Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10 SEAC Report 4 9 Feb 2006 Minutes Public0 7J,J_ Revised 1 March 2006 OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD REPORT NO. 4 SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE To: The Board Date: 9 February 2006 A special meeting of the Special Education Advisory Committee was held this evening in the Board Room, 133 Greenbank Road, Ottawa, commencing at 7:40 p.m. with Myrna Laurenceson in the Chair and the following also in attendance: TRUSTEE MEMBERS: Bronwyn Funiciello and David Moen OTHER TRUSTEES: Alex Getty, Lynn Scott and Joan Spice ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVES: Elizabeth Buckingham, Association for Bright Children, Susanne Striegler, Autism Society Ontario — Ottawa Chapter, Greg Bonnah, Integration Action Group, Roy Cooper, Learning Disabilities Association of Ottawa, Lamar Mason, Pam Fitzgerald, Ottawa - Carleton Assembly of School Councils, and, Myrna Laurenceson, Ottawa - Carleton Association for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (SEAL Co- Chair). COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES: Mary Bush STAFF: Lorne Rachlis, Director of Education, Glenda Stevenson, Superintendent, Learning Support Services, Michael Carson, Superintendent of Facilities, Cathy Nevins, Superintendent of Instruction, Cindy Alce, Principal of Special Education, Mari Murray, Vice - Principal of Special Education, Robert Flewelling, Manager of Field Services, Maggie Melenhorst, Manager, Communications and Information Services, Sue Bingham, Learning Support Consultant, Tanya Hall, Learning Support Consultant — Dual Diagnosis, Bill Morton, Learning Support Consultant — Gifted, and Kim Young, Committee Coordinator. NON - VOTING REPRESENTATIVES: Cindy Dubuc, Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation ( OSSTF) — Educational Assistants (EAs), Christine DiZazzo, OSSTF — Professional Student Services Personnel (PSSP), and Marilyn Redmond, Ottawa - Carleton Elementary Operations Committee (EOC). Call to Order Co -chair Laurenceson called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. Approval of Agenda On a motion by Roy Cooper, the agenda was approved as presented. Public Question Period Stefan Ginder referred to report No. 06 -035 regarding the recommendations for specialized classes and programs for 2006 -2007, and asked why the report did not include data on projected enrolment. He also asked whether the anticipated primary cap was included in the Special Education Advisory Committee 1 9 February 2006 projections, and whether the Board would be giving special education students priority should there be inadequate space in schools. Superintendent Stevenson noted that requests for enrolment data have been provided to the members of the public upon request. She will ensure that the information is provided to Mr. Ginder. With respect to the primary gap, Superintendent Stevenson indicated that it would have a wide ranging impact on the system as a whole, but it cannot be assumed that the primary cap would have a specific impact on specialized classes /programs. Brigitte Baginski referred to item No. 17 in report No. 06 -035 regarding recommendations for specialized programs and classes for 2006 -2007, and asked for clarification regarding the statement that special education students currently in a specialized program would have a placement in an alternate program. She enquired about the Board's plans regarding the relocation of these students, and the associated transportation cost. Superintendent Stevenson explained that staff notified all of the parents of the exceptional students affected by the proposed recommendations regarding their children's possible relocation. Staff also provided information to parents regarding the potential relocation of students at the public consultation meetings held in December 2005 and January 2006. Transportation costs for these students cannot be calculated until the students' relocations have been confirmed, and bus routes established. She noted that, in some cases, students would be relocated to schools that are closer to their homes. Superintendent Stevenson pointed out that with respect to the redirection of students, staff have not recommended the establishment of any new classes, in that students would be relocated to existing spaces in existing classes. Pam Fitzgerald noted that parents and students at Lisgar Collegiate Institute would welcome the placement of the Dual Diagnosis Unit at the school. She requested that the Board ensure that the program is not placed in a classroom in the basement of the school. Superintendent Stevenson reported that Planning staff have assessed the proposed space for the classroom. There is no presumption that the program would operate from that classroom, but it might be one of the rooms that the Dual Diagnosis Unit, as well as other classes, rotates through as part of the school's timetabling. She noted that there are other classrooms situated in the school's basement, including a computer lab beside the proposed new classroom. Superintendent Carson noted that the proposed classroom measures approximately 750 square feet, similar to that of other classrooms across the system. Ms. Fitzgerald expressed the view that she did not receive a response from staff to her question regarding the basement classroom. Delegation: Susan Derby, Zone Representative and Maureen Martyn, Secretary, Centennial PS School Council re: Recommendations for Specialized Classes/ Programs - 2006 -2007 Maureen Martyn and Susan Derby expressed concerns regarding the proposed relocation of the Deaf /Hard of Hearing (DHH) program from Centennial Public School to Vincent Massey Special Education Advisory Committee 2 9 February 2006 Public School, noting that parents