• Article Photo. Sarah Larkin presented some information and photos of how technology helps students learn at IBSSS.
    Sarah Larkin presented some information and photos of how technology helps students learn at IBSSS.
  • Article Photo. The Board of Regents met at IBSSS to consider future of the Vinton institution.
    The Board of Regents met at IBSSS to consider future of the Vinton institution.
  • Article Photo. The three main Regents universities are represented in the caps seen in back of this Regent's car.
    The three main Regents universities are represented in the caps seen in back of this Regent's car.

The Iowa Board of Regents met at the Iowa Braille School Tuesday afternoon, after having lunch with the Vinton Lions Club. 

The Regents dealt with a variety of issues, including budgets for the major state university, labor relations in the state education system and others. 

But the major issue for local residents is the future of the Iowa Braille School. 

A few weeks ago, Superintendent Patrick Clancy told the Des Moines Register that the closing of the school is possible. (See that story HERE)

 

Clancy explained that his comments were based on legislative action taken toward the end of the 2010 session in Des Moines. 

The Iowa Legislature has asked that the Board of Regents authorize a study of the residential program at IBSSS as well as the other services offered to visually-impaired students throughout the state through programs administered from the IBSSS campus. 

The study group includes the parents of students who receive services through IBSSS, leaders of several state agencies and universities, and constituent groups such as the Iowa Federation of the Blind, as well as representatives from the campus.

The group has met twice and will meet again this month. Clancy expected the group to present its report to the Regents, who are expected to act on it during their August meeting at the ISU campus. 

The Legislature asked to receive the report by Aug. 31, said Clancy. 

Clancy said it is too soon to tell if the meeting in Vinton impacted the Regents' views on the IBSSS future.

Wednesday's meeting was the first for the Regents at IBSSS in about five years.

"We were very glad to have them at our campus," said Clancy. "The meeting went well they seemed to enjoy being here."

During the meeting, Sara Larkin gave the Regents a presentation of the educational programs offered to IBSSS students. She helps administer those programs at the campus.

The presentation was entitled "A Commitment to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)."

This program, Larkin told the Regents, came from a Carver Grant, and offers more than 100 different tools, as well as training for educators.

The Science Saturday programs include lessons on the physics of sound, magnetism and electricity and levers and pulleys.

The Summer School features geography, archaeological dig and graphing. Problem-solving, the Blast Off Space Camp and probably and genetics are covered in years three and four of the Summer Schooll. 

The program also includes working with staff at UNI and Coe College, she said. 

"I received a lot of compliments about it," she said when asked how the Regents seemed to receive her presentation. 

 

Reader Comments:

 I grew up across the street from the Braille School in Vinton. I had the privilege of interacting with the students there. I was amazed as a child to watch the students in the band at the school march down the street in perfect formation and play well. I miss all the kids at the school out playing and being with their peers. Mainstreaming for some may have its place, but counting students as dollars is wrong. I am glad they have an alumni association and that some memories are passed along to ones who never got to experience them.