate, brought to his attention that the WSSB has been using the wrong compensation formula when reimbursing Board of Trustees members for travel.  The guidelines are set forth in the State’s Administrative and Accounting Manual (SAAM).  This will mean that the Board will be reimbursed for travel at a lesser rate beginning July 1, 2017.  Scott encouraged the Board to let us know if there are any financial burdens or challenges with this.  Dennis asked if transportation, i.e. Amtrak, flights, etc. is reimbursed in addition to the per diem rates.  Scott said yes.  Dennis asked Janet to include the explanation in the meeting minutes (listed below). 

 

As of July 1, 2017, the WSSB will be reimbursing the Board of Trustees/Ex-Officios as follows (refer to SAAM Manual – 10.70 Boards, Commissions, or Committees):  According to the SAAM manual, section 10.70.20b:  For allowable meal and lodging expenses in non-high cost areas of the Continental USA, reimburse at the hourly, non-high cost per diem rate displayed in Subsection 10.90.20 for each hour spent in going to a meeting, attendance at a meeting and returning from the meeting.  Members will use form A20-2A.  The reimbursement rate for lodging, meals, and privately-owned vehicle mileage is calculated at the non high-cost per diem rate as follows:  hourly rate = $142.00/24 hours = $5.92 per hour; privately owned vehicle (POV) mileage rate = $0.535/mile.  In addition, board members will be reimbursed for train or Amtrak expenses as submitted.  Currently, the board has been reimbursed as a state employee at $8.96 per hour (meals and lodging); this will change to $5.92 per hour.

 

Superintendent’s Report

Scott reviewed the following: 

*      Scott stated that today’s commencement ceremony was a highlight.

*      Two Washington State Health inspectors visited the WSSB’s facilities and health center and all went well.  There were no infractions noted and there were several recommendations that were shared with staff that will be implemented.   

*      Scott was asked to host a listening session with the education and residential staff.  Scott’s intent was to listen to staff without their supervisor present.  It was intended to be an open forum for comments and feedback.  Scott felt this was very worthwhile and plans to hold quarterly ‘listening sessions’ with all staff during the next school year.  Scott will also be meeting with the Outreach department in June.

*      Scott attended the Pacific Northwest Association of the Education and Rehabilitation for the Blind and Visually Impaired (PNWAER) conference in Bellingham.  Scott spent time with Emily Coleman (Director of Outreach-WSSB/Statewide Vision Consultant for the Washington Sensory Disability Services (WSDS)), Brent Stark, Director of the WSDS, and staff from the Stephen F. Austin University (SFAU).  SFAU will be providing a teacher training program funded through the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).  Emily has been the point of contact for teachers who wish to enroll in the SFAU program as well as creating a rubric, reviewing candidate applications, etc.  In conjunction with this, a part time position was created that will be jointly funded by WSSB and WSDS to provide a mentor for the participants in the program.  WSSB Outreach Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI), Pam Parker, applied for and received the position.  Pam is currently completing her administrative certificate.  Pam will also serve as a mentor for WSSB Outreach TVI staff who are new to the department.    

*      As previously reported, the Office of Civil Rights presented the WSSB with an official complaint regarding the accessibility of our website.  The WSSB was one of many organizations who received a similar notice.  Danya Borowski, WSSB’s IT Manager is continuing to work through the process to bring the WSSB into compliance. 

*      Yang-su asked if the Portland State University (PSU) TVI program was negatively impacted with the start of the SFAU program.  Scott said that he works closely with the PSU lead, Holly Lawson, and felt that the relationship and collaboration with PSU continues to be very positive. 

 

Election of Officers

*      Nancy nominated Dennis as Chairman of the Board; Lorna seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 

*      Lorna nominated Nancy as Vice Chair; Ed seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously. 

 

Committee Assignments

*      Education Committee:  Chair-Michelle Farrell; members Yang-su Cho, Dennis Mathews, Cindy Bennett

*      Buildings and Grounds Committee:  Chair-Nancy McDaniel; members Lorna Walsh

*      Management Committee:  Co-Chairs-Ed Snook and Lorna Walsh; members Dennis Mathews

*      Legislative Committee:  Chair-Berl Colley; members Marci Carpenter, Lorna Walsh

 

Ex-Officio’s Reports:

*      WFSE Local #1225 (Corey Grandstaff):

·         N/A

*      Washington Council of the Blind (Denise Colley):

·         Denise reported that the national convention will be held June 30-July 7 in Sparks, Nevada.

