OFFICIAL MINUTES FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING OF THE

ARKANSAS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF

ARKANSAS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND

           

The Board of Trustees for the Arkansas School for the Deaf and the Arkansas School for the Blind met for their monthly meeting on August 19, 2008.

 

Present: Henrietta Williams, Chairperson; Pam Hyneman, Vice Chairperson; Beth Gray, Secretary; John McGehee, Parent Representative; Jim Hill, A.S.B. Superintendent; Dr. Marcella Dalla Rosa, A.S.D. Superintendent; Katie Becker, Zania Musteen, Interpreters; Amy Ford, Office of the Attorney General; Members of the Deaf Community; Members of the Blind Community

 

Absent:  Andrew Tolbert

 

Call to Order

 

Ms. Williams called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Ms. Williams apologized to the board for her voice level at the last meeting. She explained that dealing with a lot of issues can cause that and she hopes no one took it personally. The next board meeting will be September 16, 2008 and will be at the Arkansas School for the Blind

 

08-J-010 Motion to Approve Consent Items

 

Ms. Williams asked for a motion to approve the Minutes from the July board meeting. Ms. Gray made the motion and Dr. Watson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Action Items

None

 

Discussion Items

John McGehee – A.S.B. Parent Representative

 

Mr. McGehee said he was not able to come to the A.S.B. registration because his son was also registering that day. He had no other report.

 

Janice Vaughn - A.S.D. Parent Representative

 

Mrs. Vaughn:  We started school, I guess, Monday and I have heard from a few parents, including myself and, unfortunately, I think you know this Marcella, the school is not in compliance with all of the IEPs.

 

Board of Trustees Meeting

Arkansas School for the Deaf

Arkansas School for the Blind

August 19, 2008

Page 1 of 2

Ms. Williams:  Now Janice is this involving…

Mrs. Vaughn: I have heard from another parent about this.

Ms. Williams: Okay, because we are not going to get personal.

Ms. Vaughn: No, no, no. I’m just saying, no, and I’m not naming names.

Ms. Williams: Okay.

Mrs. Vaughn: I’m just saying I have a, my problem with it is the school is legally required to follow all of the IEPs and they are not being followed. I just know two of them.

Ms. Williams: Okay.

Dr. Dalla Rosa:  If that other parent could call me. Because I’m…

Mrs. Vaughn: I think they have already contacted Mike and Lonya.

Dr. Dalla Rosa: Okay. I’ll have to find out who called and we’re doing yours again.

Ms. Williams: OK, so there is a problem with IEPs, not with just yours…with other parents?

Mrs. Vaughn:  I think the biggest problem is we don’t have enough teachers for the kids that we have, particularly in Special Ed. and we have had two more since this list that happened, or least one more that has quit. Another teacher has quit.

Ms. Williams:  I know of two that have quit.

Mrs. Vaughn:  Yes. Vickie (inaudible) Gill quit and Pat Wheeler quit and the problem is it is leaving holes and even before that there, and this has been brought to the school administration’s attention, that IEPs are not being met on some of the students.

Ms. Williams:  Okay. Marcella, what would you want to do?

Dr. Dalla Rosa: Want to find out who it is and then we’ll do a separate programming or get it addressed. I have to, I don’t have all of the information at this moment.

Ms. Williams:  Okay. So, you’re going to… you want the parent to call you or to get back with Lonya and them?

Dr. Dalla Rosa: I’ll check with Mike and Lonya (inaudible) they know.

Mrs. Vaughan:  Okay.

Ms. Williams:  Okay. Because we want to be in compliance with this. Okay.

Mrs. Vaughn:  It’s just something I thought needed to come to the attention of the board because it can cause some major repercussions.

Ms. Williams: Well, yes if we are not in compliance. Okay. Is that it? Alright.

 

There being no further business of  Joint nature, the meeting moved to the Agenda for the Arkansas School for the Blind.

 

 

                                                                        _______________________________

                                                                        Henrietta Williams, Chairperson

 

 

                                                                        _______________________________

                                                                        Beth Gray, Secretary

Board of Trustees Meeting

Arkansas School for the Deaf

Arkansas School for the Blind

August 19, 2008

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