WASHINGTON STATE SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 

Minutes from Board of Trustees Meeting

March 16, 2018

Vancouver, Washington

 

 

Board Members Participating:  Dennis Mathews, Yang-su Cho, Greg Szabo, Ed Snook, Reg George, Nancy McDaniel, Keri Clark and Berl Colley.

 

Board Members Absent:  Michelle Farrell, Cindy Bennett

 

Ex-Officio Members Participating:  Joleen Ferguson (Washington Council of the Blind), Jennifer Butcher (Teacher Representative), Jim Eccles (Washington Federation of State Employees Local #1225), Marci Carpenter (National Federation of the Blind of Washington), and Krista Bulger (Parent Representative).

 

WSSB Staff Members Participating:  Mr. Scott McCallum (Superintendent), Jeff Bowler (Teacher of the Visually Impaired-Short Courses) and Janet Kurz (recording secretary).

 

March 16, 2018 – 11am-1:50pm                                              

Dennis called the meeting to order at 11:00am.  Dennis started by asking the Board members to introduce themselves.  Scott requested an Executive Session following the regular business meeting. 

 

Business Meeting:

Old Business:

*      Approve board meeting minutes of January 17, 2018.  Ed moved to approve the minutes as submitted; Greg seconded the motion.  The minutes were approved unanimously.

 

New Business:

*      Review/Approve 2018-2019 School Year Calendar.  Dennis asked if everyone had a chance to review the calendar. 

o   Jennifer stated the teachers union has concerns regarding the calendar because it is very different from previous years, especially the Thanksgiving holiday break. The teachers concern is that residential students often times will not return to school during a short school week. Scott stated there are many issues to consider when putting together the calendar, i.e. legal requirements (180 days/1080 hours seat time for high school students), in addition the WSSB attempts to align our calendar with the Vancouver School District so that WSSB students who attend Hudson’s Bay High School and Discovery Middle School will not miss instruction time. Scott met with the teachers union regarding this issue and committed to meeting with them to gather staff input earlier in the calendar building process next year. Scott mentioned that in the past 18 years, 9 of the school calendars did not have the full week of Thanksgiving off with the other 9 years having the full week off.  Another issue to consider was if the WSSB had the week of Thanksgiving off, it would impact the final week of school.  Scott stated he added two days to the calendar, i.e. one move in day and one move out day (before school begins and after school ends).  The student luncheon and awards assembly will be held the same day as graduation as well as the board meeting.  Jennifer stated the teachers concern was instructional time but feels better knowing extra days were added.  Berl moved to accept the calendar; Nancy seconded the motion.  The calendar was approved unanimously. 

 

Department Highlight: 

Jeff Bowler, Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI)-Short Courses

o   Jeff thanked the Board for inviting him to the meeting.  Jeff reported that WSSB short courses are a weeklong training session for students around the state of Washington to come to the campus to learn about the nine Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) areas.  Jeff stated that approximately a dozen courses have been offered serving over 25 blind and visually impaired (BVI) students. 

o   Jeff visited the Perkins School for the Blind to review their short course program. 

o   Many of the students who have attended the short program have formed peer relationships. Blind and visually impaired (BVI) students in local school districts often times feel isolated and this program is often times their first experience in being away from home. 

o   During one of the short course programs, students were seen in the WSSB Low Vision Clinic and through a grant from the Pacific Foundation for Blind Children (PFBC) were able to receive low vision devices (video magnifiers, hand-held magnifiers, non-illuminated and illuminated monoculars, etc.).

o   Students in the program have done many outings in the community resulting in excellent feedback and community members expressing an interest in wanting to volunteer at the WSSB. 

o   Reg asked if the students have to bring some type of device to take notes.  Jeff said he suggests they bring it all. 

o   Greg asked if they thought about starting a mentorship program whereby a student could be paired up with an adult who is BVI.  Jeff felt that was a good idea. 

o   Discussion was held regarding pre and post evaluations of the student.  Jeff said he does a pre assessment and post assessment (before and after the course). 

o   Discussion was held regarding how a determination was made to hold the short courses for a one-week period.  Jeff said it is a fine balance to determine time to have students learn new skills and their home school districts homework requirements. Scott said when we first started the short course program, Scott met with an Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) staff and their concern was the amount of time that students could potentially miss from their home school district to attend short courses. 

o   Janet read a letter from a TVI/Orientation & Mobility (O&M) staff commenting Jeff regarding their student’s progress while attending a short course and the impact it had on him. 

o   Marci asked if there is an opportunity to do a three or six-month follow up survey.  Jeff posted a number of surveys on teacher listserv’s regarding ideas for short courses, follow-up surveys, etc. 

o   Joleen asked if we have considered creating some type of social media platform for students. 

o   Jeff feels students leave the short course feeling better about who they are. 

o   Krista asked when next year’s schedule and topics will be released.  Jeff said he is working on that now.  

o   Jeff recently did a home repair/independent living course. 

o   Yang-su said he has seen struggles with BVI students with talking calculators, math courses, apps on phones, etc.  Jeff will be running a business short course later this school year. 