·         The state convention will be held the last weekend in October at the Pasco Red Lion.

·         Scholarship information will be posted on their website very soon.  There are no set amounts for the scholarships; the WCB reviews the amount of money they have available to issue and then determine how many will qualify.  Denise believes that the deadline will be approximately August 15. 

·         The WCB is soliciting one-minute video clips from their members and others who want to tell a story.  These will be posted on their website and Facebook page. 

*      National Federation of the Blind (Marci Carpenter):

·         Marci reported that the NFB of Washington has a scholarship program.  The scholarship application will be posted on their website soon and the deadline is September 22.  Scholarships will be awarded at their fall convention, which will be held in Olympia on November 3-5.  Two scholarships will be awarded ($2,000 and $3,000).

*      Parent Representative (Lilly Longshore):

·         Lilly had an informational table set up at the Track Meet in May regarding the startup of a “Parent Group”.  Janet forwarded the information to the Board that included a link for an online conference service “Zoom” whereby parents can join the meeting from any location.  The next meeting is June 6.  Scott directed several parents to the table at the track meet and suggested we put a sign on the table next year. Keri shared the information through a parent-related Facebook page and had a good response. Keri complimented Lilly for making this happen and felt it would be part of Lilly’s legacy during her tenure on the Board. Michelle suggested that the information also be sent out on the EVE listserv. Yang-su shared the email with the Department of Services for the Blind Transition Specialists and they were excited to have this opportunity. Scott stated there are several summer programs occurring at the WSSB in the next several months and we can share the information with participants. 

*      Teachers Representative (Vaughn Brown):

·         Vaughn reported that the WSSB spring concert went very well. 

·         Vaughn reported that that the teachers have continued to inquire about the possibility of the WSSB adding an elementary program and he would like to have this put on a future agenda.  Lilly said she supports this and as a parent and feels it is imperative to have an elementary program for BVI children. 

 

Recognition

*      Scott handed out certificates of appreciation honoring the Board for their time given to the school. 

*      Scott presented a plaque of appreciation to Lilly Longshore for her years of service as parent representative on the board.

 

Miscellaneous:

*      Dennis stated that he appreciated the opportunity to be the Chairman of the Board this past school year and thanked the Board for their support and confidence in him. 

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12:20pm.  The next Board meeting will be held on September 22 at 11am.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Dennis Mathews, Chair                                                                Scott McCallum, Superintendent

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

Board Reports – June 2017

 

Outreach

 

We are about to wrap up another excellent school year serving students statewide who are blind or visually impaired (BVI).  I continue to be impressed by our staff and our students. The following is a small sample of our team’s efforts:

 

-          On March 15, our Outreach team and our collaborative work with Washington Sensory Disabilities Services (WSDS) was highlighted at the Special Education Director’s meeting in Anacortes at ESD 189.

-          The following day, March 16, the same conversation was had in Tumwater at ESD 113 with their Special Education Directors.

-          March 23-25 was the annual Pacific Northwest Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of Blind and Visually Impaired Conference (PNWAER) held in Bellingham, WA.  All but one of our Outreach teachers attended and so did one of our braillists. We also had multiple staff presenting and demonstrating effective strategies they had implemented themselves.

-          In March, two of our braillists attended the California Transcribers and Educators for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CTEBVI) conference in California, which was partially funded by grants from the Pacific Foundation for Blind Children (PFBC).

-          WSDS met in March and April and we continue to work closely with the Center for Childhood Deafness and Hearing Loss (CDHL) and the Deaf-Blind Project.  Most importantly, our partnership has created a Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) cohort with Stephen F. Austin University that will produce at least nine new TVIs for Washington.

-          Our Spokane TVI has successfully coordinated two events in partnership with the WA Talking Book and Braille Library (WTBBL) and the NW Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA).

-          Many of our teachers continue to partner with the Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) to provide expanded core curriculum events outside of school.

-          May 3-5 was the Council of Schools for the Blind (COSB) Annual Outreach Forum in Colorado Springs at the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind.  Twenty (20) states were represented and information was gleaned from each of them.

