Meeting of the Board of Regents | December 2009

Report of

REGENTS VESID COMMITTEE

to

The Board of Regents

December 14, 2009

Your VESID Committee held its scheduled meeting on December 14, 2009.   All

members were present with the exception of Regent Norwood who was excused.  Chancellor Emeritus Bennett also attended.                                      

MATTERS REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

              The Committee voted (with the exception of Regent Bowman who was not in attendance at the time of the vote) to approve the adoption of the proposed amendment of section 100.5 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education to extend the existing Regents Competency Test (RCT) Safety Net to all eligible students with disabilities entering grade 9 prior to the 2011-12 school year.  (VESID (A) 1)

MATTERS NOT REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

              Deputy Commissioner Cort advised the Committee that the Department was co-chairing an Interagency Task Force on Autism with the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.  The task force is charged with identifying needed cross systems activities in an effort to improve the interagency coordination of supports and services and to maximize resources for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and their families in New York State. 

              Deputy Commissioner Cort discussed certain issues related to the State Operated Schools and the exploration of ideas to expand services.      The Committee requested that a letter be prepared to go to the Executive regarding the reduction in funding for the 4201 schools in the recent deficit reduction package.  The letter should reflect the Regents’ position that this severely disabled group of students should not be singled out for a funding reduction given the legislative intention to hold harmless most education funding.  The letter should also suggest that discussions begin regarding the possibility of moving the 4201 schools to a rate setting methodology which would remove the dependence on a targeted State appropriation.

              Staff provided an update on the continued progress of the Designing our Future Project, including key outcomes and initiatives implemented as part of the design effort centered around four key themes: improved marketing of VESID services to consumers and businesses; enhanced collaboration with stakeholders; expanded and diversified outreach to consumers; and redesigned district office staffing structures. (VESID (D) 1)

That concludes our report.