 

Superintendent’s Report

Scott reviewed the following: 

o   Scott had the opportunity to participate in the swim meet in January with WSSB students. 

o   In February, legislators were in session. WSSB submitted several requests, one being reasonable accommodation for Outreach staff drivers.  Another request was for Digital Braille Literacy (braille displays, iPads or computers, etc.).  WSSB is feeling very supported by the legislators and Governor’s office with all asks being supported. 

o   The capital budget was passed during the legislative session; the challenge is that the WSSB now has a small amount of time to complete the projects. 

o   Recently, a donor approached the WSSB regarding a learning exchange program. In April, the Nepal Principal and TVI from their school for the blind will visit the WSSB for a week to study our programs.  After that week, they will travel to BVI stakeholders, i.e. the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library (WTBBL), Department of Services for the Blind (DSB), Lighthouse for the Blind, NWABA, Portland State University, etc. Through a grant, the WSSB received funds for our Principal to travel to Nepal this summer for two weeks to visit their program. The WSSB submitted a grant to the PFBC to include a TVI to travel to Nepal with our Principal. 

o   Also in February, Scott and Greg Szabo drove to Olympia so that Greg could be senate confirmed.  Scott felt this was a great opportunity to get know Greg better. 

o   In March, Scott spent a considerable amount of time looking at emergency management and communication systems. Scott realized that there are some holes in communication with the fluidity of staff off and on our campus, visitors, low vision clinic patients, maintenance staff, etc. Scott met with the head of security at the Clark College to discuss the systems that they are using.  The system that WSSB is looking into is “Alertus”.  This product is used by several schools for the blind, Gallaudet University, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), etc. Scott has reached out to those organizations to get a reference. The system has a variety of ways to push out communication with an option for a panic button; beacons for the walls that have a text to speech component, texting, and emergency flashers.  The goal is to have the system in place by fall, 2018. 

o   Yang-su said he hopes the DSB office located on the second floor of the Old Main building at the WSSB are included in the emergency notifications.  Janet responded that they are currently in the emergency notification system we have and they will be included in any future communication systems. 

o   Scott reported that he, Emily Coleman, Director of Outreach/Statewide Vision Consultant-Washington Sensory Disability Services and Sean McCormick, Director of On-Campus Programs were accepted into the doctoral program at the Washington State University.  DeEtte Snyder, Birth-Three Statewide Coordinator completed her dissertation defense toward her doctorate.

 

Ex-Officio’s Reports:

*      WFSE Local #1225 (Jim Eccles):

o   Jim reported that his concern relates to capital projects syncing up with the return of staff and students in the fall as many times projects tend to run past their due dates.

*      Washington Council of the Blind (WCB) (Joleen Ferguson):

o   Joleen reported that the WCB recently hosted a braille challenge and she heard many positive reports on the event. 

o   In May 2018, a leadership training will be held and is open to WCB members.  This event will be combined with the WCB spring board meeting, which will be held at the Crown Plaza SeaTac. 

o   The WCB fall convention will be held November 1-3 at the Crown Plaza SeaTac. 

o   The American Council for the Blind (ACB) convention will be held at the St. Louis Union Station June 29-July 6.  Joleen extended an invitation for any and all to attend the conventions. 

*      National Federation of the Blind (Marci Carpenter):

o   Marci reported that the NFB attended a training at the WSSB on March 10 relating to the BELL (Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning) program that will be held on the WSSB campus this summer. The program is intended for 6-12 year olds and an application and FAQ sheet will go out in the next couple of weeks. Marci plans to send the notice out to the WSSB, EVE listserv, etc.  The BELL program will be a two-week day program co-hosted by the NFB of Oregon.  Carla McQuillan from the NFB of Oregon provided the training. TVI, Sara Zachariah will be teaching the BELL program. Students will learn about braille, get a white cane, slate and stylus, do a Louis Braille birthday party, go on a field trip, etc. Parents will be asked to pay $25 to help defray the cost of the program.  The goal is to expand the program in the future to have a residential component. Keri asked how many children they will have in the program this year.  Marci said 10. Marci will send out the link as soon as it is available.  Berl asked if the focus will be on UEB; Marci said yes.

o   The NFB of Washington fall convention will be held October 26-28 at the Hotel RL in Olympia.  Registration information will be coming out this summer. 

