MINUTES WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION

Board Conference Room

Capitol Building 6, Room 353

1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East

Charleston, West Virginia

December 11, 2003

I.   Call to Order

President Sandra M. Chapman called the regular meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education to order at 8:30 a.m. on December 11, 2003, in the Board Conference Room, Capitol Building 6, Room 353, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East, Charleston, West Virginia.

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

II. Recognitions

Frank Andrews, Superintendent, Office of Institutional Education Programs, Division of Instructional and Student Services, recognized Lead Teacher, Judy Burkle, and Special Needs Teacher, Jeff Richard, from the education program for special needs adults at the St. Marys Correctional Center, which was awarded the 2003 Adult Education Program of the Year by the West Virginia Adult Education Association at its annual meeting at Stonewall Jackson State Park on November 7, 2003.

Tony Smedley, Executive Director, Office of Human Resources, Superintendent's Office,  introduced Doris Bowers, who was West Virginia's 1966 Teacher of the Year, and presented her with a certificate of recognition.

III. Delegations

Tammy DeMarcy and Glenna Pickett, PTO members, Switchback Elementary (McDowell County), distributed information and addressed the Board regarding the proposed closure of Switchback Elementary. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment A.)

IV. Approval of Agenda

Upon motion by Mrs. Fish, seconded by Mr. Spencer, the Board unanimously approved the agenda with the following modifications:  President Chapman requested the following changes - from page 4 move items D. Update - Middle Level Education and E. Update - Early Childhood Education to the Consent Agenda under Routine Business and identify as items 10 and 11 and rename the remaining reports (F becomes C and G becomes D); from pages 11 and 12 move items B. Policy 2520.15 - Early Learning Standards Framework Content Standards and Learning Criteria for West Virginia Pre-Kindergarten (WV-Pre-k), C. Policy 5309 - County Superintendent Performance Evaluations, and, D.  Policy 2510 - Assuring the Quality of Education:  Regulations for Education Programs to the Consent Agenda under New Business and identify as items 6, 7, and, 8 and rename remaining items  (E becomes B and F becomes C).  Dr. Stewart requested the following changes - from page 4 move item C. Update - International Exchange Student Programs to follow the Approval of the Agenda; from page 6, delete item 4. Amendment - Webster County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan (CEFP)and rename the remaining items; and, from page 13, delete item G. Approval of Two New Content Specializations for Two Higher Education Institutions of Professional Preparation.

V. Update - International Exchange Student Programs

Amelia Courts, Coordinator, Division of Instructional and Student Services, provided an update regarding international exchange student programs.  Ms. Courts outlined challenges encountered by school systems, summarized resources and best practices for meeting those challenges, and made recommendations to support schools in this process.  In keeping with the intent of West Virginia Board of Education policies to provide a safe and orderly environment that is conducive to learning for all students, an investigation was conducted into current practices and procedures for how international exchange students are being served in West Virginia schools.

The Board directed Ms. Courts to continue to follow the recommendations as stated in the report.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment B.)

VI. Draft Individual School Education Performance Audit Reports  for

Watson Elementary School and Mannington Middle School,  Marion County

Announced on-site reviews were conducted at Watson Elementary School and Mannington Middle School in Summers County on October 28, 2003.  The Office of Education Performance Audits conducted the reviews which were limited in scope to the performance and process standards relative to school and student achievement.  The reviews also consisted of resource evaluation.

Upon recommendation of Dr. Seal and a motion by Ms. Haden, seconded by Mrs. Cook, the Board unanimously granted Watson Elementary School and Mannington Middle School the accreditation status listed in the individual school reports and gave the schools six months to correct the Education Performance Audit findings of noncompliance listed in the reports.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment C.)

VII. Draft Individual School Education Performance Audit Reports

  for  Brookhaven Elementary School and

Westwood Middle School, Monongalia County

Announced on-site reviews were conducted at Brookhaven Elementary School and Westwood Middle School in Monongalia County on October 29, 2003.  The Office of Education Performance Audits conducted the reviews which were limited in scope to the performance and process standards relative to school and student achievement.  The reviews also consisted of resource evaluation.

Upon recommendation of Dr. Seal and a motion by Mrs. Hamilton, seconded by Mr. Morris, the Board unanimously granted Brookhaven Elementary School and Westwood Middle School the accreditation status listed in the individual school reports and gave the schools six months to correct the Education Performance Audit findings of noncompliance listed in the reports.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment D.)

VIII. Draft Individual School Education Performance Audit Report

for Beckley-Stratton Middle School, Raleigh County

An announced on-site review was conducted at Beckley-Stratton Middle School in Raleigh County on November 13, 2003.  The Office of Education Performance Audits conducted the review which was limited in scope to the performance and process standards relative to school and student achievement.  The review also consisted of resource evaluation.

