bi-county collaborative fy 15 annual report · bi-county collaborative fy 15 annual report 3 letter...

Bi-County Collaborative FY 15 Annual Report

1

ANNUAL REPORT

FY15

Administrative Offices

397 East Central Street

Franklin, MA 02038

508-520-1998

www.bicounty.org

http://www.bicounty.org/


2

Table of Contents

Executive Director’s Letter 3

Governance & Leadership 4

Mission & Vision 5

General Information 5-8

Program Descriptions 9- 21

Achievement of Purpose & Objectives 22-24

Cost Effectiveness of Programs & Services 25-29

Student Outcomes 30-32

Financial Information 33 -34

Independent Audit 35


3

Letter from the Executive Director

Dear Bi-County Collaborative Community,

This Annual Report represents Bi-County’s work in providing high quality, specialized and

individualized programs and services to students and staff from over 43 school districts during the 2014-

2015 school year.

Information contained in this report highlights Bi-County’s Governance and Leadership as well as the

Collaborative’s Mission, Core Values and Vision. Bi-County Collaborative educational programs and

services are described in detail along with data representing the cost effectiveness of our programs and

services in comparison to substantially similar private school programs. The priority at the Bi-County

Collaborative is to partner with member and non-member districts in serving students with disabilities in

programs that minimize impact of disability and maximize opportunity for learning, growth and success

in learning and in life. At the end of this report Bi-County’s Independent Auditor’s report is attached as a

separate PDF document. Bi-County’s FY 15 audit found the organization to be fiscally healthy, with a

clean audit, and no findings of concern.

In 2015 the Collaborative served 228 students in specialized programs ranging in age from pre-school

through age 22. Bi-County programs address unique needs of our student population who present with

varying abilities and challenges. The focus of all programming at Bi-County is to minimize the impact of

disability and make it possible for all learners to become responsible and contributing members of

society.

Bi-County programs are hosted in member school districts. In 2015 the collaborative provided specialized

programs in the following member school districts: Attleboro, Blackstone-Millville, Foxborough,

Franklin, Mansfield, Norfolk, Norton, North Attleboro, Plainville, and Walpole. Bi-County educational

programs service students with Autism, Communication Impairment, Developmental Delay, Emotional

Impairment, Health Impairment, Intellectual Impairment, Multiple Disabilities, Neurological Impairment,

Physical Impairment, and Specific Learning Disabilities.

Professional development for educators from member and non-member-districts is an integral part of the

work at Bi-County. In 2015 professional development included participation from 9 member districts in a

competitive grant awarded to Bi-County for DDM/Common Measure Development. Bi-County led

specialized instructional staff (school psychologists, speech & language pathologists, and school

adjustment counselors) from 9 member districts in the process of developing DMMs/Common

Assessments in social-emotional learning which included self advocacy, social communication, and self

regulation.

On behalf of the Bi-County Collaborative staff, I extend many thanks to our Board of Directors and

member school districts for continually supporting our mission. It is truly a pleasure to grow and develop

services and programs to meet the varying needs of our student population in partnership with our

member school districts.