o   Reg stated that the NFB should be commended for all of the programs they sponsor and stated they would like both consumer groups to work together.  Berl feels it is great that both consumer groups are working on braille literacy. 

o   Scott thanked the NFB for hosting a talent show at the WSSB on March 15. 

o   Marci said if people have an occasion to be in Washington DC, there is a museum called the “Newseum” that has kiosks, headphones etc. and has made the commitment to be an accessible museum.  Marci also reported that John Olson who has a company called 3D Photo Works takes photography and converts it into 3D images.  John is a reporter with Stars and Stripes and started his career during the Vietnam War.  John located soldiers, interviewed them and displays his 3D photography.  Marci can obtain tickets if anyone is interested.  Berl stated that the Holocaust Museum in D.C. has audio description of displays in the museum.

*      Parent Representative (Krista Bulger):

o   Krista reported that the parent group continues to be a group who is divided by square miles.

o   Krista had the opportunity to talk to parents at the recent Swim Meet in January.  Several students attended from Oregon.  Krista reported that parents from Oregon are unsure of what services are available.  Scott said the WSSB works with Oregon school districts and placement is an IEP driven decision. 

o   Krista stated that she discusses WSSB short courses with parents of students she serves in local school districts.  Krista feels that email may not be the best mode of communication and suggested perhaps the WSSB create a flyer outlining the program and course offerings that can be mailed.  Dennis remarked that while he was at the ESD 112, serving as a Special Education Director, it was his experience that mailing lists were confidential and that obtaining the information would have to be done through the Principal or Special Education Director. 

o   Jennifer encouraged Krista to have a table of information at the upcoming WSSB track meet in May.  Scott also encouraged the NFB and WCB to have an information table there as well. 

*      Teachers Representative (Jennifer Butcher):

o   Jennifer said that it is spring and often times a challenge to keep students calm and focused.

o   Jennifer reported that a number of on-campus and Outreach staff will be attending the upcoming Pacific Northwest Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of Blind and Visually Impaired (PNWAER) conference in Vancouver March 22-24.  Scott stated he is proud of our staff for putting in the time and effort into their presentations.

 

Committee Reports:

*      Education Committee (Michelle Farrell):  N/A

*      Buildings and Grounds Committee (Nancy McDaniel):

o   Nancy said the school is very fortunate to have Rob Tracey, Facilities Manager. 

o   Nancy, Rob and Scott did the annual facility walk-through before the Board meeting. Rob explained the ramifications of certain buildings on campus being “historical buildings” relating to capital projects.

o   Discussions were held regarding the number of capital projects that will be occurring this summer and the difficulty of obtaining contractors for smaller projects. 

o   Nancy reported that the tour included the warehouse and shop and they were very clean.

o   The Michael Freeman project is almost complete. Six signs (braille and print) are located in the bioswale area of campus highlighting some of the unique trees. In addition, the Lions Club recently donated a bronze Lion statue. Scott reported a base is being built for the Lion from reused brick on campus and the statue will be located between the Stenehjem building and the Irwin building to welcome people to that part of the campus; a braille and print sign will be available. 

*      Management Committee (Ed Snook):

o   Ed said there are no issues at this time.  Ed said he is pleased that everyone is working hard and all is well. 

*      Legislative Committee (Berl Colley):

o   Berl said as everyone knows the legislative session is over. Berl and Scott met during the session. 

 

Miscellaneous:

*      Marci discussed the Board of Trustees positions and terms. Janet explained that Board members can serve up to two 5-year terms. Information can be located at https://www.governor.wa.gov/boards-commissions.

*      Reg asked about the Learning Independence for Today and Tomorrow (LIFTT) program. Reg said often times high school students come to DSB unprepared in the area of math, which results in them failing classes at the college level. Reg asked if the LIFTT program has academic supports for this. Scott said that the LIFTT program is a DSB program. Reg would like to see how academic supports can be enhanced while they are here.  Jim said when students have specific needs they have found ways to fill them.  Jim has worked with students in LIFTT regarding math homework.  Jim said staff also work with DSB staff when we have students who have deficits in certain areas.  Jim stated LIFTT is designed to help students with Daily Living Skills, budgeting, time management, etc. and it is assumed that students are up to speed, or may need some additional support.  Reg said the feedback he is getting is that school districts are not preparing students before they are sent to LIFTT.  The suggestion was made to have Lori Pulliam, Director of Transition Services attend the June, 2018 board meeting

*      Reg also expressed a concern regarding the lack of a math TVI at WSSB.  Jennifer reported the WSSB currently has three Math TVI’s, however we do have an open position for Math TVI.

