Board Meeting 10/24/2011

In the board meeting, previous meeting notes were approved and the financial report was approved.  The superintendent verified that all teachers in the district were "highly qualified".  The tax for the comptroller was approved.  Policy FB and DI local was approved (district policy).  The consession plan for UIL had already been put in place.  Authority for imminent domain was discussed.  It was originally mentioned to be discussed at a later time; however, the board had no problem going ahead and approving the forms without further discussion.  The superintendent gave his report reminding board members of classes that were coming up.  He noted that currently there were no reasons to do a RIF.  He discussed a tax on goods form that is currently no use to the school; however, action would need to be taken if business contained warehouses - "Goods in Transit".  The schools will be celebrating Veteran's Day with activities.  A discussion of possible "bonuses" to retain teachers.  He discussed "Equity Litigation" and how it would affect the schools.

In the board meetings, there are issues that at the level of a teacher that are not known.  I will have to research what the FB and DI local are as they are terms that I have never heard of.  I learned about Equity Litigation and how it could affect the school budget.  It amazes me how fast the topics are discussed and approved.

ARD Meeting Thoughts

On Friday October 7, 2011, I attended an ARD on one of my students.  It was an annual ARD on a student that has been diagnosed with Autism.  The principal, SPED Director, classroom teacher, SPED coordinator, and the parent were in attendance.  The SPED teacher that normally works with the student was not present.  An issue that occurred before the meeting even took place involved the coordination of the meeting.  The ARD committee members were not all notified in a timely fashion which caused a conflict for the SPED teacher to not be able to attend.  Throughout the meeting, each aspect of the IEP was discussed.  Somethings I think would have better been explained during the meeting with the SPED teachers being able to explain.  Fortunately, the parent, classroom teacher, and SPED teacher collaborated well during the year, that issues or confusion were minimal.

After speaking to the SPED coordinator that stood in for the meeting, I was informed there were questions that were asked by the SPED Director to the teacher that were unjustified.  For example, modification and accommodations in the classroom should not have been asked when a list of modifications and accommodations were provided to the SPED Director during the meeting.  During the meeting, the classroom teacher informed the committee that math grades would be given through the SPED teacher, but grades would be coordinated with the classroom teacher.  The teacher was informed that this information was not necessary by the SPED Director.  Speaking with the SPED teacher the following school day, the SPED teacher informed the teacher that this information is important to be relayed during the ARD.

As a teacher, the information that should and should not be relayed are confusing.  Further investigation from the principal will be done to clarify what is a teachers responsibility in an ARD?  What is the SPED Director allowed to ask?