Arlene Grubert


4

Board of Directors

Mr. Kenneth Sheehan, Attleboro

Mr. Edward Fleury, Bellingham

Dr. Allen Himmelberger, Blackstone-

Millville

Dr. Andrew Keough, Easton

Mrs. Debra Spinelli, Foxboro

Ms. Maureen Sabolinski, Franklin

Dr. Elizabeth Zielinski, King Philip

Mr. Zeff Gianetti, Mansfield

Mr. Robert Tremblay, Milford

Dr. Ingrid Allardi, Norfolk

Mrs. Suzan Cullen, North Attleboro

Dr. Joseph Baeta, Norton, Vice chair

Mr. David Raiche, Plainville

Mr. Richard Medeiros, Somerset

Mr. Robert Monteiro, Swansea

Mr. Stephen Dockray, Tri-County

Dr. Lincoln Lynch, Walpole, Chair

Dr. Allan Cameron, Wrentham

Operating Committee

Dr. Linda McSweeney, Attleboro

Ms. Rachel Lawrence, Bellingham

Dr. Paul Haughey, Blackstone-Millville

Ms. Teresa Skinner, Easton

Dr. Sandra Einsel, Foxboro

Ms. Elizabeth Fitzmaurice, Franklin

Ms. Audrey Lacher, King Philip

Ms. Bernadette Conroy, Mansfield

Ms. Meg Belsito, Milford

Dr. Anna Tupper, Norfolk

Ms. Julieann Hoell, North Attleboro, Chair

Mrs. Jeanne Sullivan, Norton

Mr. Edward Clarke, Plainville

Dr. Melissa J. Deyo-Silvia, Somerset

Mr. John Robidoux, Swansea

Ms. Adele Sands, Tri-County

Ms. Linda McKelligan, Walpole

Ms. Karen McNamara, Wrentham, Vice-

Chair

Leadership Team

Dr. Arlene Grubert, Executive Director

Ms. Debra Ciccone, Director of Finance

and Operations

Ms. Laurie Cunningham, Program

Director for Clinical Services

Ms. Pamela Ludwig, Program Director

Ms. Jeanne McCrady, Program

Director

Ms. Nancy Regan, Director of Student

Services

Ms. Nancy Whitehouse, School Nurse

Manager

Ms. Roberta Wuilleumier, Program Director

Ms. Ann Zmudsky, Program Director


5

Mission

“Making it possible for all learners to be

responsible and contributing members of society.”

Vision

The Bi-County Collaborative’s vision is driven by what is taught, how it is taught, and

optimal learning experiences and resources provided to our students. By minimizing impact

of disability and maximizing opportunities for learning our students will be:

Respectful and open minded negotiators;

Effective and reliable communicators;

Responsible and collaborative communicators;

Trustworthy and ethical advocators;

Dependable and organized managers;

Innovative and effective problem solvers;

Positive and responsible contributors;

Critical and creative learners and

Self directed and inquisitive thinkers.

General Information

The Bi-County Collaborative (BICO) is a multi-purpose educational collaborative formed

under the provisions of Mass. Gen. Laws c. 40, section 4E. Bi-County Collaborative is a public

entity, governed by a Board of Directors, with each school committee appointing a representative to

the Board. The Operating Committee, which acts in an advisory capacity, consists of member

district’s designated Special Education Administrators.

Bi-County Collaborative consists of eighteen (18) member school districts in Bristol, Norfolk

and Worcester Counties. Member school districts are Attleboro, Bellingham, Blackstone-Millville

Regional, Easton, Franklin, King Philip Regional, Mansfield, Milford, Norfolk, North Attleboro,

Norton, Plainville, Somerset, Swansea, Tri-County Vocational, Walpole, and Wrentham.

School districts do not have to be members to access services; many students served are from non-

member school districts.


6

General Information continued

Years in Service 40

Member Districts 18 Total Districts Served in

2015

43

Employees 138

Programs 19 Students Served 228

Bi-County

Program/Service

Locations

Attleboro, Blackstone Millville , Foxboro , Franklin, King Philip Regional ,

Mansfield , North Attleboro , Norfolk , Norton, Plainville, Tri-County

Regional, and Walpole

Staff Demographics (June 30, 2015)

Executive Director 1

Director of Student Services 1

Program Directors 4

Program Director for Clinical Services 1

School Nurse Manager/Leader 1

Director of Finance & Operations 1

Teachers 26

School Adjustment Counselors 5

Board Certified Behavior Analysts 3

Adaptive Physical Education Teachers 3

Speech & Language Therapists 3

Occupational Therapists 4

Physical Therapists 4

Physical Therapy Assistants 1

Instructional Support Staff 66

Nurses 7

Transition Coordinators 2

Administrative Assistant 1

Student Records & Human Resource

Coordinator

1

Secretary/Receptionist 1

Accounting & Payroll Coordinator 1

Assistant Bookkeeper 1

Total 138


7

Staff Years of Service

Staff Years of Service 2015

Range of Years Staff

0-50 0-5 52

6-10 38

11-15 35

16-20 5

20+ 8

37%

27% 26%

4% 6%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

1

FY 2015

1-5 years

6-10 years

11-15 years

16-20 years

20+ years


8

Bi-County Collaborative Educational Programs and Services

The Bi-County Collaborative is dedicated to providing high quality educational

programming making it possible for all students to become responsible and contributing

members of society. Bi-County has provided specialized educational programs for students ages

3-22 for 40 years.