 

Executive Session

An executive session was called at 1:35pm.

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:50pm.  The next Board meeting will be held on May 3 at 7:30pm via conference call.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Dennis Mathews, Chair                                                                Scott McCallum, Superintendent

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

Board Reports – March 2018

 

Outreach

This school year is clipping along, and as we near Spring Break, it is exciting to look back on the past few months and all that has been accomplished by our Outreach and by our work with the Washington Sensory Disability Services (WSDS).

 

·         During November and December I continued to visit our Outreach staff on–site to observe the work they are doing with students every day.  I saw them all before the winter break and will do another round in the spring.

·         Outreach staff are also submitting to me videos of teaching (with parent permission) and copies of evaluations to document the work they are doing statewide with our kids.

·         We had three additional VI-Rounds Ups following the October event in Yakima.  We also met with regional providers in Renton, Tumwater, and Spokane. Our numbers continue to grow for this event, and we look forward to crucial networking/collaboration time.

·         In December, I toured the Inland Northwest Lighthouse in Spokane and gained much knowledge about their programs and opportunities for adults.  I look forward to visiting the Seattle Lighthouse in April.

·         The Blind Youth Consortium met in November in Lacey and again last week in Seattle. We continue to address digital literacy and have embarked on a research project in collaboration with Portland State University (PSU). 

·         We have been approved for another Stephen F. Austin University Co-hort through the collaboration with WSDS.  Our Outreach teacher, Pam Parker, will continue to work as a part-time mentor to those students and to PSU teacher candidates.  Additional Outreach teachers have participated as practicum placements, too.

·         On January 24, I attended the Deaf-Blind Advisory Group meeting in Renton, WA for the first time to support this unique population we serve.

·         January 26 was our quarterly Outreach meeting with multiple guest presenters including Dr. Closson from the Low Vision Clinic and Dr. Christine Roman-Lantzy to review her Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) Range Endorsement program in collaboration with Perkins.

·         The Unified English Braille (UEB) Committee continues to meet to support braille competency in WA State. Our braille class, taught by Mike Sivill, continues weekly with positive reviews.

·         On February 22-23, I participated in the interviews for new Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI)/ Orientation & Mobility (O&M) candidates at PSU, and am excited that they have over 50 applicants looking at this program with many from Washington.

·         Finally, I met with the State Needs Projects and also Glenna Gallo, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), on March 2 to discuss Special Education needs in WA and how best our programs, including WSSB and WSDS, can support students.

 

Our staff is looking forward to attending the Pacific NW/Oregon Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) Conference to be held March 22-24 in Vancouver, WA. Continued professional development and collaboration are always a priority for our team.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

On Campus

Enrollment

Students On-Campus:

Comprehensive programs: 43

Distance Learning: 6

Local District Day: 3

Short Course: 15 total (between 3 short courses)

Total: 67

 

Education In and Out of the Classroom

Since the beginning of January, students have been engaged in a variety of activities in and outside of the classroom.  Improving academic performance for students at WSSB is a priority, as each student should be provided the opportunity to learn to their greatest potential.  One strategy implemented this school year by Jennifer Langley, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, is the use of weekly progress monitoring for students.  Each Monday morning, students receive a slip of paper (braille and large print) that indicates whether they are on the ‘A Train’ and have A grade marks, ‘Woo Hoo’ or ‘You Rock’ for B and C grades, and ‘Aim High’ for D and F grade marks.  Each of these progress markers are handed out discreetly to each individual student, but it is common to hear a student state an emphatic, “YES” in the Irwin commons on Monday morning.  The students that are on the ‘Aim Higher’ plan have the opportunity to complete re-work or re-dos to improve their grade after meeting with their teacher.  The excitement around growth and improvement has helped students have a greater impact on knowing how to improve their grades and celebrating their hard work.

 

In addition to their in-class performance, students had the opportunity to participate in many activities outside of their classes.  Here are some of the fun activities at WSSB so far in 2018: students listened to Billy Henry from the Northwest Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA) speak at our annual PAYDAY assembly, students went on weekly outings in Mrs. Johnson’s Trails class, Regional Braille Challenge at WSSB, WSSB’s Powerlifting Team competed in Seattle, Jennifer Butcher led the annual Exercise for Heart event, downhill skiing on Thursdays in February, Goalball competed in Canby, OR, and students spent time cross-country skiing on Mt. Hood with the U.S. Forest Service and Teacup Nordic club.  

