MINUTES

WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION

Board Conference Room

Capitol Building 6, Room 353

1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East

Charleston, West Virginia

July 9, 2003

I.   Call to Order

President H. M. Persinger, Jr., called the regular meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education to order  at 8:30 a.m. on July 9, 2003, in the Board Conference Room, Capitol Building 6, Room 353, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard East, Charleston, West Virginia.

The following members were present: President Persinger, Vice-President Sandra M. Chapman, Secretary Ronald B. Spencer,  Delores W. Cook, Barbara N. Fish, Priscilla M. Haden, Sheila M. Hamilton, Lloyd G. Jackson II, Paul J. Morris and ex officios David Stewart, State Superintendent of  Schools and J. Michael Mullen, Chancellor, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.

II. Approval of Agenda

Upon motion by Ms. Haden, seconded by Mrs. Cook, the State Board unanimously approved the agenda as presented.

III. Lincoln and McDowell County Updates

Bill Grizzell, Superintendent, Lincoln County Schools, Mark Manchin, Superintendent, McDowell County Schools, and Mike Mitchem, President, McDowell County Board of Education, distributed information and addressed the State Board regarding progress in their respective counties.  Dr. Manchin was accompanied by a number of local board members and county administrative staff.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment A.)

IV. Break

President Persinger called for a break at 10:30 a.m.

V. Call to Order

President Persinger called the meeting back to order at 10:40 a.m.

VI. Lincoln and McDowell County Updates (Continued)

The presentation continued.

VII. Policy 5050 - West Virginia Commission for Professional Teaching Standards

Jack McClanahan, Assistant State Superintendent, Division of Administrative Services, introduced Karen Huffman, Director, Office of Professional Preparation, Division of Administrative Services, who distributed information and facilitated discussion regarding Policy 5050. 

Specific discussion regarding Policy 5050 included how it conforms with statute, a possibility of the addition of lay persons to the commission, how delaying appointments to vacant positions would affect the work of the commission, and the manner in which vacancies are filled.

President Persinger requested Ms. Chapman, Mrs. Fish, Mrs. Cook, Rebecca Tinder, General Counsel to the State Board and the Department, and Dr. Huffman to write a new draft of the policy, based on concerns issued during this discussion, and to bring the draft to the State Board for discussion/action.

Mrs. Fish indicated she would contact the chair of the commission in an effort to keep the commission informed of State Board action regarding Policy 5050.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment B and addendum.)

VIII. Break

President Persinger called for a break for lunch at 12:20 p.m.

IX. Call to Order

President Persinger called the meeting back to order at 1:00 p.m.

X. Budget

Mike McKown, Executive Director, Office of Internal Operations, Division of Administrative Services, distributed information and addressed the State Board regarding the fiscal year 2003-2004 budget and fiscal year 2005 improvements.  Discussion ensued regarding the budget cuts  and funds requested through the budget digest.  President Persinger questioned Dr. Stewart as to  whether the State  Board could do its job with regard to the Recht decision and requirements found in No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Both Dr. Stewart and Kenna R. Seal, Director of the Office of Education Performance Audits (OEPA) answered in the affirmative, barring any unforeseen circumstances.  

Mr. Spencer moved that the monies listed in the budget digest be released.  Ms. Haden moved to amend Mr. Spencer's motion to hold the monies until August 1.  Mr. Spencer refused to accept the amendment.  Mr. Jackson moved that Mr. Spencer's motion be delayed until later today or be held over until tomorrow.  Mr. Spencer supported the motion to delay.  Mrs. Hamilton seconded Mr. Jackson's motion and it was carried unanimously.

Ms. Chapman asked if the budget digest was proper as to form.  Dr. Stewart and Mr. McKown answered in the affirmative.

Discussion ensued regarding the proposed FY 2005 budget.  Dr. Mullen asked if funding had been requested with regard to the highly qualified teacher requirement found in NCLB.  Dr. Stewart indicated that an item addressing the highly qualified teacher requirement will be added to the proposed budget.   (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment C.)

XI. Break

President Persinger called for a break at 2:43 p.m.

