MINUTES

WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION

at

Webster County High School

1 Highlander Drive

Upperglade, West Virginia

August 10, 2000

President J. D. Morris called the meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education to order at 8:40 a.m. on August 10, 2000, in the Auditorium at Webster County High School, 1 Highlander Drive, Upperglade, West Virginia. Members present were Vice-President Jim Mc Knight, Sheila M. Hamilton, James J. MacCallum, Paul J. Morris, Ronald B. Spencer, and State Superintendent David L. Stewart. Members absent: Sandra M. Chapman, Cleo P. Mathews, Gary G. White and John Thralls.

II.

Dr. Mark A. Manchin, Webster County Superintendent of Schools, welcomed the Board to Webster County and thanked everyone for their efforts in assuring a quality education for each and every child. He also commended the Board for selecting Dr. Stewart as the State Superintendent of Schools.

III.

Mary Kay Harrison, Executive Director, Office of Child Nutrition, recognized Sheila Linkswiler, Mount Hope Middle School, Fayette County, recipient of the American School Food Service Heart of the Program Award.

Frank D. Andrews, Executive Director, Office of Institutional Education Programs, and Dr. Chris Tracy, representing the Correctional Education Association, presented certificates of Correctional Education Association accreditation, July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2002, to the Anthony Correctional Center (accepting the certificate were Donna Legg, William Hawkins), the Davis Correctional Center (accepting the certificate were Glenn Patsy, Karen Linton, Kim Betler) the West Virginia Industrial Home for Youth (accepting the certificate were Robert Daquilante, Mary Rose Axton, Peggy Sinclair). (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment A.)

IV.

Upon motion by James J. MacCallum, second by Jim Mc Knight, the Board approved the agenda with the following changes:

Delete from page 7, that portion of revised Policy 2520 that covers IGOs for the Robert C. Beach Vocational Agriculture courses; add to page 6, under Reports, item D. Rand Study and item E. Technical Assistance; and, add to page 8, under C, item D. Improvement Consultant Teams for Seriously Impaired Schools; page two, item 6.C.2. change to an action item; under Miscellaneous, change B. to read Resolution of Law Suit and change Executive Session to item C.

A random and unannounced education performance audit was conducted in the Preston County School System. All schools in Preston 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.

The impact of the education performance audit results, performance measures, and revised county and school Unified Improvement Plans led to a recommendation that the Preston County School System be issued Conditional Approval status, three (3) schools be granted Full Accreditation status, and nine (9) schools be issued Conditional Accreditation status.

Upon motion by Ronald B. Spencer, second by James J. MacCallum, the Board issued the Preston County school system Conditional Approval status, granted three (3) Preston County schools Full Accreditation status, and issued nine (9) schools Conditional Accreditation status. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment B.)

VI.

W.Va. Code 18-2-23a requires the State Board to establish goals for professional development in the public schools of the state. An analysis of annual performance data and education performance audits was presented to assist the Board in establishing staff development goals.

Upon motion by Paul J. Morris, second by Sheila M. Hamilton, the Board accepted the recommendations. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment C.)

VII.

The Office of Education Performance Audits developed a Strategic Plan for FY2000. The Plan was presented to the State Board at the October 8, 1999 meeting. The Strategic Plan FY2000 outlined the mission statement, goals, objectives, activities, and a completion date(s). This report addresses year-end progress on each objective and activity for the 2000 fiscal year. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment D.)

VIII.

The Stanford Achievement Test -9 (SAT-9) scores have been analyzed relative to meeting Performance Measure 4.1, Student Achievement. The report reflects those schools that did not have the 50 percent of students achieving in the top two quartiles as well as those schools not meeting the standard that 15 percent or fewer students performing in the bottom quartile or have a decreasing trend.

Upon motion by Jim Mc Knight, second by James J. MacCallum, the Board accepted the report. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment E.)

IX.

Upon motion by Jim Mc Knight, second by James J. MacCallum, the Board approved consent agenda items as amended and as recommended. (Copies appended to Official Minutes, Attachments F-T and addenda.)

July 13, 2000 regular meeting and July 31, 2000 emergency meeting. (Attachment F.)

The Wayne County Board of Education requested approval of an amendment to its Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan (CEFP) as it does not contain a provision for the placement of two portable classrooms at Wayne Elementary School. The Wayne County Board of Education requested approval to amend its CEFP to include the placement of two portable classrooms at Wayne Elementary School for a kindergarten and second grade class. The portables are equipped with restrooms and will not house students with special needs.

