MINUTES

WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION

Capitol Complex

Building 6 Room B-353

Charleston, West Virginia 25305

December 10, 1998

I.

President James J. MacCallum called the regular meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education, to order at 9:00 a.m. on November 19, 1998 in the Robert C. Byrd High School Clarksburg, West Virginia. Members present were: President James J. MacCallum, Vice President Gary G. White, Secretary Cleo P. Mathews, Sandra M. Chapman, Michael D. Greer, Jim McKnight, J. D. Morris, Paul J. Morris, and state superintendent Henry Marockie.

II.

Upon motion by Ms. Chapman, second by Mr. White, the Board approved the agenda with the following change and addition:

• •Insert Action for the Continuation of Year Round School at Spring Hill Elementary, in Cabell County and Piedmont Elementary, Glenwood Elementary and Chandler Elementary in Kanawha County
• •Add West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission-WVEIS under Miscellaneous

III.

Upon motion by Mrs. Mathews, second by Ms. Chapman, the Board approved the minutes of the November 19, 1998 regular meeting as submitted.

IV.

The 1998 Dan Glickman Pyramid of Excellence Award for Food and Nutrition Service was presented to the West Virginia Board of Education by Robert J. Freiler, Regional Director, Special Nutrition Programs, Mid-Atlantic Regional Office, United States Department of Education. He also presented a plaque to Harriet Deel as a certificate of appreciation and recognition of her work and service to the United States Department of Agriculture.

The West Virginia Adult Education Association presented its Adult Program of the Year award to Jeannette Donohew, Lead Teacher, at the West Virginia Department of Education program at the Northern Regional Jail and Correctional Facility.

The Board presented a plaque to Carolyn Shuman, Grant County and Jim Lockhart, Upshur County, for being recognized nationwide as special educators on the All USA Today Teacher First Team.

The Board presented a plaque to Kathy Boone, Project Leader, as one of nine state information technology employees from all state government agencies to receive the Governor's Technology Award, a plaque and $1000, for innovative information technology among state employees.

V.

Upon motion by Mr. McKnight, second by Ms. Chapman, the Board approved all consent agenda items as amended and as recommended. (Copies appended to Official Minutes. Attachments B-J.)

The Board approved the Mason County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include a provision for the construction of a new Central/Ordnance Elementary School. This school will serve students in grades 3 through 6 from the current Central, Ordnance, and North Point Elementary Schools. North Point Elementary School will serve students in grades pre-kindergarten through second grade. Reconfiguration of schools in Mason County was previously approved by the West Virginia Board of Education. (Attachment B.)

Amendment - Nicholas County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan

The Board approved the Nicholas County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include a provision for the construction of an addition to Richwood High School to house a weight room. (Attachment C.)

The Board approved the eight new State Board Policy waivers and the twelve requests for continuation of previously granted waivers listed in the attachment. (Attachment D.)

The Board approved the county board of education budget supplement and transfer requests for the 1998-99 year as follows:

For the Month of November 1998

Total Supplements $32,130,926

Total Transfers $4,847,506

(Attachment E.)

Board members were provided an update on project CATS: Coordinated and Thematic Science. (Attachment F.)

Board members were provided an update on Education First: Our Future Depends on It. (Attachment G.)

Board members were provided with an update on Mingo County. (Attachment H.)

Board members were provided an update on the instructional technology projects in West Virginia. (Attachment I.)

The Board approved the personnel items for the West Virginia Department of Education and the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind as listed in Attachment J.

VI.

John Ray provided the Board members with the Results of Presidential Physical Fitness Test. (Copy appended to Official Minutes. Attachment K.)

VII.

Tony Smedley provided the Board members with the committee's progress on the Revision of Policy 5310: Teacher Evaluation Policy. Discussion was held regarding several amendments:Section 8 using three, four or five point rating scale; Section 10.3 evaluation be required annually including an observation; changing conferencing skills to interpersonal communication skills, and Section 14.5D strike the word distinctly. (Copy appended to Official Minutes. Attachment L.)

VIII.

Nancy Walker and Brenda Williams provided the Board members an update of the instructional technology projects in West Virginia and addressed some areas of concern.

The Board presented a plaque to Brenda Williams recognizing and saluting her exemplary work in promoting educational technology in schools across West Virginia and for her national leadership in learning technologies.

IX.

Barbara Jones provided the Board members with several options for consideration of Seat Time for Students. The Board directed the state superintendent to bring back additional information showing at least three options to modify the calendar within statutory requirements and also outside the statute.(Copy appended to Official Minutes.)

X.

Upon motion by Mr. White, second by Mrs. Mathews, the Board approved Spring Hill Elementary, Cabell County, Piedmont Elementary, Glenwood Elementary and Chandler Elementary, Kanawha County, to continue the use of a modified school calendar for Year-Round Education for the 1999-2000 school year. (Copy appended to Official Minutes. Attachment M.)

XI.

Tony Smedley provided an update of the West Virginia Department of Education Employee Handbook. Upon motion by Mrs. Mathews, second by Mr. White, the Board approved the West Virginia Department of Education Employee Handbook. (Copy appended to Official Minutes. Attachment Mc.)

XII.

Bill Luff and Karen Larry provided the Board members with the Review of Professional Development Plans. Upon motion by Mr. White, second by Mr. Paul J. Morris, the Board approved the plans as submitted from two RESAs, the Center for Professional Development and the Department of Education, subject to follow up efforts and with a proviso to do a better job in the future. The plans for six RESAs will go back with recommendations for change.(Copy appended to Official Minutes.)

XIII.

Board members were provided information by Gib Brown of The James & Law Company regarding the Instructional Materials Depository Annual Report. Upon motion by Mr. McKnight, second by Mrs. Mathews, the Board accepted the Annual Report of the Instructional Materials Depository. (Copy appended to Official Minutes. Attachment N.)

XIV.

Upon motion by Ms. Chapman, second by Mr. McKnight, the Board approved the personnel addendum for the Department of Education.

XV.

Upon motion by Mr. Greer, second by Ms. Chapman, the Board declined the request of the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission to access WVEIS.

XVI.

The next regular meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education will be held on January 14, 1999 in Charleston, West Virginia.

XVII.

Upon motion by Mr. McKnight, second by Mr. Greer, the Board adjourned at approximately 2:00 p.m.

Minutes approved by the Board on January 14, 1999

______________________________

James J. MacCallum, President

minutes 12/10/98