-          May has had many caseload meetings to determine numbers for next year.  One of the greatest areas of need is Northwest Washington, ESD 189, and we are working closely with school districts in that area to meet the needs of kids.

 

We are continuing to identify, evaluate, and provide services to students. Our team is cohesive and collaborative and we enjoy learning from each other and working together regularly. At every site visit and observation, I am grateful for our exceptional, dedicated staff.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

On Campus

 

Enrollment

53 Students On-Campus

7 Distance Learning Students 

2 Vancouver School District Part-Day Program Students

30 Short Course Participants Year-To-Date

Total Students Served On Campus (YTD):  92

 

Residential Update

The residential program is continuing to develop ways to enhance student experiences with independent living skill development.  A short-term residential program for day students is being offered to students who would benefit from an immersive independent skill instruction.  A couple of students began participating this spring for a 30-day, goal-oriented, stay in the cottage. This program will continue in the fall in conjunction with IEP goals and enhancing skills. 

 

Daily Living Skills (DLS) cooking in the cottage is going strong with students managing a cottage weekly budget, shopping for weekly meal ingredients, and preparing the planned meal.  In addition to the weekly programs for students in the cottage, independent living skills assessments are being conducted in the cottage to support data collection through routines in a natural environment. 

 

The recreation and residential department collaborated with NWABA on a tandem, paddle boarding, and BBQ evening at Vancouver Lake on May 22.  All residential students and staff attended the event to celebrate the end of the year.

 

In the fall, staff will begin training through the Culture of Care program specializing in supporting youth in residential programs.  Culture of Care will support a common language, philosophy, and compassionate approach for students specifically in residential schools. 

 

School Improvements

Last school year’s accreditation process through AdvancED included the development of a multi-year school improvement plan.  The school gathered input from internal and external stakeholders on areas of success and areas in need of growth. Some key areas included:

 

·         WSSB will improve the school environment to allow for a focus on improved student achievement.  (School Culture)

·         Students will increase proficiency in English Language Arts and Mathematics. (Academic Achievement)

·         Students will demonstrate consistent growth in the expanded core curricular skill areas. (Essential Skill Development for BVI)

Support for these areas through a variety of actions this school year in the day and residential programs have made a positive impact on the lives of students at WSSB.  Highlights of new and continuing programs at WSSB:

 

·         Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS)

·         Common academic assessments using MAP

·         Short Course Program offering a focus on expanded core curricular

·         Professional Learning Communities for teachers

·         Weekly student assemblies with PRIDE awards

·         Career Fair

·         Braille Challenge

·         Transition development partnerships (Partners in Career, DSB, Seattle U.)

·         Annual community events (Lion’s Track Meet, Lion’s Swim Meet)

·         Sports (Goalball, Powerlifting)

·         Camp Magruder

·         Expanded Core Curricular Friday block scheduling

·         Tech 4 U 1:1 student technology initiative w/ iPads and laptops

·         High School Prom

·         Regular study hall

·         On Campus vision statement development

·         Recreation activities (skiing, archery, fencing, tandem, etc.)

Mention Worthy

This school year has been an incredible journey with changes that have been met with optimism.  The support of the teachers through their collaboration and commitment is unparalleled.  WSSB is proud to welcome Jeff Bowler as our new Short Course Teacher and Orientation & Mobility instructor.  He comes to us with a wealth of knowledge from a variety of education and non-education experiences.  Jeff was a long-term sub in WSSB Outreach during the fall of 2016. 

 

There are many outstanding staff at WSSB that all have a strong focus for supporting students.  The students at the school make WSSB worth coming to for staff and students.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

Transition Services

 

Youth Services Specialist

The WSSB Youth Services Specialist has provided support in the implementation of the Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) funded contract with Partners in Careers (PIC) pilot project. PIC has provided weekly soft skills training, supported internships/job shadows and four integrated community career focused events for 11 WSSB seniors since February 1, 2017.  Two out-of-school DSB clients are now receiving services from PIC as well.  Marcie continues to participate in the CCTS Transition Learning Community leadership team.  The team’s focus is to increase work based learning opportunities for WSSB students.  She facilitates a weekly Job Club – with four out-of-school DSB clients.  She participated on the WSSB Career Fair planning committee and provided support for the high school students experience at the Portland WorkForce Alliance NW Youth Career Expo.  As the Youth Services Specialist, Marcie is currently involved in all aspects of the planning of the YES 1 and SKILLS Vancouver summer programs.