 

Short Course

WSSB Short course has hosted two courses in January and one in February.  The courses offered include a focus on low vision, social skills, and independent living skills in the home.  Each of these courses has had an incredible impact on the students attending.  One TVI in the state sent a message to WSSB to let us know that the course made a huge impact on them.  Here is what the TVI said:

 

“I must say - I am so proud of this student for all of his growth in the past year in regards to his vision impairment - but he has come leaps and bounds since attending the WSSB short course.  Thank you so much for all that you and the WSSB team do for our students!”

 

Other Updates On Campus

WSSB has a new music teacher, Lisa Peterson. Lisa will be a long-term sub through the end of the year.  Lisa has a background in music performance and music therapy.  Richard Coffman was hired as a full-time Residential Life Counselor (RLC).  Richard has been a sub teacher for WSSB for 3 years and is great to have on board.  Sean McCormick has been traveling the state to visit ESDs and create broader awareness of the programs on campus.  Staff have been participating in training regarding mental health and adverse childhood experiences to improve support for students in out of the classroom. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

Transition Services

Health Center

·         Nurses performed CPR/AED/First Aid training over winter break. Approximately 80% of WSSB staff are certified to perform CPR and first aid.

·         Students are participating in the Self Directed Medication Program.   

·         Eleven (11) disaster bags are located on campus: Irwin Admin office, Irwin Teacher’s Aide office, Learning Independence for Today and Tomorrow (LIFTT), Health Center, Watson, Clark, Hall and Chapman cottages, Stenehjem Fitness Center, Ogden Resource Center (ORC) and the Superintendent’s office.

·         The updated medication administration policy has been approved.

·         Health center nurses will both maintain registration as nurses in both Oregon and Washington to meet the needs of students.

·         Health Center nurses work with school staff to problem solve health concerns to facilitate students receiving as much instructional time as possible.

·         In addition to medication education for students, nurses teach various topics to students as needs arise, such as hand hygiene, eye hygiene, how to apply a band aid, sexual education and nutrition topics to name just a few.

·         Nurses are actively preparing emergency care plan information for students with special health care needs in a more accessible format for our blind and visually impaired staff.

·         The current medical directors are Dr. Katherine Vaughn and Dr. Laurie Metzger from the Vancouver Clinic.

 

Youth Service Specialist

·         Continued coordination of Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) funded contract with Partners in Careers to provide weekly soft skills training, job shadows/internships and integrated community career focused workshops for 10 WSSB students.  Community activities this quarter included student participation in the Fort Vancouver Regional Library fundraiser, mentor, career round-up and mock interview events.  Students have done volunteer internships at the Fort Vancouver Library Headquarters, Pearson Air Museum, Salvation Army Food Bank and ReTails Thrift Store.  Student job shadow experiences included a website designer/film producer/technology instructor, a professional piano player, Clark College music department instructor, Dot’s Donuts and Clark College sports announcer.

·         Participation in the Center for Change in Transition Services (CCTS) Transition Learning Community leadership team.  The goals of the team are focused on increasing work based learning opportunities, determining student skills gaps and enhancing transition assessments.

·         Participation in the WorkForce South West Washington’s Emerging Workforce Committee quarterly meetings.

·         Participation in WorkSource’s Business Services WIOA Partner monthly team meetings.

·         Attends quarterly DSB youth services and DSB south region staff meeting.

·         Attends monthly DSB YSS staff meetings.

·         Updates DSB’s business management database with pre-ETS activity documentation as required. 

·         Works 1:1 with students in the WSSB GOALS class 2 days per week to establish Career Cruising program accounts and facilitate work readiness activities.

·         Attended Washington Initiative for Supported Employment (WISE) trainings on January 23, February 20 and February 21, 2018. Presentations were made by State Department of Developmental Disabilities, Clark County Developmental Disability Services, DVR and WISE about navigating adults systems and employment incentives for individuals receiving SSI/SSDI.

·         Attended TVI round-up meeting in Tumwater on December 5, 2017.

·         Met with Clark County Community Services Development Disabilities Program Manager and Program Coordinator on December 14, 2017 to begin discussions about pre-ETS services for youth with multiple disabilities.

·         Conducted follow-up meetings in with DDA employment vendors, Employers Overload and Trillium Employment Services, to facilitate discussion about possible contracting for services for students with additional disabilities on January 4, 2018 and February 1, 2018.

·         Attended ICan Workshop Instructing the Caring Adult Network "What Trauma Teaches About Resilience" on January 29, 2018.

·         Participation in the WSSB Career Fair Planning Committee – developing job shadow opportunities and connecting with community agencies to provide workplace readiness skills training for the event.

·         Ongoing coordination of YES 1 program advertisement/application process and development of job shadow placements.

·         Attended a CCTS “Developing Job Shadow Experiences” training in Renton on February 13, 2018.

·         Attended a WorkSource sponsored Healthcare Employment Panel event on February 28, 2018.