For the Month of June 2000 (Supplemental)

Total Supplements = $1,633,007 Total Transfers = $767,745

For the Month of July 2000

Total Supplements = $20,695,689 Total Transfers = $4,876,509

Board members were provided an update on activities of the HVAC technicians. (Attachment H.)

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

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

Board members were provided an update on Office of Healthy Schools activities. (Attachment K.)

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

Board members were provided an update on administrative technology projects in West Virginia. (Attachment M. )

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

Board members were provided an update on Lincoln County. (Attachment N.)

The Board approved twenty-five (25) waiver requests, approved the continuation of four (4) previously approved waiver requests, and denied nine (9) waiver requests. Details may be found Attachment O.

The Board approved one (1) waiver request. (Attachment P.)

The West Virginia Department of Education received a grant award in the amount of $2,000,000 from the Department of Health and Human Resources to provide extended School-Day Plus programs for elementary school children (preschool through grade 6). County boards of education, Head Start programs, as well as private child care providers who establish interagency agreements with local school systems may apply for funding. School-Day Plus grants provide program supervision to children (preschool through grade 6) before and after the school day or during summers. School-Day Plus programs are located in schools, Head Start Centers, or community facilities that meet health and safety requirements. Within the past three years, the funding has increased from approximately $500,000 per year to this year's $2,000,000. The Executive Summary provides additional information regarding the School Day Plus program. (Attachment Q.)

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

Pursuant to W.Va. Code 18A-4-17 for Professional/Service Personnel, employees at the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind are to be paid the same as Hampshire County school personnel. Attached are Hampshire County pay scales for the 2000-2001 school year. These pay scales, as well as individual employment contracts, for all full-time employees at the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind were submitted for approval. (Attachment S.)

Since 1977, the State Board has approved the lease of a lot at the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind to Hampshire County Schools for use as a parking lot for the county bus fleet. Mr. Gerald Mathias, Superintendent of Hampshire County Schools, requested a continuation of this lease. (Attachment T.)

X.

Michael Simmons, Executive Director, Jobs for West Virginia Graduates (JWVG), and Sharon Tanner, Jobs Specialist, distributed an informational item and addressed the Board regarding the program. JWVG is a school based program for targeted high school students, assisting them toward graduation and career decisions as they enter the workforce, military service or post-secondary training while overcoming barriers which might limit their future success in becoming well-adjusted employable citizens. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment U.)

XI.

Bill Luff distributed and discussed a document entitled "State Board Action Required by Agreed Order in Tomblin v. Gainer." Mr. Luff reported that recommendations regarding the committees will be made at the September meeting and letters to the other named parties requesting their appointees will be mailed no later than August 18. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment V.)

XII.

Superintendent Stewart and Bill Luff addressed the Board regarding the request of Michael J. Farrell, Esq., to be released from his role as Special Assistant Attorney General to the Board in Tomblin v. Gainer. It was the consensus of the Board that Mr. Farrell continue to represent the Board until such time as the case is concluded.

XIII.

Barbara Jones addressed the Board regarding the RAND Study. The RAND Corporation report reviewed raw scores of the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) in the participating states and noted variances in racial or ethnic differences and in characteristics of families in these states. West Virginia ranked 6^th in states with highest gains with 1.46 percentile points as the average annual gain achieved on the NAEP (1990-1995). (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment W.)

XIV.

Bill Luff distributed and discussed a document entitled "Schools Selected for Technical Assistance 2000-2001."

Upon motion by Jim Mc Knight, second by Sheila M. Hamilton, the Board granted approval to the Department to select improvement consultants for the newly named schools. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment X.)

XV.

The West Virginia Board of Education establishes Regional Education Service Agencies (RESAs) as a part of the school system. The purpose of the RESA is to provide supplemental services to county boards of education, thereby equalizing educational opportunities available to students. The proposed policy changes incorporates additional recommendations from the Policy 3233 study committee.

Proposed policy changes are: a) the state superintendent's designee to the board will be a nonvoting member; b) each county superintendent and each county board of education member or designee to the board will be voting members when selecting an executive; c) adds one year experience in educational administration to the qualification for the RESA director; d) deletes the provision that the state superintendent of schools' designee could meet in place of the superintendent at the semi-annual meetings with the state board and chair and/or co-chair of each Regional Education Service Agency; and e) county boards of education will designate their representative to the RESA board at their first meeting in July.