Bi-County programs address the needs of students with Autism, Communication,

Developmental Delay, Emotional, Health, Intellectual, Neurological, Physical Impairments, and

Specific Learning Disabilities. We take great pride in our specialized and personalized services

for students with varying abilities and challenges. Our dedicated, skilled, and talented teaching

and support staff personalize educational programming for each student to meet their unique

learning, emotional, social, therapeutic, physical and medical needs.

Students in Bi-County Programs benefit greatly from our Clinical resource team. The

expertise of consulting psychologists, psychiatrists, along with Bi-County staff and parents

provides for optimum levels of communication and consistent treatment plans. In addition to

specialized program placements, Bi-County also provides Interim Alternative Education

Assessment settings for students in crisis, at risk, and/or in need of further evaluation.

Bi-County Collaborative educational programs strive to prepare students for independence

so that they may function and be successful in all major domains of living:

Physical and Emotional Wellness

Supportive and Independent Living

Personal and Family Relationships

Social and Leisure Pursuits

Community and Civic Participation

Successful and Fulfilling Employment

Challenging and Changing Environments


9

Bi-County Collaborative Programs & Services

Preschool & Elementary


10


11


12


13

Middle School Programs


14


15


16


17

High School Programs


18


19


20

Adult Programs for Ages 18-22


21


22

Achievement of Purpose and Objectives

The Bi-County Collaborative’s primary purpose and objectives are to provide high quality,

specialized educational programs for students ages 3-22. Bi-County has serviced students both in public

school settings and separate public day school settings for 40 years. Bi-County served a total of 228

students during the 2014-2015 school year. Bi-County educational programs serve students with primary

disabilities of Autism, Communication Impairment, Developmental Delay, Emotional Impairment, Health

Impairment, Intellectual Impairment, Multiple Disabilities, Neurological Impairment, and Specific

Learning Disabilities.

Bi-County Collaborative programs provided services for students with disabilities from 43 public school

districts in FY 15. The majority of Bi-County’s programs and services are located in member school districts. This

affords many students opportunities to access and participate in the general curriculum with their non-disabled

peers. In addition, Bi-County programs include three public separate day schools approved by the Department of

Elementary and Secondary Education for students who require a more restrictive setting. Bi-County Collaborative

programs and services are cost effective in comparison to private special education day school programs and

private agencies that provide substantially similar programs and services. The cost effectiveness and savings for

programs and services offered by Bi-County can be found on pages 25-29 of this report.

Bi-County also provides related services to students who attend collaborative programs as well as to member

districts on a contractual basis. These services include: Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Adaptive Physical

Education, ABA Home Based Services, Assessment & Evaluation Services, BCBA Consultation Services, Clinical

Consultation, Counseling, Extended School Year Service, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Orientation

and Mobility Services, Social Skills Groups, Speech & Language Therapy, and Vision Therapy.

Bi-County manages a Transportation Network for 12 participating districts. The Transportation Network

services both member and non-member school districts. The primary purpose and objective of the Transportation

Network is to provide access to combination transportation routes from surrounding districts and within districts to

achieve an efficient, dependable and cost effective model. The Transportation Network in FY 15 consisted of a 4

vendor model in an effort to create competitive bidding and pricing for transportation routes.

