MID-STATE SPECIAL EDUCAITON
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
April 28, 2009
Dr. David Lett, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. at the Pana High
School library in Pana, Illinois.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mr. Wes Wells, Morrisonville; Ms. Lynda Irvin, Edinburg; Dr. David Lett, Pana; Ms.
Charlotte Davis, South Fork; Ms. Melanie Allyn, Bond County; Mr. Doug Slover,
Brownstown; Ms. Deb Philpot, St. Elmo; Mr. Rich Well, Vandalia; Ms. Barb Shute,
Ramsey; Michael Kelly, Carlinville; Ms. Connie Woods, Panhandle; Mr. Don Burton,
Hillsboro; Mr. Michael Juenger, Litchfield.
PRESENTATION OF PROXIES:
Dr. David Lett, Pana, for Dr. Gregg Fuerstenau, Taylorville; Mr. Doug Slover,
Brownstown, for Mr. Chuck Stortzum, Nokomis.
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Dr. Gregg Fuerstenau, Taylorville; Mr. Chuck Stortzum, Nokomis; Mr. Greg Irwin,
Mulberry Grove.
OTHERS PRESENT:
Ms. Alison Boutcher, Director; Ms. Brenda Patrick, Assistant Director, Christian Region;
Ms. Angela Armour, Assistant Director, Montgomery County/Carlinville Region; Ms.
Joyce Carman, Assistant Director, Bond/Fayette Region; and Mrs. Tammy Hadley,
Recorder/Secretary.
Visitors: Jeff Durbin, Technology Consultant from Computer Techniques, Inc., and Scott
Savage, Pana Technical Coordinator.
Dr. Lett introduced the visitors. Dr. Lett and Ms. Boutcher spoke briefly about the online
board packets and paperless board meetings beginning with the April meeting.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Presented for review and approval:
 Regular Session Minutes from March 24, 2009.
 Recommendation for destruction of Executive Session audio recordings older
than 18 months.
 Payables – monthly bills list for April totaling $128,478.24 and one cash pay for
$2,175.00 for the shredding service used in March.
 Statement of Position – as of March 31, 2009, the fund balance for MSSE was
$891,604.15.
 Receipts vs. Expenditures – Ms. Boutcher presented the March receipts vs.
expenditures as well as the projections for April.
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
Ms. Boutcher also reported that she submitted a hardship request to the
comptroller’s office regarding personnel reimbursement payments. The 2nd
quarter payment was received on Friday, April 24th. Hopefully, as a result of the
hardship request, the 3rd quarter payment will also be released.
Motion to approve all items on the consent agenda as recommended: Ms. Woods; second,
Mr. Wells. Roll call yielded 15 yeas, 0 nays. Motion carried.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
MSSE Website – Jeff Durbin from CTI, reported on the new MSSE website and showed
members some of the new features.
Program Coordinator Position in Bond/Fayette Region – This past year, the program
coordinator service was provided by two Bond County staff members, Scott Pasley and
Liz Miller. Ms. Boutcher reported that the Bond/Fayette Region Board has decided to fill
this position next year with a MSSE coordinator. A vacancy notice will be posted, and
Ms. Boutcher and Ms. Carman will be conducting interviews. Once a candidate has been
found, a recommendation for hire will be brought to the Executive Committee.
Reading Pilot Update – Ms. Boutcher provided an update on the various reading pilots
that have been ongoing since February. As a result of the pilots, the Lexia Strategies will
not be used, but Reading Plus and Failure Free Reading were found to be useful. The
next steps will be implementation of the two programs and a continued search for viable
programs.
Finance Committee – Ms. Boutcher reminded members that the finance committee
would meet immediately following the board meeting.
IDEA ARRA Grant Guidelines – Ms. Boutcher provided a copy and discussed some of
the guidelines regarding the use of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
funds. IDEA ARRA funds must be used for excess costs associated with providing
education to children with disabilities and must meet the requirements of the IDEA grant.