The policy was placed on comment at the June board meeting. Comments were received from three of the RESAs.

Upon motion by Paul J. Morris, second by Jim Mc Knight, the Board approved Policy 3233. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment Y.)

XVI.

Policy 2520 defines the instructional goals and objectives for programs of study required by Policy 2510. Two sets of instructional goals and objectives are being presented: Speech I and Journalism and Foreign Languages. Speech I and Journalism are two of the most commonly offered electives in the English Language Arts; state-level instructional goals and objectives will promote consistent quality in these course offerings.

New instructional goals and objectives are proposed for Foreign Language Exploratory, a common election at the middle school level. Revisions of the Foreign Language Program of Study, Levels I-IV are also included and were made to clarify specific objectives and to add terminology unique to second language acquisition. Approved instructional goals and objectives will provide the basis for designing instructional materials selection criteria.

Upon motion by James J. MacCallum, second by Paul J. Morris, the Board placed Policy 2520 on public comment until October 13, 2000. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment Z.)

XVII.

In accordance with W.Va. Code 18-9D-16(h), the Office of School Transportation and Facilities is required to conduct annual facilities reviews of all schools constructed or renovated with funds provided by the School Building Authority of West Virginia. The findings of those facilities inspections for the following schools are provided.

County School County School

Boone Sherman Elementary Cabell Cabell Midland High

Cabell Guyandotte Elementary Clay Clay Elementary

Clay Clay Middle School Gilmer Gilmer County High

Hamphire Capon Bridge Elementary Hampshire Hampshire County High

Lewis Lewis County High Logan Chapmanville Middle

McDowell Big Sandy River Middle Mingo Kermit Elementary

Mingo Matewan Elementary Mingo Riverside Elementary

Nicholas Panther Creek Elementary Preston Valley Elementary

Raleigh Beckley Stratton Jr./High Ritchie Ritchie County Middle/High

Taylor Grafton High Tucker Tucker County Elementary/Middle

Tyler Arthur I. Borman Elementary Tyler Sistersville Elementary

Webster Webster County High Wirt Wirt County Primary Center

Wyoming Wyoming County East High

Upon motion by James J. MacCallum, second by Paul J. Morris, the Board accepted the reports for submission to the School Building Authority. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment AA)

XVIII.

West Virginia Board of Education Policy 5112, Athletic Trainers in West Virginia Public Schools, requires an athletic trainer to be in attendance at all high school football practices and games. Athletic trainers are recommended for middle/junior high school football programs.

Policy 5112 provides for an Athletic Trainer Review Board to advise the State Board in the granting of waivers to the policy when there is a lack of a fully certified trainer. Waiver requests were received from thirty-nine schools (listing attached). All waived persons will serve in lieu of fully certified athletic trainers for the 2000-01 school term.

Upon motion by Paul J. Morris, second by Ronald B. Spencer, the Board approved the requested waivers. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment BB.)

XIX.

President Morris reported that the case of Hornbeck vs. Calhoun County, et al. (in which the Board was a named party), has been settled for a monetary consideration of $5,000.

XX.

Kim Lawrence addressed the Board regarding plans for the forums. All sites will be visited within the next couple of weeks. An announcement will appear in State Ed, will be placed on the Department's website and a poster is also being designed. Fernando Ibanez is working to make registration for the forums available on-line and on-line text versions of each forum event as it is occurring. Jim Mc Knight will serve as moderator at each forum.

Karen Larry addressed the Board regarding the ultimate goal of the forums. General consensus was to obtain a list of items that the Board would reduce to approximately ten (10) goals that would be shared with the Office of Education Performance Audits and the Department for use as a strategic plan.

XXI.

Upon motion by Jim Mc Knight, second by James J. MacCallum, the Board, by unanimous affirmative vote, and in accordance with the provisions of W.Va. Code 6- 9A-1, 6-9A-4, 6-9A-3 and 6-9A-5, went into Executive Session following lunch at 12:15 p.m. to discuss personnel matters. Sandra M. Chapman joined the Executive Session via telephone. Upon return from Executive Session at 1:35 p.m., President Morris reported that there were no deliberations and no decisions were made and no action was taken.

XXII.

The next regular meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education will be held September 14, 2000 in Clay County, West Virginia.

XXIII.

Upon motion by Jim Mc Knight, second by James J. MacCallum, the Board adjourned at approximately 1:37 p.m.

Minutes approved by the Board on September 14, 2000.

________________________________________________

J. D. Morris, President

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