Professional Development to educators on staff at Bi-County as well as to educators from member and non-

member districts is an integral part of Bi-County’s work. In FY 15 Professional Development offerings included

participation from 9 member districts in a competitive grant awarded to Bi-County for DDM/Common Measure

Development. Bi-County led specialized instructional staff (school psychologists, speech & language pathologists,

and school adjustment counselors) from 9 member districts. This work addressed behavioral health and social–

emotional learning and included self advocacy, social communication, and self regulation.


23

Students Served by Grade Level

Programs Serving: FY15

Elementary School 61

Middle School 55

High School 92

Grade 12+ 20

Total Students Served 228

27%

24%

40%

9%

FY15 Students by Grade Level

Elementary

Middle School

High School

Grade 12+


24

Students Served by Primary Disability

Students served by Primary Disability FY15

Autism 50

Communication 4

Developmental Delay 7

Emotional Impairment 95

Health Impairment 21

Intellectual Impairment 12

Multiple Disabilities 22

Neurological Impairment 15

Specific Learning Disabilities 2

TOTAL STUDENTS SERVED 228

22%

2%

3%

42%

9%

5%

10%

6%

1%

FY15 Students Served by Primary Disability

Autism

Communication Impairment

Developmental Delay

Emotional Impairment

Health Impairment

Intellectual Impairment

Multiple Disabilities

Neurological Impairment

Specific Learning Disabilities


25

Cost Effectiveness of Programs & Services

Cost effectiveness and savings for member and non-member districts are represented in the charts

below by comparing the daily rate for 180 and 223 day programs at Bi-County to MA approved private

schools according to daily rates for FY 15 set by the MA Operational Services Division. Bi-County

Collaborative tuition rates are compared to 2 private school tuitions servicing the same population of

students with substantially similar programs.