 

Marcie attends networking meetings with WorkForce South West Washington’s (WSW) Youth Providers, WSW’s Emerging Workforce Committee and WorkSource’s Business Partner Outreach in order to gain information about local employment services/programs and highlight the importance of making these services accessible.  She, and the three Youth Services Specialists from DSB, made a presentation about pre-employment training services available around the state at the PNWAER Conference in March 2017.  She attended training to become certified in the interpretation of World of Work Inventory results (used frequently by DSB) and has begun working with students in the development of their Career Cruising (newly purchased career focused software) plans.

 

Health Center Update

The health center has reviewed updated the disaster bag contents. Eleven bags are located on campus:

Irwin Admin office, Irwin TA office, Learning Independence for Today and Tomorrow (LIFTT), Health Center, Watson, Clark, Hall and Chapman cottages, Kennedy, ORC and Superintendents office.

 

The health center has prepared an updated medication administration policy, awaiting official approval, and has a goal to review and update all other policies and procedures by the school year end. All other medical policies are currently being reviewed and will be re-written if needed.

 

The Health Center is hosting nursing students from Clark College, WSU-Vancouver and University of Portland.  These nursing students will be given a specific project that will benefit the health center.

 

Health Center nurses and fitness teacher Jennifer Butcher are certified to teach students and staff CPR and first aid.  Approximately 75% of WSSB staff are certified to perform CPR and first aid.  Nurses Robin, Justine and fitness teacher Jen have switched from American Heart Association to American Health and Safety Institute for CPR instruction. ASHI is less expensive for the school.

 

Nurses will create more accessible emergency care plans in June for use next school year.

 

LIFTT

LIFTT students are in the final month of the program year and are focused on their next steps – finishing up meeting their goals, securing living arrangements, continuation of training and certification testing.

 

Three students have participated in post-secondary training, three students have participated in the Oregon Commission for the Blind Center training, one student has been active in volunteering and learning work skills, and one student is working with a program funded to provide work related training and will do a paid internship this summer with the intention that it will lead to employment at the conclusion.

 

All students have been active participants in the training and activities that are part of the LIFTT curriculum. They have achieved independence in community travel, meal planning and preparation, household care, financial and time management, and additional skills unique to their own needs.

 

New applications for the 2017-18 program year are beginning to arrive, and we look forward to a new group of participants in the fall.

 

Chris Trachi, a longtime WSSB and LIFTT staff member is retiring in June. She has been with the LIFTT program for many years and will be missed. Libby Pitts, currently a Residential Life Counselor (RLC), will be taking her position in the fall. We look forward to working with Libby, she will hit the ground running as she has worked in the LIFTT program previously.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

Business Office

 

1.      2015-17 Operating Budget

We closed the month of April with a 5% variance.  Costs for the Learning Independence for Today and Tomorrow (LIFTT) program were shifted to 19B mid-year to ensure General Fund was not overspent.

 

In Fund 19B to date, revenues are keeping up with expenditures.  We ended April with a 6% variance.  Balance ending April 2017 was $1,401,056.

 

2.      2015-17 Capital Budget

        Our request to re-appropriate $117,000 of funding from this biennium to 2017-19 is so far still in the proposed 2017-19 capital budget.

 

3.      2017 Supplemental Budget

        Our request for supplemental funding for Attorney General fees ($53K) and increase local spending authority (19B) are also still in the proposed budget.

 

4.      2017-19 Biennium

        As you know, the legislature is still session.  The Senate and House budgets have significant differences with the Senate proposal being the most favorable to the school.

 

5.      Safety Net

        We submitted an application for three one-on-one students totaling $148,106.  The hearings are scheduled for June 20-21, 2017.

