MINUTES

WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION

for

Office of Education Performance Audits

Moorefield Middle School

30 Caledonia Drive

Moorefield, West Virginia 26836

May 13, 1999

8:30 a.m.

I.

President James J. MacCallum called the meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education with the Office of Education Performance Audits to order at 8:35 a.m. on May 13, 1999, in the Library at Moorefield Middle School, Moorefield, West Virginia. Members present were Secretary Cleo P. Mathews, Sandra M. Chapman, Sheila M. Hamilton, Jim L. McKnight, J. D. Morris, and Paul J. Morris.

II.

Upon motion by Jim L. McKnight, second by Cleo P. Mathews, the Board approved the minutes of the April 15, 1999, meeting as submitted.

III.

Upon motion by Sheila M. Hamilton, second by J. D. Morris, the Board approved the agenda.

IV.

Dr. Seal reported that, as of the week of May 10, 1999, the Office of Education Performance Audits will complete an on-site review in Marion County for a total of 13 on-site reviews for the current year (the projected number of reviews for the year was 12).

V.

A random and unannounced education performance audit was conducted in the Summers County School System. All schools in Summers County were evaluated by members of the on-site review team. Based on the performance data and results of the education performance audit, it is recommended that the Summers County School District be issued Conditional Approval status, two (2) Summers County schools granted Full Accreditation status, and three (3) schools issued Conditional Accreditation status.

Upon motion by Cleo P. Mathews, second by Sheila M. Hamilton, the Board granted the Summers County School District Conditional Approval status, two (2) Summers County schools granted Full Accreditation status, and three (3) schools issued Conditional Accreditation status. (Attachment B.)

VI.

A random and unannounced education performance audit was conducted in the Taylor County School System. All schools in Taylor County were evaluated by members of the on-site review team. Based on the performance data and results of the education performance audit, it is recommended that the Taylor County School District be issued Full Approval status, two (2) Taylor County schools granted Full Accreditation status, and five (5) schools issued Conditional Accreditation status.

Upon motion by Paul J. Morris, second by Jim L. McKnight, the Board granted the Taylor County School District Full Approval status, two (2) Taylor County schools granted Full Accreditation status, and five (5) schools issued Conditional Accreditation status. (Attachment C.)

VII.

County boards are required to ensure that any school issued temporary accreditation status revise its Unified School Improvement Plan to increase the performance of the school to a full accreditation status level. The revised plan must include objectives, a time line, an evaluation component, cost estimates, and a date certain for achieving full accreditation. This plan must be submitted to the State Board for approval. One hundred nineteen (119) plans were reviewed and acted upon previously by the Board. Nineteen (19) plans have been received and reviewed. Staff reviewed the plans to determine that the required elements were included, addressed the performance deficiencies, and the date certain was realistic for achieving full accreditation status.

The attachment summarizes the elements of individual Unified School Improvement Plans. Seventeen (17) Unified School Improvement Plans are recommended for approval and the schools be upgraded to conditional accreditation status. The remaining two (2) plans are requested to be approved; however, the schools remain on seriously impaired status until the 1998-99 performance data indicate improvement and eligibility to be upgraded.

Upon motion by J. D. Morris, second by Cleo P. Mathews, the Board approved seventeen (17) Unified School Improvement Plans and upgraded the schools to conditional accreditation status. Two (2) Unified School Improvement Plans were also approved; however, the schools will remain on seriously impaired status until the 1998-99 performance data indicate improvement and eligibility to be upgraded. (Attachment D.)

VIII.

The next regular meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education, Office of Education Performance Audits will be held on June 10, 1999 in Boone County, West Virginia.

IX.

Upon motion by Paul J. Morris, second by Sandra M. Chapman, the Board adjourned at approximately 9:09 a.m.

Minutes approved by the Board on June 10, 1999.

James J. MacCallum, President