Bi-County Collaborative 12 month 223 Day Program Comparison

Preschool & Elementary School Programs 223 days

Member/Non-Member

BICO Program

# Of Students

BICO Tuition

Private School

Comparison

Private School Tuition

Tuition Savings

Annual Tuition Savings

Member

Elementary/ Pre-School Development Learning Program 10.3

$63,962

Boston College Campus School

$85,057 $21,095 $217,275

Member

Elementary /Pre-School Development Learning Program 10.3

$63,962

Cotting School

$90,509 $26,547 $273,431

Non-Member


$71,462

Boston College Campus School

$85,057 $13,595 $2,719

Non-Member


$ 71,462

Cotting School

$90,509 $19,047 $3,809

Age 18+ Program

Member/Non-Member BICO Program

# Of Students BICO Tuition

Private School Comparison


Tuition Savings


Member Life Roles Transition Center Age 18+ 4.9

$63,962

Cotting School $90,509 $26,547

$130,079

Member Life Roles Transition Center Age 18+ 4.9

$63,962

League School

$80,166

$16,204

$79,401

Non-Member Life Roles Transition Center Age 18+ 1.7

$71,462

Cotting School $90,509

$19,047

$32,379

Non-Member Life Roles Transition Center Age 18+ 1.7

$71,462

League School

$80,166

$8,704

$14,797


26

Bi-County Collaborative 10 Month 180 Day Program Comparison

Elementary School Programs

Member

/Non-Member BICO Program

# Of Students

BICO Tuition

Private School

Comparison


Tuition Savings


Member

Specialized Elementary Alternative Program 8.6

$46,470

Crossroads School for Children

$80,035 $33,565

$$288,661

Member

Specialized Elementary Alternative Program 8.6 $46,470

NE Center for Children

$79,495 $33,025

$284,017

Non-Member


$53,970

Crossroads School for Children

$80,035 $26,065 $59,950

Non-Member


$53,970

NE Center for Children

$79,495 $25,525 $58,708

Member

Therapeutic Elementary Alternative Program 18.3

$46,470

Community Therapeutic Day School

$71,284 $24,814 $454,101

Member


$46,470

Walker School

$69,385 $22,915 $419,337

Non-Member


$53,970

Community Therapeutic Day School

$71,284 $17,314

$110,811

Non-Member


$53,970

Walker School

$69,385 $15,415 $98,653


27


Middle School Programs

Member/Non-

Member BICO Program # Of

Students BICO Tuition Private School

Comparison Private School

Tuition Tuition Savings


Member

Alternative Middle School Program 7.9 $46,470

Judge Baker's Children's Center

$72,886 $ 26,416

$208,686

Member

Alternative Middle School Program 7.9 $46,470 Walker School

$69,385 $ 22,915 $181,025

Non-Member

Alternative Middle School Program 1.6 $53,970


$72,886 $18,916

$30,266

Non-Member

Alternative Middle School Program 1.6 $53,970 Walker School

$69,385 $15,415 $24,663

Member

Life Roles Education Program 8.4 $41,354 Cotting School

$73,056 $31,702 $266,300

Member

Life Roles Education Program 8.4 $41,354 League School

$64,708 $ 23,354 $196,175

Non-Member

Life Roles Education Program 4.7 $48,854 Cotting School

$73,056 $24,202 $113,751

Non-Member

Life Roles Education Program 4.7 $48,854 League School

$64,708 $15,854 $74,515

Member

Therapeutic Educational Program 7.4 $46,470


$72,886 $26,416 $195,478

Member

Therapeutic Educational Program 7.4 $46,470 Walker School

$69,385 $22,915

$169,568

Non-Member

Therapeutic Educational Program 2.2 $53,970


$72,886 $18,916 $41,615

Non-Member

Therapeutic Educational Program 2.2 $53,970 Walker School $69,385 $15,415

$33,912

Member

Therapeutic Middle School Program 11.5 $46,470


$72,886 $26,416 $303,784

Member

Therapeutic Middle School Program 11.5 $46,470 Walker School $69,385 $22,915

$263,518

Non-Member

Therapeutic Middle School Program 6.2 $53,970

Judge Baker's Children's Center $72,886 $18,916 $117,279

Non-Member

Therapeutic Middle School Program 6.2 $53,970 Walker School

$69,385 $15,415 $95,571


28


High School Programs

Member/Non-Member BICO Program

# Of Students

BICO Tuition

Private School Comparison


Tuition Savings


Member Learning Center 9.8

$40,805 Dearborn Academy

$63,205 $22,400 $219,523

Member Learning Center 9.8

$40,805

James Farr Academy $73,229 $32,424 $317,759

Non-Member Learning Center 3

$48,305 Dearborn Academy $63,205 $14,900 $44,701

Non-Member Learning Center 3

$48,305

James Farr Academy $73,229

$24,924 $74,773

Member Life Roles Transition Center Grades 9-12 7.9

$41,354 Cotting School $73,056 $31,702 $250,449

Member Life Roles Transition Center Grades 9-12 7.9

$41,354 League School $64,708 $23,354 $184,498

Non-Member Life Roles Transition Center Grades 9-12 6.7

$48,854 Cotting School $73,056 $24,202 $162,156

Non-Member Life Roles Transition Center Grades 9-12 6.7

$48,854 League School $64,708 $15,854 $106,223

Member

Secondary Therapeutic Alternative High School Program 13.3


Member


$40,805


Non-Member



Non-Member


$48,305


Member Therapeutic High School 15.3

$40,805 Dearborn Academy $63,205

$22,400 $342,724

Member Therapeutic High School 15.3

$40,805


Non-Member Therapeutic High School 13.9


Non-Member Therapeutic High School 13.9

$48,305



29

Cost Savings for BCBA Consultation Services

The cost savings analysis above represents the average cost for BCBA consultation

services of private vendors* at $127hr., compared to Bi-County Collaborative cost for BCBA

consultation services at $89hr.

(*Private vendors cost comparison includes rates from New England Center for Children

$145hr., Melmark $142hr., & Amego $95hr.)

