October 1, 2009 Meeting Minutes

Lynn Wiltrout called the meeting to order at 10:16 a.m.

In attendance were: Linda Chernitsky, Toni Lozar, Mitzi Miller, Donna Furnier, Donna Downing, Christie Vitale, Pat Milioto, Dr. Way de Killmeyer, D.J. DiMascio, Ron Korintus, and Rikki Wilson.

Introductions were made. Mitzi welcomed the superintendents and reminded them that may send someone else in their place if they are unable to attend. She would like to see some teachers attend.

Mitzi welcomed Pat from Tim Solobay's office. Pat will take our concerns back to Tim.

Old Business

A motion was made by Mitzi to approve the September minutes. Pat seconds the motion.

New Business

Pat wanted questions to take back to Mr. Solobay. The questions are as follows:

Mitzi ask that Mr. Solobay also come and listen to the concerns of the superintendents. She wants to be able to advertise when Mr. Solobay presents so that we can draw a larger crowd. Pat will contact Rikki and let her know when we can get this scheduled.

Persons arriving late introduced themselves.

D.J. Dimascio provided us with information from a presentation that she held at Ringgold School District. There were two great handouts, a PowerPoint with an activity and Internet safety book. We went over the activity and Rikki will have the answers typed up to hand out at the next meeting. Lynn and Mitzi will review the Internet safety book and see if it is appropriate to hand out at the next meeting. D.J. also stated that Ringgold handed out the Local Task Force brochures at their open house. D.J. also passed around some critical thinking items for the members to review.

D.J. said that her district passed out the LTF information because Mitzi spoke at the LEA meeting. Mitzi would like every district to put LTF on the procedural safeguards.

Rikki will copy the packets that were distributed at the ODR training on conflict resolution for the next meeting.

Mitzi stated that she does not recommend due process to any parent. She feels districts need to educate their parents so that this process can be avoided. This could possibly eliminate the 800 due processes filed in PA.

Mitzi feels that parents need to open the lines of communication with their school districts. She would like a list of the district staff placed in the resource packets.

Lynn feels that procedural safeguards should be sent with the invitation and not at the IEP meetings. This would give parents the resources they need to be prepared to go into the IEP meeting.

Toni advised the members that the state would be hold several parent trainings this year. She will give us more information as it becomes available.

Mitzi thanked Ringgold for coming in with information for us. She would like the LEAs to contact LTF to collaborate on trainings. Donna offered her building for a meeting and/or training.

Lynn also thanked D.J. and advised the other districts in attendance that if they hold trainings we would appreciate any information they would like to bring for us.

Lynn reviewed the information that was given out in the packets.

Mitzi wanted to mention the bullying training. The special needs kids are targeted more and she feels parents should be educated on bullying.

Lynn advised that CASSP has a website with a lot of information on bullying.

CYS will be holding youth forums. If anyone is interested please call Josie at 724-944-0429.

Open Forum

Lynn thanked the new parent, Ron, for attending. He thanked us for the invitation and feels he that it was beneficial.

Mitzi would really like to get LEAs to attend our meetings.

Mitzi motioned to close the meeting at 11:20 a.m., Pat second the motion. The next meeting will be held November 5, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. at the IU1 Educational Campus at Colonial.

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