MINUTES WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION

Gilmer County Schools

Gilmer County High School

300 Pine Street

Glenville, West Virginia

November 13, 2002

I.   Call to Order

President Howard M. Persinger, Jr., called the meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education to order at 2:00  p.m. on November 13, 2002, in Room V105 at Gilmer County High School, 300 Pine Street, Glenville, West Virginia.

The roll was called and the following members were present: President Persinger, Vice-President Sandra M. Chapman, Secretary Ronald B. Spencer,  Delores W. Cook, Barbara N. Fish, Sheila M. Hamilton, Paul J. Morris, and David Stewart, State Superintendent of  Schools; absent was  J. Michael Mullen, Chancellor, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.

II. Oath of Office Ceremony

With the common consent of the Board, President Persinger deferred the ceremonial oath of office for Delores  W. Cook to Thursday. The official oath has been executed and is on file with the Office of the Secretary of State.

III. Approval of Agenda

President Persinger requested that Item XII., REPORT:  Implementation of Student/ Employee Codes of Conduct, be moved to follow directly the approval of the agenda and that the remaining items be appropriately renumbered for consideration.  

Upon motion by Ronald B. Spencer, second by Paul J. Morris, the Board unanimously approved the agenda as modified.

IV. Implementation of Student/Employee Codes of Conduct

Liza Cordeiro, Executive Director, Office of School-Community Relations, Karen Huffman, Assistant Director, Office of Student Services and Assessment, Mike Hayden, Executive Director, West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission, and Bill Niday, Principal, Parkersburg High School and member, West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission,  addressed the Board regarding implementation of the student and employee codes of conduct.  Ms. Cordeiro also distributed survey results and research regarding the distribution of the Student Code of Conduct.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment A.)

V. Legal and/or Personnel Matters

With the common consent of the Board this item was moved to a time later in the agenda to facilitate the coverage of all scheduled items.

VI. Policy 2515 - Uniform Grading System

Bill Luff, Deputy State Superintendent, distributed comments received to date and updated the Board regarding proposed Policy 2515 - Uniform Grading System.  Board action on this policy is anticipated at the December 2002 meeting.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment B.)

VII. Adequate Yearly Progress and Accountability

Bill Luff provided a PowerPoint presentation and addressed the Board regarding adequate yearly progress and accountability required by both the No Child Left Behind Act and the Agreed Order in Tomblin v. Gainer.  President Persinger asked that members receive a copy of the PowerPoint presentation and Mr. Luff indicated he would provide same but requested that it not be disseminated as it is not the final product.  Issues and/or concerns regarding the No Child Left Behind Act are to be addressed to Mr. Luff or Superintendent Stewart.

Kenna R. Seal, Director, Office of Education Performance Audits, stated that Policy 2320 must undergo modification to bring it into compliance with the No Child Left Behind Act and that it will be brought before the Board for action in December.  West Virginia Code 18-2E-5 must be addressed upon approval of the state plan that will be submitted in compliance with the No Child Left Behind Act.

VIII. Policy 3233 - Resolution of Establishment for

Regional Education Service Agencies

Bill Luff distributed a more recently revised, and still incorrect, version of Policy 3233 and addressed the Board regarding the proposed changes to Policy 3233 - Resolution of Establishment for Regional Education Service Agencies.

Superintendent Stewart recommended that action on this item be deferred to December to allow further refinement to the policy. 

Mr. Luff indicated that the committee will take another look at the policy including the Executive Director qualifications.  At Superintendent Stewart's request and with the common consent of the Board, this item  was removed from November 14, 2002 agenda.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment C.)

IX. Break

President Persinger called for a break at 3:55 p.m.

X. Call to Order

President Persinger called the meeting back to order at 4:05 p.m.

XI. Legislative Initiatives

Bill Luff distributed information and addressed the Board regarding proposed legislative initiatives for the 2003 legislative session.  Following a lengthy discussion the list was referred back to Mr. Spencer and his committee for further refinement prior to action at the December meeting.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment D)

XII. Developing a Policy on Outside Programs in West Virginia Schools

Rebecca Tinder, General Counsel to the Board and Department, addressed the Board regarding the development of a policy that would screen outside programs for admittance into West Virginia schools.  Attorney Tinder directed the Board's attention to W.Va. Code 18-5A-2 as well as textbook adoption procedures/requirements.  She also indicated there are a number of other programs in the schools that cannot be confirmed as Board approved. 

Following a lengthy discussion, Ms. Tinder indicated that the Department would survey all counties to ascertain what guidelines are in place for approval of outside programs.  Sandra M. Chapman requested that the survey include all non-school related outside programs that are occurring in schools. 

XIII. Testing Issues in Primary Grades

Pamela Sumpter-Cain, Assistant State Superintendent, and Beverly Kingery, Coordinator, Division of Instructional and Student Services, distributed information and addressed the Board regarding testing issues (assessment and accountability) in the primary grades.  Ms. Kingery also distributed proposed posters regarding the "Grammar for All" initiative and requested that any corrections/changes be provided to her by the first of December for final Board approval at the December meeting.  Ms. Kingery reported that professional development sessions for Department staff are tentatively scheduled for February.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment E.)

XIV. Legal and/or Personnel Matters

With the common consent of the Board, President Persinger moved this item to Thursday to accommodate other scheduled activities.

XV. Future Meetings

The next regular meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education will be held November14, 2002 at Gilmer County High School, Glenville, West Virginia.

XIV. Adjournment

Upon motion by Paul J. Morris, second by Sheila M. Hamilton, and unanimously carried, the Board adjourned at 6:20 p.m.

       Minutes approved by the Board on December 12, 2002.

______________________________________________      
H. M. Persinger, Jr., President

wvbeminutes11/13/02