Transportation Network Services

Bi-County Collaborative manages a Transportation Network for 12 participating

districts. The Transportation network provides services to member and non-member school

districts. The primary benefit of the Transportation Network is access to combination

transportation routes from surrounding districts and within districts to achieve a cost effective

model. The Transportation Network consists of a 4 vendor model in an effort to create

competitive bidding and pricing for transportation routes. The primary goal of the Bi-County

Transportation Network is providing dependable, efficient and cost effective transportation

for special education students.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

BICO Average Private Vendors

FY 15 BCBA Consultation Services

BCBA Services


30

Students Exiting the Collaborative

In FY 15, 49 students exited the collaborative. From this group:

22 students graduated

12 students returned to home district and less restrictive

programming

4 students moved out of state

5 students required more restrictive programming

5 students went to another program

1 student withdrew from school

49

22

12

4 5 5 1

49 Students

exited

22 Graduates

12 students returned to

district

4 moved out of state

5 More restrictive

5 Different program

1 Withdrew

Students Exited in 2015


31

Class of 2015 Graduating Seniors

In FY 15, 22 students who remained enrolled through the end of their senior year were eligible

to receive High School diplomas. All 22 students successfully completed graduation

requirements and were awarded diplomas in June 2015.

Of this group of 22 graduating seniors, 17 went on to further their education. Graduating

students from Bi-County Collaborative in the class of 2015 were accepted and planned to attend

the following colleges/universities:

Bridgewater State University

Bristol Community College

Emerson College

Johnson and Whales University

Massasoit Community College

University of Vermont

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

4-year college 2-year College Further Education Employment Job Core

18%

60%

77%

18%

9%

FY15 Outcomes for Students

Receiving High School Diplomas


32

Overall Student Outcomes

In FY 15, 26 students at Bi-County were either eligible for a High School diploma, a

Certificate of Achievement, or aged out at 22 years of age.

Out of this total of 26 students, 22 students earned HS diplomas (85%) , 2 students

earned a Certificates of Completion (8%), and 2 students aged out at age 22 (8%).

In addition to attending a 2 year college, 4 Bi-County students secured employment

(15%).

There were 2 seniors from the class of 2015 who chose to go on to Job Core (8%)

following graduation.

In FY 15, 2 students aged out of the collaborative at age 22 (8%) and upon exiting the

collaborative went on to receive Adult Services from another public agency.

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

High School Diploma

Certificate of Achievement

Employment Job Core Aged Out at 22yrs.

Adult Services

FY 15 Overall Student Outcomes


33

Financial Information

FY 15 Revenue $11,927,251

Intergovernmental expense illustrates the dollar amount of the state retirement pensions

paid to Bi-County Collaborative retirees by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Special Education Programs

10,353,922 87%

Therapy, Behavioral, Evaluation Services

$612,573 5%

Transportation Network $59,002

0%

Interest Income $6,237

0% Intergovernmental

Revenue $895,517

8%%

Special Education Programs

Therapy, Behavioral & Evaluation Services

Transportation Network

Interest Income

Intergovernmental Revenue


34

Financial Information

FY 15 Expenses $11,507,554

Intergovernmental expense illustrates the dollar amount of the state Commonwealth of

Massachusetts.

Personnel, excl. Admin

$8,317,145 72%

Direct Program Expenses $574,773

5%

Facilities $640,702

5%

Operating Program Expenses $43,246

1%

Administration $825,844

7%

Intergovernmental Expense $895,517

8%

Capital $210,327

2%

Personnel, excl. Admin

Direct Program Expenses

Facilities

Operating Program Expenses

Administration

Intergovernmental Expense

Capital


35

FY 15 Independent Financial Audit

The Bi-County Collaborative’s Independent Audit Report was

conducted by Pavento, Ratcliffe, Renzi & Co., LLC. The Independent

Auditor’s Report was presented to the Board of Directors at a meeting held on

November 12, 2015 by Elaine Renzi. Bi-County Collaborative’s FY 15 Audit

found Bi-County to have a clean audit and no findings of concern. The Board

voted unanimously to accept the FY 15 Independent Audit Report on

November 12, 2015.

bi-county collaborative fy 15 annual report · bi-county collaborative fy 15 annual report 3 letter...

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