FACE Meeting Minutes
December 13, 2006

Welcome

·Introduction of Marsha Warden, Chairperson of the Metropolitan Nashville Board of Education
·Introduction of parents attending the FACE meeting

Old Business

·Newsletter

Possible topics

§Transition, summer camps, diplomas, child find

§Send ideas to Charlene

·Parent Dictionary

oCirculate ideas for dictionary by e-mail to FACE members

oSpanish version

oSend ideas to Charlene

·Web site ideas

oSend to Charlene

Conversation with Marsha Warden

·Avi presented an overview of FACE and explained purpose

·The following topics were discussed:

oThe nursing contract for Metro schools is up for bid

oThe Board and the Department of Special Education need to communicate with each other

§Special Education needs a voice when issues (Ex: balanced calendar and dress code) are discussed at the Board level

§FACE should attend a linkage meeting with the Board members

oInclusion

§Inclusion needs to be a district priority from the top down

§Inclusion needs a single district definition

§Inclusion for many students with disabilities ends after elementary school

§Lack of staff to implement inclusive practices

§School administrators outside Special Education have limited knowledge about inclusion

§Inclusion means high standards for all

§Training is needed for general education teachers in dealing with students with disabilities

§Surrounding districts have low cost inclusive models that be implemented in Metro

oDiscipline and behavior supports

§Metro should use positive behavior strategies with all students

§Special education parents should want all students to held accountable

§Current discipline models are build on out-dated theories that punish the student rather than attempt to fix the problem

oMIP issues

§Many good programs

§Concept is good, but needs refinement

§Many students never leave MIP

oStudent success past high school

§Vanderbilt is offering a job training program for students with a disability

·Upon completion of the program, students are hired by Vanderbilt

§Students with disabilities can hold jobs and be productive citizens in our society

§All high schools need transition programs

§Metro could contract with outside agencies or service providers for job opportunities and training for our students

oDiploma issue

oCommunication with the new district wide call system

oNCLB and budget issues have resulted in a loss of related arts and PE positions

oBudget forecast for the 2007-2008 school currently shows a 8 million dollar short fall

oLong term district strategic planning will involve the community

oEducation assistant pay needs to be increased

Next meeting is January 17, 2007