MINUTES

WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION

for

Office of Education Performance Audits

Snowshoe Mountain Resort

Silver Creek, Pocahontas Room

Snowshoe, West Virginia 26209

August 12, 1999

I.

President Cleo P. Mathews called the meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education with the Office of Education Performance Audits to order at 8:34 a.m. on August 12, 1999 in the Pocahontas Room of Silver Creek Lodge at the Snowshoe Mountain Resort, Snowshoe, West Virginia. Members present were Secretary J. D. Morris, Sandra M. Chapman (by conference call), Jim L. McKnight, and Paul J. Morris.

II.

Upon motion by Paul J. Morris, second by Jim L. McKnight, the Board approved the minutes of the July 15, 1999 meeting as submitted.

III.

Upon motion by Jim L. McKnight, second by Paul J. Morris, the Board approved the agenda.

IV.

The Office of Education Performance Audits has scheduled a training session for September 19-21, 1999 at the Radisson Hotel in Huntington. Enrollment is expected to meet or exceed 400.

V.

A random and unannounced education performance audit was conducted in the Barbour County School System. All schools in Barbour County were evaluated by members of the on-site review team. The county submitted revised County and School Unified Improvement Plans for noncompliances identified by the education performance audit team. These plans contained the required components and the county and schools are eligible for a higher approval and accreditation

status.

Based on the performance data and results of the education performance audit, it is recommended that the Barbour County School System be issued Conditional Approval status, one (1) school granted Full Accreditation Status, and eight (8) Barbour County schools issued Conditional Accreditation status.

A random and unannounced education performance audit was conducted in the Morgan County School System. All schools in Morgan County were evaluated by members of the on-site review team. The county submitted revised county and school Unified Improvement Plans for noncompliances identified by the education performance audit team. These plans contained the required components and the county and schools are eligible for a higher approval and accreditation status.

Based on the performance data; results of the education performance audit; and revised Unified County and School Improvement Plans, it is recommended that the Morgan County School System be issued Conditional Approval status and the eight (8) Morgan County schools issued Conditional Accreditation status.

A random and unannounced education performance audit was conducted in the Nicholas County School System. All schools in Nicholas County were evaluated by members of the on-site review team. As a result of the education performance audit findings of noncompliance, the county and school Unified Improvement Plans must be revised, submitted to the Office of Education Performance Audits, and approved by the State Board of Education.

Based on the performance data and results of the education performance audit, it is recommended that the Nicholas County School System be issued Temporary Approval status, eleven (11) Nicholas County schools issued Conditional Accreditation status, and five (5) schools issued Temporary Accreditation status.

Upon motion by Jim L. McKnight, second by J. D. Morris, the Board granted: 1) the Barbour County School System Conditional Approval status, one (1) school Full Accreditation Status, and eight (8) Barbour County schools Conditional Accreditation status. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment B.); 2) the Morgan County School System Conditional Approval status and eight (8) Morgan County schools Conditional Accreditation status. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment C.); and 3) the Nicholas County School System Temporary Approval status, eleven (11) Nicholas County schools Conditional Accreditation status, and five (5) schools Temporary Accreditation status. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment D.)

VI.

West Virginia Code 18-2E-5 and Section 3.4 of State Board Policy 2320, A Process for Improving Education: Performance Based Accreditation System, establish early detection and intervention programs.

Two schools participated in Pilot Early Detection and Intervention Projects. The purpose of the Early Detection and Intervention pilots is to assist underachieving schools and school systems in improving performance before conditions become so grave as to warrant more substantive state intervention.

Schools participating in the pilot program were Barnes Elementary School, Marion County and Mount View High School, McDowell County. The selection was based on student and school performance, school grade configuration, geographic representation, and willingness of the county

office superintendents, central office staff, school principals, and teachers to participate in the program.

Upon motion by Paul J. Morris, second by Jim L. McKnight, the Board accepted the Pilot Early Detection and Intervention reports. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment E.)

VII.

Upon motion by Jim L. McKnight, second by Sandra M. Chapman, the Board directed the Office of Education Performance Audits to perform an education performance audit in the Lincoln County School System in the most efficient manner possible due to low student performance and concerns of citizens.

VIII.

The next meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education with the Office of Education Performance Audits will be held on September 9, 1999, in Wayne County, West Virginia.

IX.

Upon motion by Jim L. McKnight, second by J. D. Morris, the Board adjourned at approximately 9:13 a.m.

Minutes approved by the Board on September 9, 1999.

Cleo P. Mathews, President