LIFTT/Transition services

·         LIFTT students are progressing through their class work, work experiences and LIFTT program training for skills of independence. “Life after LIFTT” will be a strong focus for the spring term.

·         There is student interest in program attendance for the 2018-2019 program year. As of this writing, we have given two tours, had inquiries from nine students and have received one application.

·         And, last but not least – an article about one of the LIFTT students from the Washington State University-Vancouver (WSU-V) newsletter:

 

Way to go!

WSU Vancouver’s public website is more accessible thanks to the work of Web Communications Manager Brian Bates, Accessibility Council Student Intern Ziggy Reinhardt and Academic Services team members Michelle Eccles and Scott Fraser. Ziggy, a 2017 WSU Vancouver alumnus, spent several months in the fall evaluating the website’s accessibility using a screen reader and worked closely with Michelle and Scott to compile a final report. Brian used the report to update the website, making it more accessible. Kudos to everyone involved!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

Business Office

1.           2017-19 Operating Budget

We closed the month of January with a 2.5% variance.  Most departments are staying within their allotted budget and we are projecting to end the year on target.

 

In Fund 19B, we ended January with an 8% variance.  Balance ending January 2018 was $1,925,495.

 

2.           2017-19 Capital Budget

As you are aware, the legislature did not pass a capital budget during their regular session.  It was passed during their supplemental cycle.  We were appropriated the following:

 

Campus Preservation                                         $520,000

Pre-Study for Independent Living Center      50,000

 

3.           2018 Supplemental:  The legislature is in session and will end on March 8.  So far, we have not received any fiscal note requests.  All of our decision package requests have been recommended in both the Senate and House and are moving through the process. 

 

4.           Safety Net:  We are working on the 2017-18 Safety Net grant application. The due date is March 16 and we will submit an application for funding for three students totaling $84,442. 

 

5.           Fiscal Year-End and FY2019:  We are beginning to prepare for fiscal year-end and 2019 allotments in addition to allotting whatever supplemental requests are funded. 

 

6.           2019-21 Budget:  Decision packages for 2019-21 budget cycle will be due early August.  We will be discussing what we will submit soon.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

Human Resources

New Hires:  

·         Amanda Pizzo – Fiscal Tech 1

·         Richard Coffman – RLC

·         Lisa Peterson – Substitute TVI

·         Jennifer Sparrowgrove – On-call Custodian

·         Toni Fazio – On-call Cook

·         Emily Owens – On-call TA

·         Arina Cheptea – On-call Nurse

·         Felicia Williamson – On–call TA

·         Katy Perry – Substitute Teacher and on-call TA

·         Deborah Petrie – On-call TA

 

Open Recruitments:

·         TVI – Math

·         TVI - Music

·         School Psychologist

·         Custodian

·         On-call Teacher’s Assistant

·         On-call Custodian

·         On-call Nurse

·         Substitute Teacher

Trainings/Functions Attended:

·         HR Managers Meeting – Facilitated by Franklin Plaistowe and Marcos Rodriguez

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

·         Safe Schools Task Force

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

Ogden Resource Center (ORC)

Prison Program

Recently, some of our transcribers at the women’s prison (WCCW) have left the braille program to re-enter society and begin their own braille businesses. We are hiring new transcribers and apprentices. We are working closely with the prison to make sure that ongoing training is supported for all transcribers.

 

Farewells and Hellos

One of our proofreaders, Mike Sivill, and our Warehouse Operator, Tyler Peterson, have left WSSB to pursue new career opportunities.  We will soon welcome Ian Goodrich to our team as the Warehouse Operator. We are not hiring a new proofreader at this time as our exceptional proofreader, Adrienne Lattin, is currently keeping up with demand.

 

Instructional Resource Center

The ORC is working on the annual American Printing House for the Blind (APH) Census. This is the first year that parent permission slips are required to release information so staff have been busy working with teachers around the state to gather up permission slips for all ORC registered students.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

Buildings and Grounds

Campus

·         The Freeman Project signs are scheduled to be installed on March 15. This includes signage for the six trees on campus that visitors asked about the most or have significant features that make them stand out as unique.

·         The pool circulation system has been repaired and the recent health department audit was complementary of the improvements we have made. We are now working on gathering bids for required maintenance to the sand filters.

·         We have reworked all eight of the lights in the pool area and changed them to LED’s. Clark PUD has offered to pay for up to $4000 of this retro fit, which means the total project cost is under $200, and will change the wattage used from 8,000 kilowatts to 1,920.

·         We are evaluating an emergency alert system that will tie in a broad spectrum of alert notification methods with an almost instant activation. This is still in the information-gathering phase but initial feedback looks promising.