feel that students who are DHH need to be integrated with other DHH children to best improve their language, social and cognitive skills, rather than be integrated with hearing students. They also expressed concern that the relocation would affect children's continued enrolment in the DHH program, and noted that the relatively low level of sign language communication required when hiring DHH teachers and assistants negatively impacts on students' learning and development, which will be exacerbated by the proposed relocation of the program. Ms. Martyn and Ms. Derby asked that the Board reject the staff recommendation to relocate the DHH program from Centennial to Vincent Massey Public School, and address parents' concerns as outlined in the presentation. With regard to the staff recommendation that one Physical Support Unit (PSU) at Centennial Public School be closed, Ms. Martyn and Ms. Derby outlined the school councils concerns: The relocation of the students in the PSU to Sir Guy Carleton SS, where they will not be part of an established unit, and where the required supports, including physical infrastructure are not in place. It is important to consider the needs of future students who may require the services of a PSU. They questioned the emphasis placed by staff on relocating students in the PSU to integrate with their age appropriate peers. Parents pointed out the importance for students to have a sense of security, and the comfort of a familiar setting and teachers to facilitate learning. Ms. Martyn and Ms. Derby asked the Board to reject the staff recommendation to close one PSU at Centennial Public School based solely on current demographics, pedagogy and resources. Lamar Mason requested a clarification regarding the feeder schools for Vincent Massey Public School. Ms. Derby explained that if the DHH program is relocated to Vincent Massey Public School, these students would graduate from Grade 8 into the DHH program at Glebe Collegiate Institute, while the students in the regular program at Vincent Massey Public School would feed into other secondary schools. If the rationale for relocating the DHH program to Vincent Massey Public School is to ensure that these students are integrated with age appropriate peers in the regular program, the division of the DHH students and regular students after Grade 8 would defeat this purpose. Trustee Spice also expressed concern that if the DHH program is relocated from Centennial Public School to Vincent Massey Public School in an effort to integrate the DHH students with their age- appropriate peers, the recommendation is based on a faulty rationale given that these DHH students would not be moving on to the same secondary school as the students in the regular program, given that the secondary DHH program is located at Glebe Collegiate Institute, and many of the students in the regular program would be directed to Hillcrest High School. Co -chair Laurenceson thanked the presenters for their delegation. Special Education Advisory Committee 3 9 February 2006 Hal Grossner, Chair, Sir Guy Carleton SS School Council re Recommendations for Specialized Classes /Programs - 2006 -2007 Hal Grossner provided a written submission in support of the staff recommendation to establish a Physical Support Unit (PSU) at Sir Guy Carleton Secondary School. Specialized Classes /Programs 2006 -2007 - Recommendations Your Committee had before it report No. 06 -035 seeking input on the final recommendations for changes in the type and location of specialized classes /programs for the 2006 -2007 school year. Superintendent Stevenson presented a summary of the report, noting that the report will also be presented to the 20 February 2006 meeting of the Education Committee, after which the Board will make its decision on the recommendations at the 27 February 2006 Board meeting. Superintendent Stevenson provided an overview of the communication and consultation process undertaken regarding the proposed special education recommendations for 2006 -2007, as well as a summary of the public input received. She indicated that staff considered all of the public input received, and based on a thorough analysis of the class and program changes required to best meet the needs of students, are recommending the same list of proposed changes as those presented in report No. 05 -257 in November 2005. In response to a number of queries, Superintendent Stevenson noted that staff considered sites other than Lisgar Collegiate Institute for the Dual Diagnosis program, including Hillcrest High School, Brookfield High School and Canterbury High School. Lisgar was the best option to meet the needs of students. Superintendent Carson indicated that the addition of a portable at Lisgar, in part given the site restrictions, would be more costly than renovating a classroom. In response to Trustee Moen's query about the existing Dual Diagnosis classes in OCDSB secondary schools, staff reported that each class spends most or all of the day in one room, that they do not rotate through classrooms, and that no other classes use their rooms. Elizabeth Buckingham commented that students in the Dual Diagnosis program generally require more gymnasium time than regular students. Given the fact that the gymnasium at Lisgar is already over - utilized, Ms. Buckingham asked how staff would accommodate the needs of students in the Dual Diagnosis classes. Superintendent Stevenson noted that principals are responsible for arranging class schedules to meet the needs of all students. She agreed however, to take Ms. Buckingham's comments under advisement. With respect to the staff recommendation to relocate the French Immersion (FI) Gifted program from Maple Ridge Elementary School to Fallingbrook Community Elementary School, Trustee Moen referred to a wall map