 

6.      Year-end and Biennium Close

        We will be working on the usual closeout activities to close out the year as well as the biennium:

·         Continue to closely monitor and track current year expenditures

·         Year-end processing on various levels (Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, Disclosure forms, Capital Asset Management report)

·         Close out various grants and submit final reimbursements

·         Prepare client service, facility use, and tuition contracts

·         Records storage and set-up of vendor files for new biennium

·         2017 Supplemental allotments due late May

·         2017-19 allotments

·         2017-19 Allotment Instructions should be published in late May with allotments due August 3

·         Instructions for 2018 Supplemental requests published mid-August

·         Recast of activity inventory for 2017-19 Enacted Budget due September 17

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

Human Resources

 

New Hires:  

·         Communications Consultant (Braille Proofreader) – Adrienne Lattin

·         Short Course TVI – Jeff Bowler

·         Temporary TVI – Krista Bulger

·         Substitute Teacher – Joe Clark

 

Open Recruitments:

·         On-call Residential Life Counselor (RLC)

·         On-call Teacher’s Assistant (TA)

·         On-call Custodian

·         Substitute Teacher

 

Trainings/Functions Attended:

·         Human Resources Managers Meeting – Facilitated by Franklin Plaistowe and Marcos Rodriguez

·         Labor Relations Roundtable – Facilitated by Office of Financial Management (OFM)

·         Safety Committee Meeting

·         Budget Workshop – Instructed by Sam Knutson

·         Career Fair – Sponsored by Washington School Personnel  Association (WSPA)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

Ogden Resource Center (ORC)

 

Braille Production:

Adrienne Lattin and Mike Sivill are a dynamic duo for proofreading and they have caught up with the backlog of proofreading stemming back to the Unified English Braille (UEB) transition in 2015. They are ready for the 2017-2018 textbooks to start rolling in.

 

Washington Corrections Center for Women (WCCW) Partnership:

Thanks to a strong partnership between Correctional Industries and the ORC, we advocated for an extension of the 7-year rotation term limits and have been granted an additional 7 years to implement our rotation with our most senior transcribers. Training is underway to assure that when long-time transcribers rotate out of the program, there are new mentors in the group to help new transcribers.

 

UEB Exam:

The new UEB Exam (replacing the B.L.U.E.) is ready and people are taking the exam. Mike Sivill worked extremely hard to create this competency exam. The application is available at https://www.wssb.wa.gov/wp/departments/orc/. Study materials are currently being assembled for the exam to help people prepare.

 

Instructional Resource Center (IRC) Update:

The ORC is in a holding pattern and only purchasing direct curriculum support and assessment materials at this time from the American Printing House for the Blind (APH). Once the 2017 Federal funds are released, we hope to offer more materials.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

Buildings and Grounds

 

Campus

Volunteers with the Sherwin Williams Company completed painting the boiler house. This was a service project promoted and funded by their company. Approximately ten sales personnel and two professional painters arrived at 10am on a Friday, masked off and began painting right after the students left for the weekend. They completed the job by 2pm.

 

The sewer line problem continues on the to do list. The City would not allow us to sleeve the exiting line as they determined there were too many low spots to insure flow. Using the job order contractor from Olympia, we had six test holes dug behind Clarke and Watson cottages to locate utilities and establish a slope path that will meet our needs. We are still waiting for pricing on the new route.

 

The state carpet contractor was able to remove and replace the cafeteria flooring and change the vinyl in three of the third floor bathrooms. They returned after the track meet and replaced the front entry carpeting in Old Main.

 

We completed recertification training for operating a commercial swimming pool. This two-day class was offered to WSSB free of charge in exchange for using the fitness center classroom as a venue. Certification is good for five years and reduces our permit fee by approximately $100 each year.

 

County health department inspection of the pool went well and no areas of concern were noted.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

Birth-3

 

Current Performance Measures:

1.      Number of Birth to Three children identified as BVI as measured by the statewide registry by the end of June 2017:  As of May 17 (the time of the writing of this report), there are 265 children in the BVI Birth to 3 Registry, with 157 currently aged under the age of 3 years and 108 aged 3 years and older who exited out of Birth to 3 services during the years of 2016 and 2017.

2.      Percentage of B-3 BVI children receiving services “within 4 months of their diagnosis” (changed from “by 4 months of age”):  Washington State began participating in the Babies Count Project in March 2016. Currently we have a sample size of 32, which includes children who have exited from the program. According to the data analysis done in May 2017, the average age of diagnosis of a visual impairment is 9.8 months (national average is 10.6) and the average time between diagnosis and referral to services is 6.4 months (national average is 7.6 months). As Babies Count becomes more established in its data collection procedures, including accuracy of data reporting, it is hopeful that this information will continue to be more reliable. However, it is nice to see that WA is in alignment with national trends. 