·         The Lions Club has donated a bronze statue of a lion, which we will be building a stand for and mounting in the parking lot island to the east of Irwin.

 

Capital

·         Eight of the lights in the gym have been replaced with LED fixtures. The remaining fluorescent fixtures were adjusted and repaired to give better coverage in the play areas. 

·         We currently have five capital projects scheduled to begin as soon as possible. These include resealing all of the campus parking lots, sewer line rework and roof replacement for the cottages, front entry work for Old Main and additional card readers added in various areas of campus.

·         We are evaluating cottage furniture replacement for the bedrooms and living rooms. This will replace the items that are twenty plus years old.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

Birth-3

·         Referrals for new infants/toddlers continue to come in!  We now have contracts with all five early intervention agencies in Spokane County and they are actively referring children for VI services.  We also have a new contract in Kittitas County with Bright Beginnings for two children. 

·         A current goal of program is to inform medical providers, such as pediatric ophthalmologists, on who we are, how to refer, and what services are provided to children and families beyond their exam rooms.  We are working on a letter through ESIT on the referral process as well as an informational brochure to educate them on our services.

·         Currently the B-3 Program has 19 active contracts serving 15 counties for a total of 47 kids.  These numbers actually change almost on a daily basis as children come into services and also leave services at the age of 3.

·         The Birth to 3 Staff at WSSB, which includes DeEtte Snyder, Cindy McAlexander, and Kathy Michielsen, has begun monthly reflective consultations with a clinical social worker and infant mental health professional Carol Good from Child Strive.  We have goal of becoming better reflective practitioners in our work with children, families, and other early intervention partners through this process.  This time has been very beneficial to us!

·         DeEtte was accepted to do a daylong pre-conference session at the Infant and Early Childhood Conference, on May 2 in Tacoma.  This presentation is titled “The Keys to Learning: Assessing the Strengths and Needs of Children with Sensory Disabilities” and will be in partnership with the Deaf Blind Project and also Center for Childhood Deafness and Hearing Loss (CDHL).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

Superintendent

I am trying something new with my board reports this year.  I will provide, in bulleted format, a list of the more significant activities of the Superintendent’s office.  For each month, I will describe a highlight or two in more detail. If at any point you would like more information or have questions, please do not hesitate to call, email, or schedule a time to meet in person.  I want to make sure that you have the information that you need to advise and guide what we do to meet the needs of students who are blind or visually impaired throughout Washington State.

 

January

January 19:  Lighthouse for the Blind (meeting with mgmt. team and tour)

January 22:  Education sub-cabinet meeting (conference call)

January 23:  Executive Cabinet meeting

January 23:  Safety Net and “Resident” students with the Office of Financial Management (OFM)

January 24:  Deaf/Blind Advisory Meeting (Zoom meeting)

January 24:  Dinner with the students – Watson Cottage

January 25:  UEB Committee Meeting

January 25:  WSSB/Lions Swim Meet

January 26:  Listening Session – Outreach department

January 29:  Education sub-cabinet meeting (conference call)

January 31:  Governor Results Review meeting

January 31:  Process for counting students enrolled in state programs (OSPI)

 

Highlight

Spending time with students and staff is always a highlight for me.  In January, I have had the good fortune of eating dinner with the students who reside in Watson Cottage, hosting another listening session, this time with our Outreach staff, and swimming in our annual Lions Swim Meet.  The 2018 Lions Swim Meet provided me with a memory that is sure to last a lifetime.  One of our middle school students, possibly sensing my nervous anticipation of swimming in the meet, kindly asked if I was going to be swimming in the 200.  The 200 is a longer distance swim that requires one to swim eight laps of our pool to complete the event.  When I responded to the young swimmer’s question, telling her that I was indeed swimming the 200 and that I was a bit nervous, she replied with a confident smile, “I am going to beat you.  I am really good.”  The 200 was the first event of the night.  I had the pleasure of competing against two middle school students and our Director of On-Campus Programs, Sean McCormick.  I swam my hardest, crushing the first four laps of the pool and, I think, leading the pack for those first few laps.  The second half of the event seemed, for me, to drag on forever.  I gave it every ounce of effort I could muster, nearly succumbing to cramping back, shoulder and arm muscles.  In the end, I felt very good about my effort, giving everything I had to complete the event.  I imagine that our students also felt really good about their winning efforts and earned bragging rights since they beat both the principal and superintendent in the same race. 

