O.T. Information Update (continued): Susan explained that she recently hired an O.T. with
twelve years of experience. Susan proposed that she and her two employees will be providing the
OT services for the entire county for the school year as well as the extended school term. She
provided a written proposal for the council members to review showing the breakdown of service
provisions and stated that she believes that her contracted cost would be below the $140,000.00
budgeted for these services. Susan explained that using her service would provide not only
consistent care but a higher level of quality care for the students throughout our county. At the
council member’s request, Susan confirmed that IEP attendance, report writing and all mileage
were factored in to her proposal. Mike Chimente made a motion to approve the proposal for
contracting with Susan Sirias aka Gold Country Occupational Therapy. Rick Brewer seconded the
motion and it carried unanimously. Kathy confirmed to the council members that this contract
would be on a year to year basis.
D. Psychological Services: This item is an update on the two remaining psychologist positions in
the AU. Interviews were conducted recently and barring any complications with the references,
there is a strong possibility that all positions will be filled. Kathy shared that there were
advertisements put in EDJOIN and on the CASP websites and she was surprised at how few
applicants there were. She also shared that currently Mike Harrison will be the lead psychologist
in a supervisory role, as well as, advising and providing direction. John stated that he and Kathy
have been discussing the reasoning behind the low number of applicants for open positions in our
county. He plans on researching the possible need for a salary increase and will bring the results
of that research back to the council at a future meeting. There was discussion of creating a sub-
committee to study this issue and decide what, if anything we can do to attract more applicants for
our teaching and service positions. Claudia Davis will chair this committee and Jim Frost
volunteered to be a participant. Information regarding the progress of this committee will be
provided at a future council meeting.
E. Inclusion Services: Kathy Northington updated the council member on inclusion services. In the
past the council members decided that there was no need for inclusion services county wide,
however, there is a need for these services for the AU programs. To date we have one employee
providing these services three days a week. In addition, Glenn Sewell has contracted with this
employee for additional time this past year. Kathy shared that this employee has agreed to work
full time for the coming year, continuing to provide inclusion services for three days a week but
working in another capacity for the remaining two days. In short, she will not be available for
additional contracted inclusion time. Kathy queried the council as to whether they felt the need to
look for additional help in the inclusion service area. Jim Frost said that CUSD district employs an
own Inclusion Specialist. Mike Chimente shared that BHUHSD has a staff member that can
provide these services although this employee is currently in a different position and he is unsure if
there is enough time in the workday to add inclusion to her duties. Both MTUESD and VUSD
have no one to provide these services. Kathy shared that the AU provided a district wide training
on Inclusion services by Kandis Lighthall for the November 1