 

The following activities have been completed this year:

 

Professional Development

Trainings conducted

1.      Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) Practice Guide for Infants and Toddlers with Sensory Disabilities at two Local Lead Agency (LLA) meetings (east and west).  Included updates on BVI/DHH registry information.

2.      Conducted trainings in Kitsap, Island, Walla Walla, and Chelan-Douglas counties.

 

Conference presentations

1.      PNW AER

a.       Optic Nerve Hypoplasia

b.      Reflective Supervision for TVIs

2.      Infants and Early Childhood Conference (IECC)

a.       Statewide Services for BVI/DHH/DB

b.      BVI Medical Conditions

3.  Western Regional Early Intervention Conference (planned for June 2017)

a.      Babies Count: First Year Results

b.      DeEtte also participated on the conference planning committee

 

Program Supports

·            ESIT Program

DeEtte has been very active in developing a positive partnership with the Washington State’s Lead Part C Agency called ESIT, which is part of the Department for Early Learning (DEL).  She has direct communication with ESIT through WSSB’s program consultant Adrienne O’Brien and through our yearly contract that helps support statewide technical assistance services. The primary focus of ESIT this year is their redesign project of which DeEtte has been active in as well.  She has attended all re-design workshops including the introduction of the plan submitted to the state legislation, the funding stakeholder group, and the development of state professional competencies. 

 

DeEtte attended all State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC) meetings this year, one county ICC meeting in Spokane County, and all the LLA meetings held both on the east side and west side of the state.  Attendance of these meetings are part of our collaboration with ESIT and assist in the statewide coordination for early intervention services.  Participation has really assisted in networking throughout the state and created many of the trainings or consultations conducted throughout the state.  DeEtte also sits on a sub-committee with ESIT SICC focused on professional development initiatives. She is on the ESIT Professional Competency workgroup, a small taskforce of 3 people to create the statewide framework.

·            Technical Assistance (TA) and consultations

          DeEtte provided technical assistance or consultations for 15 counties across the state this year. King, Snohomish, and Pierce have their own B-3 TVI/EIVIS, but she assists with referrals and first time consults when needed, especially the Pierce county TVI was on maternity leave.  King County needed assistance with VI services in one of their non-profit agencies. It appears that the SE part of the state is in the greatest need for services and are asking for assistance.  However, some areas of the SW and western portion are not referring even if they need it. These consultations resulted in 48 direct contacts with children and their families.   

·            Direct Service Contracts

          The B-3 Program at WSSB had 18 contracts for ongoing services from a B-3 TVI for about 30 kids across the state. This was a dramatic increase from last year.  Our designated Birth to 3 TVI, Cindy McAlexander, provides much of the services, however, 4 other TVIs from the Outreach Department have also provided Birth to 3 Services in their service areas, as well as both DeEtte and Emily Coleman.  Providing direct Birth to 3 Services has become a real team effort at WSSB!

·            Parent Infant Playgroup (PIP) Activities

          PIP activities continued this year with program occurring 2 times a month from September to May.   Parents of children with BVI in Clark County are invited to WSSB for a playgroup.  Activities are included for children (literacy based) and focus is on parent-to-parent support. We have seven families attending regularly.  During the summer months, we were able to plan “family field trips” including meeting at the park and a trip to the Children’s Museum in Portland. DeEtte also assisted a PIP program in the King County area in cooperation with the WTBBL and the King County B-3 TVI.  This group meeting one time a month and average attendance was about three families.

          In August 2016, WSSB with assistance from the PFBC held a Saturday Parent 2 Parent Workshop and invited families of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.  The topic was transition to preschool, but focused on transitions across the life span.  Nine families participated.  Another is planned for August 2017 with a topic of expanded core curriculum, which begins in early childhood, even in the home.

·            EIVIS Professional Learning Community

          This group is comprised of TVI’s who primarily serve the Birth to 3 population.  Their professional name is Early Intervention Vision Impairment Specialist.  We expanded this group this year to also include TVIs in the school district who also happen to serve Birth to 3 kids on their caseload.  This group provides mentorship and networking opportunities to VI professionals on Birth to 3 topics and issues. Currently about 20 vision professionals from around the state are invited to attend these meetings.  We met 6 times this year, both face to face and via online meeting tools.  In June 2017, 16 of us are going to attend the Western Regional Early Intervention Conference (WREIC) conference in Scottsdale AZ together.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

Superintendent

As I write this update for all of you, I find myself with just under two weeks left in my first year as Superintendent of WSSB.  It has been quite an honor to serve as the Superintendent.  I find myself excited for every new day. 