Ms. Boutcher plans to bring recommendations regarding expenditures and subgrants to
districts to the May board meeting.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Second Reading and Adoption of Revised Policies – Ms. Boutcher recommended
adoption the following policies:
 4:55 Use of Credit and Procurement Cards
 5:35 Compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act
 5:310 Compensatory Time-Off
Motion to approve adoption as recommended: Mr. Slover; second, Ms. Woods. Voice
vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
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NEW BUSINESS:
Approval of Job Descriptions – Ms. Boutcher presented job descriptions for Special
Education Teacher, Speech/Language Pathologist, and Paraprofessional. The team
worked on the descriptions with input from Bushue Human Resources and legal counsel,
and met with the unions in Christian and Montgomery County/Carlinville Regions.
Agreement has been reached with the union with the exception of the last paragraph
under Essential Job Functions which states:
“Employees in this position must be able to (a) sit for extended
periods of time, (b) type/enter data into computer, (c) stand, walk,
bend over, reach, push/pull up to 10 lbs., and lift/carry up to 25 lbs.”
The union has a concern with “lift/carry up to 25 lbs.” Ms. Boutcher recommended
approval of the job descriptions with the condition that she has the authority to make an
adjustment, if necessary, as she continues to have discussions with the union.
Motion to approve job descriptions as recommended subject to necessary adjustments
that may need to be made by the director: Ms. Irvin; second, Mr. Well. Voice vote was
unanimous. Motion carried.
Approval of CTI Contract – Ms. Boutcher presented a contract from Computer
Techniques, Inc. for computer and technical consulting for FY10. The fees remain the
same as last year’s contract, $3,600.00 per month. Ms. Boutcher commented on the
excellent service CTI has provided for MSSE this year.
Motion to approve contract as recommended: Ms. Irvin; second, Ms. Allyn. Roll call
yielded 15 yeas, 0 nays. Motion carried.
Approval of Therakids Contract – Ms. Boutcher presented a contract from Therakids
for Occupational Therapy services for FY10. The addendum reflects a 2% increase over
the rate charged for FY09. Ms. Boutcher explained that IDEA funds are used to pay for
these services, and the therapists and therapy assistants continue to provide excellent
service to MSSE.
Motion to approve contract as recommended: Mr. Slover; second, Mr. Well. Roll call
yielded 15 yeas, 0 nays. Motion carried.
Morrisonville Office Building
 Ms. Boutcher provided an update on the asbestos inspection and requested
approval of the contract for sale and resolution.
Motion to approve contract for sale and accompanying resolution: Mr. Burton; second,
Mr. Wells. Roll call yielded 15 yeas, 0 nays. Motion carried.

Ms. Boutcher provided board members with a copy of the Preliminary Proposed
Project Cost Estimate from Architect John Renken of Fitch-Fitzgerald, Inc. and
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reviewed the costs listed. Ms. Boutcher also informed board members of the
funds currently available, which include funds from IDEA carry-over and
unbudgeted Medicaid Administrative Outreach. Ms. Boutcher outlined a few
costs not included in the architect’s estimate – parking lot, security system,
combination of gas/electric meters.
Motion to authorize director to proceed with the proposed cost estimate: Mr. Wells;
second, Mr. Well. Roll call yielded 15 yeas, 0 nays. Motion carried.
Proposed FY09 Budget Amendment – Ms. Boutcher explained the need for an
additional Governing Board meeting in June to amend the FY09 budget due to the
acquisition of the Morrisonville office building. June 8th was the date suggested for the
meeting. An email will be sent to superintendents following the board meeting to
determine if enough district board members will be available on June 8th to have a
quorum.
DISCUSSION:
The next monthly meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. at the
Taylorville Unit Office, 512 Spresser Street in Taylorville.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion to adjourn at 11:55 a.m.: Mr. Juenger; second by Mr. Slover. Voice vote was
unanimous. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Mrs. Tammy Hadley, Recorder
Dr. David Lett, Chairman
Date
Mrs. Tammy Hadley, Secretary
Date
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