SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL

Minutes – November 14, 2008

12:10 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

PRESENT: Brendelyn Ancheta, Debbie Cheeseman, Phyllis Dekok, Mary Ellis, Debra Farmer, Gabriele Finn, Martha Guinan, Henry Hashimoto, John Hinkle, Tami Ho, Barbara Ioli, Steve Laracuente, June Motokawa, Lynn Murakami-Akatsuka, Kristy Nishimura, Barbara Pretty, Kaui Rezentes, Susan Rocco, Tricia Sheehey, Ivalee Sinclair, August Suehiro, Jan Tateishi, Judy Tonda, Cari White

EXCUSED: Paul Ban, Sue Brown, Shanelle Lum, Rachel Matsunobu, Dr. John Viesselman, Jasmine Williams, Duane Yee, Shawn Yoshimoto

GUEST(S): Kelly Knudsen

TOPIC	DISCUSSION	ACTION
Call to order	Chair Ivalee Sinclair called the meeting to order at 12:10 p.m.
Announcements	Jan Tateishi announced that she had followed up on Gabriele Finn’s question related to the Developmental Disabilities Division (DDD) guidelines for services to children under 13. Jan established that there is no state law, as previously assumed, that requires adult supervision for any child 12 and under. The DDD is still retaining its guidelines, but will no longer make reference to such a law. Ivalee announced that the December meeting will include the annual gift exchange, and members encouraged to bring a gift valued between $5-10 .
Review of 9/12/08 and 10/10/08 Minutes	Under the heading of Members Present, Cari White clarified that she was excused for the September and October meetings, and Kaui Rezentes added that she was excused for the September meeting. No other corrections were made to either set of minutes.	The minutes for September and October were approved as corrected.
10/15/08 Meeting with the Superintendent	Ivalee reported that the October meeting with Mrs. Hamamoto was very productive. Some of the issues discussed included: Evidenced based practices in the classroom Tricia Sheehey noted that at more than one school she visits, there are more adults in the classroom than children, which can hamper effective instruction. Ivalee subsequently suggested to the Superintendent that contracts for behavioral supports (i.e. skills trainers) be written so that the contractor can work with more than one child at a time. Debbie Farmer clarified that the contracts were recently adjusted to include a rate for group instruction but agreed that training may be needed to make sure schools are aware of the option. Other topics discussed included linking IEP goals and lesson plans to standards, an ongoing literature search by the Personnel Committee for best practices with inclusive education, and paraprofessional training. Due to personnel development budget cuts in the Department, training has been affected, but there are still grant monies available for other entities, such as the University of Hawaii, to provide training to teachers. Mission of the Transition Committee Tami Ho reported that the Superintendent would like SEAC to expand its focus on transition to include all areas of transition, including transition from early intervention to pre-school. She sees recommendations on transition practices as an important contribution of SEAC. Technical Support from CADRE The Due Process Committee expressed appreciation for being included in the development of a plan with technical assistance from the Consortium on Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Education to improve communication between parents and schools, increase the use of early dispute resolution practices, and thereby reduce the need for due process hearings.	Notes of the meeting were disseminated to members.
SEAC’s Position on Budget Cuts and the Department’s Reorganization	Kelly Knudsen, a District Educational Specialist from Kauai, expressed concern over personnel cuts on her island and asked the Council’s position on the budget, as well as the reorganization of departmental branches. Ivalee cited SEAC testimony regarding the need to preserve staff and resources so as not to jeopardize direct staff and federal monies. Kelly shared that Kauai’s physical therapist position had been cut and that teachers and parents were expressing grave concerns over the practice of “bumping” —educators with senority whose positions have been eliminated taking over positions of teachers with less senority, resulting in abrupt transitions and an occasional mismatch in skill sets. Ivalee responded that SEAC is waiting for the Governor’s budget to know the full extent of budget cuts to the Department. SEAC will then advocate at the Legislature to protect and restore positions and programs that are essential to serving children with disabilities. In order to effectively state our, SEAC needs information from the school and complex level. As for the reorganization, Ivalee stated that SEAC is still gathering information.	Kelly and other members of the public who were attending the meeting were encouraged to share data regarding budget cuts with SEAC.
Update on Chapters 19, 60 and 61	Ivalee shared the latest information from the Board of Education that Chapter 60 has been cleared for public hearing, but that BOE is awaiting clearance by the Governor’s Office for Chapters 19 and 61 before scheduling a joint public hearing for all three rules.
Draft Testimony on Chapter 60	Members reviewed draft testimony expressing support for many parts of the new proposed rules but major concern over the use of outdated disability terminology in reference to eligibility categories. Ivalee reminded members that volunteers will be needed to present the testimony at individual public hearings. Ivalee also appealed to the public audience to provide multiple testimonies that advocate for the insertion of respectful and appropriate disability terminology into the proposed rules.	Copies of the draft testimony were distributed to members. Volunteer presenters are encouraged to contact Ivalee or Susan.
Draft Booklet on Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)	Susan presented a rough draft of a format and broad topic areas for a parent friendly informational piece on options for dispute resolution other than due process hearings. Members agreed to the format of a “flip guide” and inclusion of parent-to-parent assistance as an ADR option along with IEP facilitation, mediation and written complaints. The symbol of the Pueo (Hawaiian Owl) was offered in lieu of the Honu, to incorporate local culture into the booklet.	Susan will provide the Due Process Committee a more detailed draft for review prior to submission to Taren Taguchi in the Complaints Management Office.