XII. Call to Order

President Persinger called the meeting back to order at 3:00 p.m.

XIII. Follow-up to June Meeting at Cedar Lakes

President Persinger distributed information and facilitated this portion of the agenda.  Steven L. Paine, Deputy State Superintendent, was asked to provide the State Board with a review of the current strategic plan including the seven refined goals.  Discussion ensued regarding a process for updating the current strategic plan.  Mrs. Fish indicated that the strategic plan should be updated annually and that policies needed to implement the strategic plan should be identified.  Howard O'Cull, Executive Director, West Virginia School Boards Association, who was present at President Persinger's request, was asked to address the State Board regarding his thoughts as to how the State Board should proceed in the development of a strategic plan.  Dr. O'Cull suggested the Board complete the Smoley Effective School Boards questionnaire and allow his organization to compile the results to get a baseline to develop the State Board's leadership goals.  Mr. Jackson indicated the State Board must shift from an inputs model for improvement to a  performance-based model.  Mrs. Fish stated that the entire State Board must commit to the self-assessment process to assure accuracy.  It was suggested that the strategic planning process include the following:  1) all members will complete the self-assessment, and 2) the State Board will analyze current goals relative to NCLB provisions, Southern Regional Education Board goals and West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission goals.  President Persinger directed all State Board members to submit completed questionnaires to Dr. O'Cull by July 19 and directed Dr. Paine to make contact with an individual to serve as facilitator in the development of the strategic plan.  Dr. Paine and Dr. O'Cull will confer and provide suggestions regarding a facilitator and timelines for completion.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment D.)

XIV. Budget (Continued)

Discussion again ensued regarding the budget.

XV. Recess

Mr. Jackson moved, and Mrs. Hamilton seconded, that the meeting be recessed until 8:30 a.m. on July 10.  The meeting was recessed at 4:35 p.m.

XVI.   Reconvene

President Persinger reconvened the adjourned regular meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education that was recessed at 4:35 p.m. on July 9, 2003, at 8:30 a.m. on July 10, 2003, in the Board Conference Room, Capitol Building 6, Room 353, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard East, Charleston, West Virginia.

The following members were present: President Persinger, Vice-President Chapman, Secretary Spencer,  Mrs. Cook, Mrs.  Fish, Ms. Haden,  Mr. Morris, and ex officio Dr. Stewart.  Members absent were:  Mr. Jackson, Mrs. Hamilton, and ex officio Dr. Mullen.

XVII. Recess

Due to the absences noted above, the meeting was recessed at 8:36 a.m.

XVIII. Call to Order

President Persinger called the reconvened meeting of July 9 back to order with all members present at 8:45 a.m.

XIX. Budget (Continued from July 9)

Mrs. Fish  moved, and Mr. Morris seconded, that the budget digest monies be delivered.  Discussion ensued regarding the past procedure for the release of budget digest funds.  Ms. Haden

moved to amend the motion to permit the State Superintendent to release the digest monies as he deemed appropriate and in the best interests of the public education system.  After discussion, Ms. Haden's request to withdraw the amendment was granted.  The question was called and upon vote, the motion carried unanimously.

Dr. Stewart was asked to clarify whether it was and is appropriate that the President of the State Board have the right and authority to direct the State Superintendent of Schools to hold the release of budget digest monies.  Dr. Stewart answered in the affirmative.  Furthermore, it is noted that it is the State Board's understanding that Drs. Stewart and Seal have projected for their budgets what is needed to operate effectively and efficiently in the coming year.

Also discussed was the fact that OEPA budget needs are being met, in part, through a transfer of  monies from the WVDE.

XX.      Adjourn

Upon motion by Ms. Haden, seconded by Mrs. Cook, the State Board unanimously adjourned the meeting of July 9, 2003 at 9:00 a.m. on July 10, 2003.

     Minutes approved by the State Board on August 14, 2003.

      _________________________________________________

     Sandra M. Chapman, President

     _________________________________________________

     Barbara N. Fish, Secretary

Minutes were recorded by

     Virginia M. Harris

Executive Secretary to

      the State Board.

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