in the Board Room indicating the location of OCDSB schools across the region, and pointed out that Henry Larsen Public School, located centrally in Orleans, would appear to be the geographic centre of the area for FI students that require the FI Gifted program. He questioned why staff are proposing to * addition Special Education Advisory Committee 4 9 February 2006 relocate students from the over - utilized Maple Ridge Elementary School to Fallingbrook Community Elementary School which will result in that school being overcrowded. Superintendent Stevenson reported that the parents of Gifted primary students in the FI program at Fallingbrook have indicated a preference for their children to remain in the program at the intermediate level, and for the program to remain in the far eastern area of the district. Bill Morton noted that the map indicates the location of students currently in the FI program, not projected enrolment, and includes those students who are currently in Grade 8 and who will be moving on to secondary school. During a brief discussion of the primary cap, Superintendent Carson noted that if the Ministry establishes the cap, the OCDSB will face a number of challenges related to funding and facilities. The impact of the cap cannot be known at this time, and staff has presented recommendations for specialized classes and programs based on the best information available at this time. Director Rachlis noted that school boards are continuing to work with the Ministry on the issue of the primary cap and the anticipated negative impact it will have on many school boards, including the OCDSB, where the cap would likely result in boundary reviews, and more split grade classes. In response to Trustee Funiciello's query, Superintendent Carson confirmed that the OCDSB is currently working on a program plan as the preliminary step in the development of a capital plan, to address the impact of the primary cap. Trustee Funiciello asked whether staff took into account the system needs beyond 2007 when the proposed recommendations for specialized classes and programs for 2006- 2007 were developed. She asked staff whether the proposed classroom and program changes will accommodate not only the students currently in the classroom, but also potential future students, given that the Board has not yet undertaken the IPRC process this year. Trustee Funiciello noted that there appears to have been disparate enrolment data provided to trustees and members of the public. She asked staff to provide the projected enrolment data upon which the recommendations are based on as soon as possible. In response to Trustee Funiciello's queries about enrolment projections, staff indicated that there are a number of factors that impact on enrolment at schools. While staff do take into consideration the identification rates of students by postal code when making specialized class /program recommendations, parents make decisions about where to enroll their identified children and in what programs based on a number of factors, apart from the characteristics of a particular school. Trustee Moen expressed the view that there is a correlation between the likelihood of an identified Gifted student enrolling in a Gifted program and the geographic distance of that student to the program. Trustee Spice noted that the staff report might not accurately reflect the comments made at a consultation meeting regarding the level of sign language interpretation required. She asked staff to provide a clarification at the 20 February 2006 Education Committee meeting. Superintendent Stevenson agreed to take the issue under advisement. Special Education Advisory Committee 5 9 February 2006 Trustee Moen requested that staff provide, at the 20 February 2006 Education Committee meeting, the projected enrolment figures on a grade by grade basis for 2006- 2007 and 2007 -2008 for Bridlewood Community Elementary School. Superintendent Carson agreed to provide the preliminary data. Mary Bush expressed appreciation to staff for the extensive work involved in developing the recommendations and consulting with the public. She expressed the view that given that the staff recommendations remained the same following the public consultation, it would have been useful for report No. 06 -035 to have included more detailed information regarding staffs rationale on a recommendation by recommendation basis, for retaining the same recommendations that were first presented to SEAC late in 2005. Trustee Getty asked that staff provide information regarding the disparate enrolment data that has been distributed by staff and referred to at this meeting. In response to Trustee Getty's queries, Superintendent Stevenson noted that the recommendations for specialized classes for 2006 -2007 are the result of a staff analysis of the needs of special education students across the system. She expressed confidence in staffs projections regarding enrolment, and noted that the enrolment data provided in response to queries would vary dependent on the scenarios or options to which it was applied. Superintendent Stevenson confirmed that, with respect to the long -term nature of the recommendations, staff presented recommendations for the type and location of specialized classes that would best serve the students, for example, students in Dual Diagnosis programs tend to remain in the program until the age of 21. In response to Trustee Funiciello's queries about the closure of the PSU at Centennial Public School and the establishment of a PSU at Sir Guy Carleton Secondary School, Superintendent Stevenson indicated that currently there may be three additional students requiring a PSU at the elementary level for 2006 -2007. Staff took into account the long term needs of students requiring PSU services, and based on the best