Diocese of Covington - Education at PO Box 15550, Covington, KY 41015-0550 US - January 11, 2006

Members present: Mary Ann Grimm, Anita Dunn, Sister Mary Francis Dirr, S.N.D., Jan Ankenbauer, Phil Gessner, Mary Kay Laird

Staff: Mr. Michael Quigley

Guest: Kelly Flynn

Meeting opened with prayer by Mike Quigley at 3:45p.m.

Mary Ann Grimm welcomed Kelly Flynn, parent of a special needs child.

Approved by consensus. Follow up to minutes from Phil Gessner that Children’s Hospital has changed due to privacy laws. Parents must bring or request presence of teachers or counselors.

Mike Quigley presented members with a balance of $1190.39. Several requests have come in response to announcement of moneys to help schools with subs as teachers go to in services. One school was approved before others came in. Discussion of how much of fund should be allotted. Phil Gessner suggested 20% of our funds per year. Members agreed. This amounts to approximately $238.00. Holy Cross High Schools request for $139 was approved. Two other requests will be reviewed in February.

Further discussion related to the Committee hosting talks by Springer, etc. instead of individual schools funding talks. This would help money to go further. Discussion also came up about applying for grants. Members will search for grants available esp. those from Diocese.

The priority action at the meeting was to evaluate nominations for the Sister Dorothy Inclusive Education Award for 2006. Two nominations were received. After evaluating members agreed to present award to Newport Central Catholic for their program and evidence of success.

Discussion continued on sending letter of notice to both schools nominated.

Mary Kay Laird reported that Father Michael Due seems very receptive to working with the committee toward inclusiveness in our schools. Members discussed brainstorming ideas with principals and resource teachers.

Kelly Flynn whose son Brody has Down syndrome mentioned that she and her husband have trained sitters and teachers to their son’s needs. They have a vision of a resource place to train people. She feels the committee has a good start toward this. Discussion continued on having speakers and making available a list of Catholic School services available.

Mike Quigley has requested names of Special ed/resource teachers. He will put out request again. Mary Kay Laird suggested offering a breakfast or social and round robin question format to get ideas of topics. Phil Gessner suggested that from this group we could get names of teachers who are good with children.

Meeting adjourned at 5:20p.m.

The next meeting will be held at St. Agnes Rectory Conference Room on Wednesday, February 8th, at 3:45 p.m.

Directions: If you park to the right of the church, you will see the Mary Grotto. There is a sidewalk just to the left of the statue which leads down a set of steps next to the rectory and under the deck. The Conference room is the last door. You could also go to the main church office and the secretary will send you down.

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