Heather Campbell
Director of Education
Dianne McCormack
Chair
MAIN OFFICE : 522 SECOND ST. E., FORT FRANCES, ON, P9A 1N4 Telephone: (807) 274-9855 FAX (807) 274-5078 Toll Free 1-800-214-1753
Special Education Advisory Committee Minutes
Education Centre
February 11, 2015 – 12:00 p.m.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Kelly Forbes, Special Education Administrator; Allan McManaman,
Superintendent of Education; Gwen Marsonet, Confederation College; Mike Lewis, Trustee Rainy River
District School Board; Allene Perusse, Community Living-Fort Frances & District; Kim Redford, Parent
Representative; Lorraine Gauthier-Stromberg, Kenora-Rainy River District Child & Family Services;
Christie Gushulak, Community Living-Atikokan
REGRETS: Shelley Dion, Kenora-Rainy River District Child & Family Services; Donna Chief, Seven
Generations Education Institute Representative
STAFF: Sandra Ward, Recording Secretary
1.
Call to order
The meeting was called to order by Allene Perusse, at 12:17 p.m.
2.
Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved as amended to include 6 f) Letter to SEAC Members – Invitation to SEAC
Provincial Conference.
3.
Disclosure of Conflict of Interest
There was no disclosure of conflict of interest.
4.
Confirmation of Minutes
Christie Gushulak, Community Living – Atikokan noted that the minutes indicated regrets when in
fact she was in attendance. Approval of the minutes of January 14, 2015 as amended was moved
by Mike Lewis and seconded by Kim Redford.
5.
Business Arising from Minutes
a) Review/Third Section – Special Education Plan
Amendments to Section Three were included in the agenda package for Committee members
to review. Committee members were in agreement with the proposed changes.
6.
Correspondence
a) Letter to SEAC Chair from Laura Mills, Superintendent of Business
Committee members are invited to provide feedback on what they would like to see
considered in the 2015-2016 budget preparation by March 31, 2015.
Heather Campbell
Director of Education
Dianne McCormack
Chair
MAIN OFFICE : 522 SECOND ST. E., FORT FRANCES, ON, P9A 1N4 Telephone: (807) 274-9855 FAX (807) 274-5078 Toll Free 1-800-214-1753
b)
Letter to SEAC Chair from Minister of Education
The letter from Minister Liz Sandals welcomed the Chair and members of the committee to a
new term and thanked everyone for their commitment and contribution to improving services
and programs for students with special needs. The website noted in the letter can be accessed
at http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/elemsec/speced/seac/
c)
Letter to Minister – Upper Grand District School Board (1)
The Special Education Administer explained that the letter is similar to many others as it is in
support of mandatory training for Ontario College of Teachers graduates of the new two year
education program.
d)
Letter to Minister – Upper Grand District School Board (2)
The letter is requesting clarification regarding expectations for the Special Education Report
and Plan. It was noted that there was a different way of reporting in the past; however, this is
not an issue for our Board.
e)
Policies Under Review
Committee members were provided the policies that are currently out for stakeholder input
and were asked to share any feedback regarding these policies to Kathie Zatulsky at
kathie.zatulsky@mail.rrdsb.com, by Monday February 23, 2015. All feedback will be brought
to the attention of the Policy Committee.
f)
Letter to SEAC Members – Invitation to SEAC Provincial Conference
The registration deadline for the SEAC Provincial Conference is March 6, 2015. If any members
are interested in participating, they are asked to contact the Special Education Administrator
prior to that date.
7.
New Business
a) Presentation – Ann Anderson, Speech Language Coordinator
Ann Anderson gave an overview of the role of the Speech Language Pathologist within the
Board and the revised Early Years Screen. The Fluharty Screen has been the standardized
assessment tool. Handouts were provided showing the Fluharty Screen document and a new
tool to be used. The current Early Years Year 1 students have just been screened with the new
screening tool.
8.
Special Education Administrator’s Report
Kelly Forbes, Special Education Administrator for the Rainy River District School Board, provided
highlights of the February report.
9.
Future Meeting
The next Special Education Advisory Committee meeting will be Wednesday, March 11, 2015.
10. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 12:50 p.m.