information available at this time, are confident that there will be an adequate number of spaces available to meet these students' needs. * * * * The meeting recessed at 9:40 p.m. and resumed at 9:50 p.m. * * * * Lamar Mason moved THAT SEAC recommend that the Board approve the following changes to specialized classes and programs for the 2006 -2007 school year: A. Closure of 1 PSU at Centennial Public School, B. Establishment of 1 PSU at Sir Guy Carleton Secondary School, C. Relocation of DHH from Centennial Public School to Vincent Massey Public School, D. Closure of Dual Diagnosis program at Fielding Drive Public School, E Closure of Dual Diagnosis program at Henry Munro Middle School, F. Relocation of Dual Diagnosis program from Crystal Bay Centre for Special Education to Bridlewood Community Elementary School, G. Establishment of a Dual Diagnosis program at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School, H. Establishment of a Dual Diagnosis program at Lisgar Collegiate Institute, Special Education Advisory Committee 6 9 February 2006 I. Relocation of the French Immersion Gifted program from Maple Ridge Elementary School to Fallingbrook Community Elementary School, J. Closure of 1 French Immersion Gifted program at Vincent Massey Public School, K. Closure of the final French Immersion Gifted class at Vincent Massey Public School in 2007 -2008, L. The addition of one FTE teacher for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) class, M. The addition of one FTE Physiotherapist, and, N. The addition of staff as required for the French Immersion Gifted classes at Fallingbrook Community Elementary School. In introducing the motion, Ms. Mason expressed the view that the more specialized classes that are established in K -Grade 8 schools, the more likely it is that the groundwork will be laid for the long term placement of these students in programs. Ms. Mason referred to the significant distance between Centennial Public School and Sir Guy Carleton Secondary School and noted the need for another Physiotherapist to meet the needs of students in the current Centennial Public School program and the new one at Sir Guy Carleton Secondary School. Ms. Mason emphasized that there are other factors impacting on the staff recommendations, including the primary cap and the new Gifted identification rates. She expressed the view that SEAC needs to try to ensure that special education students' needs are met on an ongoing basis, based on the best information available at the time. SEAC's responsibility is to ensure that as many resources as possible are properly allocated to the students currently in the system. Greg Bonnah moved in amendment THAT the Dual Diagnosis Unit at Lisgar Collegiate Institute be relocated to Hillcrest High School. In speaking to the amendment, Mr. Bonnah pointed out that staff who are experienced in meeting the needs of students with a Dual Diagnosis are already in place at Hillcrest High School. The amendment was defeated. Members speaking in support of the motion agreed that, with respect to the proposed closure of the FI Gifted program at Vincent Massey Public School, the program cannot be sustained with only 8 to 10 students enrolled. Members speaking against the motion noted that SEAC has a responsibility to ensure that students are not moved from one school to another for one year at a time. They also indicated that the primary class caps will likely be in place in 2007 -2008. They expressed opposition to the establishment of a Dual Diagnosis Unit at Lisgar Collegiate Institute, noting that staff has not confirmed that these student will not be placed in the basement classroom on a full -time basis. In wrap -up, Ms. Mason pointed out that the motion does not include information as to where the students will be redirected if the French Immersion Gifted program at Vincent Massey Public School is closed. Mr. Bonnah requested that each part of the motion be voted on separately. On a separate vote, Parts A through N of the motion were carried. Special Education Advisory Committee 7 9 February 2006 On a motion by Lamar Mason your Committee therefore recommends: THAT SEAC recommend that the Board approve the following changes to specialized classes and programs for the 2006 -2007 school year: A. Closure of 1 PSU at Centennial Public School, B. Establishment of 1 PSU at Sir Guy Carleton Secondary School, C. Relocation of DHH from Centennial Public School to Vincent Massey Public School, D. Closure of Dual Diagnosis program at Fielding Drive Public School, E Closure of Dual Diagnosis program at Henry Munro Middle School, F. Relocation of Dual Diagnosis program from Crystal Bay Centre for Special Education to Bridlewood Community Elementary School, G. Establishment of a Dual Diagnosis program at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School, H. Establishment of a Dual Diagnosis program at Lisgar Collegiate Institute, I. Relocation of the French Immersion Gifted program from Maple Ridge Elementary School to Fallingbrook Community Elementary School, J. Closure of 1 French Immersion Gifted program at Vincent Massey Public School, K. Closure of the final French Immersion GIFTED class at Vincent Massey Public School in 2007 -2008, L. The addition of one FTE TEACHER for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) class, M. The addition of one FTE Physiotherapist, and, N. The addition of staff as required for the French Immersion Gifted classes at Fallingbrook community elementary School. The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m. Hal Grossner, Co -Chair Myrna Laurenceson, Co -Chair Special Education Advisory Committee Special Education Advisory Committee * Recommendation dealt with at the 27 February 2006 Board meeting. Special Education Advisory Committee 8 9 February 2006