MINUTES WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION

Taylor County Schools

Taylor County Middle School

RR 2, Box 148A

Grafton, West Virginia

October 16, 2002

I.   Call to Order

Secretary Ronald B. Spencer called the meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education to order at 2:03 p.m. on October 16, 2002, in the auditorium at Taylor County Middle School, RR 2, Box 148A, Grafton, West Virginia.

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

II.   Election of Officer

Secretary Ronald B. Spencer called for nominations for the office of President.

Upon motion by Sandra M. Chapman, second by Paul J. Morris, Howard M. Persinger, Jr.  was nominated to serve as President.  Hearing no additional nominations; Secretary Spencer closed the nominations for the office of President.  The Board, by unanimous vote, elected  Howard M. Persinger, Jr., as President.

III. Approval of Agenda

Upon motion by Ronald B. Spencer, second by Sandra M. Chapman, the Board approved the agenda with the following  addition: under Item VII. Student Code of Conduct, add Karen Huffman as a presenter.

Dr. Stewart announced the appointment of  Delores W. Cook to the West Virginia Board of Education.  President Persinger requested that Rebecca Tinder, General Counsel to the Board and Department, research the participation, including voting privileges, allowed a Board member who has not been confirmed by the Senate.

IV. State Board Legislative Priorities

G. A. McClung, Assistant State Superintendent, Division of Administrative Services, distributed information and addressed the Board regarding proposed legislative priorities for 2003.

Following discussion and input from the Board, Superintendent Stewart indicated that the list of priorities would be refined and presented to the Board for action in November.  President Persinger, Secretary Spencer and Barbara Fish will assist with this effort.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment A.)

V. McDowell County Schools Plan for Consolidation

G. A. McClung distributed information and discussed the proposed McDowell County consolidation plan.  A letter to the Board from Dr. Tom Hatcher, Mayor, and Council Members of the City of War, on the behalf of a number of individuals, was distributed.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment B.)

VI. Break

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

VII. Call to Order

President Persinger called the meeting back to order at 3:21 p.m.

VIII. McDowell County Schools Plan for Consolidation (Continued)

G. A. McClung continued his presentation which included a comparison of the plan to be presented to the Board for approval and the plan proposed by the McDowell County Board of Education.  President Persinger requested that the information prepared for the Board for this presentation be shared with the McDowell County Board of Education as quickly as possible.

IX. Resolution for Establishment for

Regional Education Service Agencies (Policy 3233)

G. A. McClung reviewed the most recent proposed changes to Policy 3233. 

Chuck Nichols, Executive Director, RESA III, distributed information and addressed the Board regarding the proposed changes to Policy 3233.

Following a lengthy discussion, it was the consensus of the Board that the policy must undergo additional modification and be brought back before the Board for action at the November meeting.

President Persinger appointed Barbara N. Fish and Chancellor J. Michael Mullen to serve on a committee with G. A. McClung and two RESA Directors to modify the policy based on the concerns issued by Board members and RESA staff.  President Persinger requested a draft of the modified policy be provided the Board as soon as possible.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment C and addendum.)

X. Modification of Agenda

Due to the lateness of the day and other scheduled activities, President Persinger moved discussion of the Student Code of Conduct (Policy 4373) item to the Thursday agenda.

XI. Uniform Grading System (Policy 2515)

Bill Luff, Deputy State Superintendent of Schools, provided a PowerPoint presentation and addressed the Board regarding proposed Policy 2515.   Letters of concern from Governor Wise and Chancellor Mullen were distributed.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment D.)

XII. Future Meetings

The next regular meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education will be held October 17, 2002 in the auditorium at Taylor County Middle School, RR 2, Box 148A, Grafton, West Virginia.

XIII. Adjournment

Upon motion by Sheila M. Hamilton, second by Sandra M. Chapman, the Board adjourned at 5:37  p.m.

       Minutes approved by the Board on November 14, 2002.

       ______________________________________________      
H. M. Persinger, Jr., President

wvbeminutes10/16/02