MINUTESWEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION

McDowell County Schools

Mount View High School

950 Mount View Road

Welch, West Virginia

September 11, 2002

Moment of Silence/Pledge of Allegiance

In memory of those who perished on September 11, 2001, the assembly observed a moment of silence followed by recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance lead by Barbara N. Fish .

I.   Call to Order

President J. D. Morris called the meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education to order at 2:03 p.m. on September 11, 2002, in the Media Center at Mount View High School, 950 Mount View Road, Welch, West Virginia.

Members present: Secretary Ronald B. Spencer, Sandra M. Chapman, Barbara N. Fish, Sheila M. Hamilton, Paul J. Morris,  and David Stewart, State Superintendent of Schools.  Members absent: Vice-President James J. MacCallum, Howard M. Persinger, Jr., and  J. Michael Mullen, Chancellor, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission

II. Approval of Agenda

Upon motion by Paul J. Morris, second by Sandra M. Chapman, the Board approved the agenda with the following amendment:  Superintendent Stewart will provide the presentation under Reports, Item B. Bus Transportation Time.

III. Project GRAD

John Perdue, State Treasurer, provided the Board a brief overview and requested support for Project GRAD and introduced Stephanie Smith-Arce and Dr. Billie Kennedy with Project GRAD, who provided a PowerPoint presentation and distributed information regarding this program.  Norma Miller, Division of Technical and Adult Education addressed the Board regarding her observation of Project GRAD.  

President Morris, at the direction of the Board, requested Dr. Stewart to continue researching this project and provide a recommendation to the Board in the very near future.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment A.)

IV. Break

President Morris called for a break at 3:00 p.m.

V. Call to Order

President Morris called the meeting back to order at 3:20 p.m.

VI. Bus Transportation Time

Superintendent Stewart provided the Board a report regarding bus transportation time and initiatives underway to collect annual transportation information via WVEIS.

VII. Before/After Care

Dr. Stan Hopkins, Assistant State Superintendent, Division of Technical and Adult Education, provided the Board a report and distributed information  regarding before and after school care.   

President Morris, at the direction of the Board, requested that Dr. Hopkins proceed with the development and distribution of a questionnaire to county superintendents regarding before and after school care.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment B.)

VIII. Grammar Initiative

Dr. Pamela Sumpter-Cain, Assistant State Superintendent, Division of Instructional and Student Services, provided the Board an update regarding the grammar initiative.  Sandra M. Chapman requested that a copy of the grammar brochure be sent, along with a letter from the Board President, to the reporter with US News and World Reports who is working on a story dealing with grammar.

IX. Codes of Conduct Training

Dr. Pamela Sumpter-Cain introduced Dr. Karen Huffman, Assistant Director, Office of Student Services and Assessment, who provided the Board a report and distributed information regarding the Student and Employee Codes of Conduct training.    (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment C.)

Sandra M. Chapman requested:  1) that the Board receive a copy of the letter that accompanied the Student and Employee Codes of Conduct; 2) that contacts be made to ascertain that distribution has occurred; 3) that all Board members be provided a copy of the tabloid distributed to students; 4) that a follow-up work session be scheduled regarding comments received; 5) that  various groups be targeted (i.e., transportation directors, coaches, etc.) for the next phase of promotion and implementation; and, 6) that Mike Hayden, Executive Director of the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission, be invited to appear before the Board and provide a report regarding his implementation strategy.

X. Department of Education Objectives for 02-03

Superintendent Stewart distributed the Department's objectives for 2002-2003. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment D.)

Barbara N. Fish asked about Project IMPACT reports and  requested an update.

XI. Checklist Demonstration

Kenna Seal, Director, introduced Mike Kessinger, Coordinator, Office of Education Performance Audits (OEPA), who provided the Board a PowerPoint presentation regarding the OEPA annual checklist. 

XII. Miscellaneous

Barbara N. Fish requested that next month's agenda contain an item to deal with the Board's legislative agenda for the coming year.  She also issued a concern regarding the RESA policy and information Board members have received regarding same.

Superintendent Mark Manchin  announced that a reception, program and dinner for the Board would take place in the cafeteria at 6:30 p.m.  Superintendents Stewart and Manchin issued an invitation to the Board to tour the host facility to review improvements that have occurred over the past year.

XIII. Future Meetings

The next regular meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education will be held September12, 2002 at Mount View High School, 950 Mount View Road, Welch, West Virginia. 

XIV. Adjournment

Upon motion by Sheila M. Hamilton, second by Paul J. Morris, the Board adjourned at 4:44 p.m.

       Minutes approved by the Board on October 17, 2002.

       _______________________________________________

       Howard M. Persinger, Jr.,  President

wvbeminutes9/11/02