Illinois School for the
Visually Impaired
Advisory Council Meeting
Summary Notes
February 20, 2009
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Present:
Lyle Stauder, Dr. Derrald Taylor, Dr. Michael Zost, Trudy Diepholz,
Sharon Wimmer, Richard Schrumpf, Chris Clark, Jeff Schulte, Lisa
McDaniel and Araceli Avina
Absent:
Amy Grau, Kelsey Thompson, Tom Crane
Guests:
Francisco Alvarado, Joe Lanier, Carmen Dennis, Janet McGovern, Rick Canode, Paul
Drake, Jane Breen, Reggie Clinton, and Flora Dennison
I. Roll
Call/Introductions
Dr.
Michael Zost, Chairperson, called the meeting to order. Each person who was
present introduced himself or herself.
Francisco
Alvarado, Assistant Director for the Division of Rehabilitation Services was
introduced by Mr. Clinton. Mr. Alvarado is Kris Smith’s replacement and will be
attending meetings as she did. Mr. Alvarado expressed to everyone that Mr.
Clinton is a valuable employee to ISVI and he feels that Mr. Clinton works very
well with all departments in supporting ISVI and budget issues. Since Mr.
Alvarado has come aboard in his position he has depended on Mr. Clinton for many
things regarding ISVI.
III. Student
Council Report -- Tabatha Rogers
A report
was given to all members for review. One item that wasn’t in the report was
they are going to have a Freshman Week. These are a few of the things that
will go on that week will be hula hoop contest, hat day, and crazy dance
day. These are just a few things that they have discusses at meetings.
Tabitha wanted everyone to know students here at ISVI don’t want to see ISVI
closed. ISVI offers so much to students, and they enjoy attending school
here.
IV. New
Business
Dr. Zost
asked Council members if there were concerns they would like to share with
the Council.
Ms.
Diepholz replied that she would like to help on the outreach program and Ms.
McDaniel and Ms. Clark volunteered to help out.
All
agreed that summer camp is big for the school. This brings in students from
across Illinois.
Ms.
McDaniel also states that there is a regional need to recognize ISVI.
Dr. Zost
noted that ISVI needs to have parent services in the districts, including
the goal to being more of a “revolving door” program and the need to focus
on educational skills.
Ms. Clark
noted that another need of ISVI is having an early intervention at ISVI,
which is considered a pre-school.
Mr.
Schulte inquired as to what grades ISVI’s current pre-school teacher Mrs.
Frisch teaches. Mr. Clinton replied first, second and third grades. He
also noted that ISVI doesn’t have the head count at this time to hire a
pre-school educator.
Dr.
Taylor would like to see our summer programs expanded. Mr. Stauder would
like to see our summer programs expanded to 3-4 weeks and include a
work-force program for younger students, which isn’t offered in their public
school.
Ms.
Wimmer feels that the summer time gives students who are interested in
attending ISVI the chance to stay in the TLC and attend programs to
familiarize them with the campus.
Dr. Zost
asked if it would be possible to evaluate potential students during the
summer so that when the school year starts they are ready to attend ISVI.
Mr.
Stauder feels that we need to work with the local school districts and
parents to promote ISVI. Mr. Lanier asked if there was an educational video
of ISVI. Mr. Clinton answered that ISVI has one and it’s available.
Dr. Zost
asked Mr. Stauder if IPVI will advocate for ISVI. Ms. Wimmer and Mr.
Stauder both agree that ISVI needs to be recognized throughout the state.
Ms. Diepholz asked if IPVI would be interested in funding things at ISVI?
Mr. Stauder replied that IPVI would be interested if the money was there but
at this time there is no guarantee.
Mr.
Stauder would like to see ISVI offer help with parents educating their child
who are visually impaired or blind and meet with other parents to express
their concerns.
Ms.
Diepholz would like to see a committee work on what kinds of messages we
would like to get out to the community about ISVI. Dr. Zost asked if DHS
would approve and Mr. Alvarado said he doesn’t see a problem with getting
this approved. Once we have a concept of what we are wanting to do we can
bring DHS’s people from communications to address what ISVI can do. Mr.
Alvarado stated that there will be a person assigned to this project.
Ms.
Diepholz has volunteered to head the committee. Ms. Breen offered her help
on the committee. She also said that there are several resources on the web
with downloads that are free. The members of this sub-committee shall
consist of Ms. Diepholz, Ms. Breen, Ms. Clark, Mr. Clinton, Ms. Wimmer, Lisa
McDaniel and Marsha Schoth. Dr. Zost would like to have the sub-committee
make an outline of what is needed and get back to the Advisory Council at
the May meeting.
Mr.
Schrumpf stated that there are 19,000 Lion members and that a monthly
magazine goes out and he is willing to cover the cost of an advertisement
about ISVI.
Dr. Zost
also mentioned that maybe future goals would include a 12 month curriculum.
Mr. Clinton stated that this would be a union problem and we could explore
it with Labor Management. This would be a better use of ISVI’s facility and
we have to see what is best for our students. Mr. Schulte stated that if
ISVI followed a year round curriculum that there would be several breaks
during the year and a 7 week break during the summer. Ms. Breen also stated
that if ISVI adopted a year round school year that ISVI could continue to
offer out-reach programs and the Opening Doors program in July & August.
Bylaws and Constitution: No report given.
Nominating of Members: No report given.
Reports:
Superintendent
-- Mr. Reggie Clinton
Mr. Clinton presented a PowerPoint presentation regarding new staff, donations
to the school, assistive technology purchases, window project, budget, public
relations for ISVI, boiler project, legislative breakfast, dual course credit,
and the partner ship with MacMurray College.
Recently, ISVI
was visited by some higher level DHS budget people. They toured the campus and
realized that the tools to work with visually impaired and or blind students are
expensive and needed.
Committee Reports:
Public
Relations -- Trudy Diepholz
Long Range
Planning -- Dr. Taylor
No report
given.
Old Business
Adjournment
A motion to adjourn was made at 12:40 p.m., and a second was made
and accepted.
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