 

February

February 1:  Conference call “Exchange Program with Nepal”

February 2:  Reasonable Accommodation Webinar

February 5:  Education sub-cabinet meeting (conference call)

February 6:  Meet with Martin Middlewood regarding Clark County Historical Museum Music Exhibit

February 6:  Meet with Mike See, Clark College regarding campus security

February 8:  Emergency Preparedness Class at Clark College

February 8:  Tour with TVI Sharon Zenger

February 12:  Education sub-cabinet meeting (conference call)

February 12:  Access for All Partner Meeting

February 15:  Exercise for Heart Day

February 15:  New Board Member, Greg Szabo, Senate Confirmation

February 21:  Meeting at PCC with Biology Instructor, Jon Briggs

February 22:  Listening Sessions with staff

February 23:  AFBLC – COSB Panel regarding high stakes testing

February 26:  SEVP and ICE On-Site Visit

February 27:  Executive Cabinet/Small Agency Cabinet meeting

February 28:  Meet with Karen Diller and Robert Schimelpfenig, WSU-V Library (archivists)

 

Highlight

February proved to be yet another very busy month.  The 2018 Legislative Session (short session=60 days) is in full swing.  We have seen forward movement with the Capital budget left over from the previous session as well as support for our Supplemental budget requests to support increased costs in the areas of reasonable accommodation, student transportation, digital braille literacy, and a budgetary technical correction.

 

A highlight for me was the time I spent with new Board of Trustees member, Greg Szabo, for his Senate confirmation hearing in Olympia.  I had the wonderful opportunity to accompany Mr. Szabo at his Senate hearing.  I am excited to welcome him to our board. 

 

On campus, we are looking forward to hosting friends from a school for the blind in Nepal for two weeks in April as part of a “Knowledge Exchange” opportunity. The principal, Ms. Keshari Thapa, and a teacher, Ms. Sita Gyawali, from Purwanchal Gyanchakshu Vidhyalaya (Special School for the Blind and Visually Impaired including those with Multiple Disabilities) will spend time learning about services for the blind and visually impaired in Washington.  Our Nepali friends plan to spend one week at WSSB learning about our school-based programs.  During the second week of their exchange, they will spend time with an itinerant TVI in the Seattle area as well as potential meetings with stakeholders such as Department of Services for the Blind, Washington Talking Book and Braille Library, Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind, Northwest Association for Blind Athletes, Portland State University, and Washington Sensory Disability Services. As part of the Knowledge Exchange, external funding has been secured to send WSSB Director of On-Campus Programs, Sean McCormick, to the School for the Blind in Nepal in late June to learn about their programs and services.  Additionally, funding has been requested from the Pacific Foundation for Blind Children (PFBC) to support sending a WSSB teacher to Nepal as part of the exchange.

 

March

March 1:  Blind Youth Consortium Meeting

March 6:  WSSB admin. team meeting

March 7:  Goal Council Meeting

March 9:  Oregon Commission for the Blind special meeting

March 12-13:  Career Fair – WSSB Students

 

Highlight

Over the past several months, I have spent considerable time and effort examining our emergency management plans and procedures.  These efforts have included many internal discussions about our own plans and practice on campus related to a variety of potential emergencies.  I have reviewed our current documented plans.  I have met with the Director of Security, Safety and Emergency Management from Clark Community College.  Additionally, I participated in a training at Clark about their emergency management procedures.  Due to the unfortunate and recent event in Florida, safety and emergency management have become regular discussion topics at Clark County Superintendent meetings.  One of our most significant challenges at WSSB is the fluid-nature of students and staff at WSSB and providing real-time communication in the event of an emergency that reaches everyone who needs to know.  The challenge of communication may create vulnerabilities that we must address.  We are in the process of evaluating emergency communication options that will meet our needs at WSSB.  Before the end of the school year, we hope to identify and move forward with an emergency communication update that address’ our vulnerabilities in the most complete way possible. As more complete plans are identified, I will keep the board up-to-date.

 

Ongoing

Meetings with department managers and administration team

PFBC meetings

Executive Cabinet meetings

Goal Council meetings

Clark County and Regional Superintendent meetings

NWABA Board meetings

UEB committee meetings

Oregon Commission for the Blind Board meetings

Washington DeafBlind Advisory Council meetings

Washington Sensory Disability Services meetings

 

Highlight

I mentioned at the last board meeting that I had applied to the Washington State University Graduate School for admission to the Educational Leadership Doctoral program. I have been accepted to the program and plan to enroll in classes that begin in the fall of 2018.  The program will take a minimum of four years to complete and successful completion of the program will result in the award of Doctorate of Education degree in Educational Leadership.  Emily Coleman, WSSB’s Director of Outreach, has also been accepted into the program and plans to enroll in the fall of 2018.  We anticipate aligning our dissertation work with a focus on services for students who are blind or visually impaired.