As always, a lot has been going on since we last met. In March, I successfully completed my lifeguard training so that I may help when needed and possible. Jennifer Butcher, WSSB Fitness TVI, was a wonderful instructor and I enjoyed learning from her in the pool.  The coursework also provided instruction on advanced CPR and First Aid. Additionally, on-campus I have enjoyed another dinner with the residents of Hall Cottage.  I always appreciate the opportunity to get to know our students and dorm staff a little better.  Our dorm staff are amazing people and we need to identify additional ways to celebrate the positive impact they make on the lives of our students. We shared an excellent Italian themed dinner, complete with dessert and opera music. We had the State Health Inspector stop by campus recently.  Kudos to our facilities, cafeteria, and health center staff as we seemed to sail through the inspection without a major issue or infraction. Other on-campus highlights include helping out as a tandem pilot after school with our recreation and volunteer staff, spending a day at Camp Magruder, attending prom, and helping out at the track meet on May 18.  Finally, my on-campus efforts included hosting three “Listening Sessions” as a means to hear feedback from staff, particularly those staff that work directly with students (Irwin, Residential, and Nursing).  Each session seemed successful in that staff shared many of their concerns and celebrations directly with me. I specifically asked that no supervisors were present to encourage staff to speak openly with me. All of the feedback that I received from staff was shared (with anonymity preserved) with the administrative team. I plan to provide quarterly “listening sessions” next year.

On the state agency side of things, in late March I attended the PNWAER annual conference.  This was a wonderful opportunity to connect with vision professionals from all parts of Washington.  While attending the conference, I had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Michael Monroe (Stephen F Austin University), Emily Coleman (WSSB), and Brent Stark (WSDS) to discuss our collaborative efforts to support a TVI preparation program specifically for Washington educators through the TVI Program at Stephen F Austin University (SFAU) in Texas.  Candidates have been chosen and notified and will begin coursework this summer.  WSDS and WSSB have worked together to fund a half-time mentorship position to support new Washington TVIs, including those who are participating in the SFAU training program. One of our itinerant teachers, Pam Parker, who recently completed her administrative program, has been hired to fill the mentor position. I continue to fulfill my role within State Government through regular and ongoing participation in meetings such as Results Washington, Executive Cabinet, as well as collaborative meetings with other state agencies such as DSB, CDHL, OSPI, DEL, and the Office of the Education Ombuds.  I continue to meet regularly with representatives from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and CDHL to identify a clear and workable path forward in regards to Memo 003-16m which was issued by OSPI over a year and a half ago.  It is unfortunate that we have not yet identified a solution that works for all of those involved (OSPI, CDHL, WSSB, and School Districts).  I am hopeful that a resolution will be reached in the very near future. In addition, WSSB has recently submitted its “Contingency Plan” in case a budget has not been passed before June 30.  Our contingency plan relies heavily on 19B funds to keep us going in the case of a government shutdown.  On a much lighter and more positive note, Janet Kurz and I attended the Combined Fund Drive (CFD) Leadership Breakfast together.  It was a great opportunity to hear about some of the amazing efforts that the CFD supports throughout Washington.  The morning presentation was inspirational and thought provoking.  Janet does a wonderful job coordinating our agency CFD efforts. Finally, I am assisting Portland State University (PSU) in their search for an Assistant Professor for their TVI and Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Prep Program.  We will be hosting each of the finalists for a campus tour in the coming weeks.

To wrap things up, I should let you all know that we are continuing to move forward with the renaming of Kennedy as directed by the board and will also be adding signage to the parking lot side of the Irwin building to identify it as the Washington State School for the Blind.  Additionally, our efforts to remedy the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) complaint against the school’s website are ongoing.  We will need to explicitly state and pursue plans to “seek input regarding the accessibility of our website from persons knowledgeable about website accessibility, employees, parents, students, and members of the public with disabilities.”  If you are willing and able to assist with this matter, please let us know.  Thank you.