Upon recommendation of Dr. Seal and a motion by Mrs. Fish, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, the Board unanimously granted Beckley-Stratton Middle School the accreditation status listed in the individual school report and gave the school six months to correct the Education  Performance Audit findings of noncompliance listed in the report.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment E.)

IX. Draft Individual School Education Performance Audit Report

for Princeton Senior High School, Mercer County

An announced on-site review was conducted at Princeton Senior High School in Mercer County on November 14, 2003.  The Office of Education Performance Audits conducted the review which was limited in scope to the performance and process standards relative to school and student achievement.  The review also consisted of resource evaluation.

Upon recommendation of Dr. Seal and a motion by Mrs. Cook, seconded by Ms. Haden, the Board unanimously granted Princeton Senior High School the accreditation status listed in the individual school report and gave the school six months to correct the Education Performance Audit findings of noncompliance listed in the report.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment F.)

X. Reports

RESA Committee Report.  Mrs. Fish provided a report on behalf of the RESA Committee  and reminded the assembly that the RESA policy is currently on comment and is expected to be presented to the Board for action at the January meeting.

Strategic Planning Committee Report.  President Chapman and Ms. Haden reported that the Board's vision statement, mission statement, and goals were approved at the December 10 meeting.

Policy 4336 Committee Report.  Mrs. Cook reported that the committee met and work has begun regarding the review of Policy 4336.

Professional Development Committee Report.  Mrs. Fish provided a report on behalf of the Professional Development Committee.  President Chapman named the following individuals to assist Board members  in the work of the committee: John Hough, Executive Director, RESA VIII, Karen Larry, Executive Assistant to the State Superintendent, and a member of a local school district professional development council (to be identified by Mrs. Fish).  

State Board Member Reports.  Ms. Haden provided a report regarding her participation on the Higher Education Policy Commission's Task Force on Content Majors in Teacher Preparation, attendance at an Education Alliance event, and a visit to Davis-Thomas Elementary School's (Tucker County) pre-kindergarten and BRIDGES program.  Dr. Mullen reported on the formation of an Education Council of the States steering committee and requested board member participation in regional meetings.  Ms. Haden, in response to a call for a volunteer from President Chapman, will represent the Board on the steering committee;  it was also suggested that a RESA Executive Director serve on the committee and that Dr. Stewart provide a recommendation.  Mrs. Cook reported on her attendance at an Education Alliance meeting.  President Chapman asked for a volunteer to serve on an NCATE committee; Mrs. Fish volunteered.  President Chapman reported Clacy Williams, Executive Director, School Building Authority (SBA) of West Virginia, is to supply information to the Board prior to Monday regarding abandoned facilities in light of the recent round of county requests for SBA funds.  President Chapman reported that Clacy Williams, Executive Director, School Building Authority (SBA) of West Virginia, has been asked to supply members of the Authority information regarding potentially abandoned facilities in respect to the county requests for SBA funds/the anticipated distribution of funds in December.

XI. Break

President Chapman called for a break at 9:55 a.m.

XII. Call to Order

President Chapman called the meeting back to order at 10:07 a.m.

XIII. Reports (Continued)

Responding to H. B. 2208:  What Have We Learned?  Melanie Purkey, Executive Director, Office of Student Services and Health Promotion, Division of Instructional and Student Services, introduced Clete Bulach, Ph.D., Professional Development and Assessment Center, Villa Rica, Georgia, who provided a report on the independent evaluation conducted of the state's Character Education program as required by W.Va. Code 18-2-13 (H.B. 2208).  This evaluation study was conducted through a contract with the Professional Development and Assessment Center.  The report was presented to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability on September 9, 2003, in accordance with legislative mandate.  The significant information provided by this evaluation study shows a positive correlation between achievement and character behavior.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment G and addendum.)

Coordinated and Thematic Science (CATS) for Grades Nine and Ten.  Mike Kees, Coordinator, Division of Instructional and Student Services, reported that, based on research he has conducted, the Content Standards and Objectives for science in the ninth and tenth grades should remain unchanged except for clarification purposes for the next two years.  Any significant alteration to the contents of these documents would produce a substantial ripple effect that could have a negative impact on science classrooms.  Counties have been staffing and equipping schools for a number of years to deliver CATS.  Major revisions would result in possible certification problems, non-alignment with WESTEST and Board policies, and would require a significant investment to provide adequate laboratory equipment and materials.

Food and Beverage Sales in Schools.  Mary Kay Harrison, Executive Director, Office of Child Nutrition, Division of Administrative Services, on behalf of the Nutrition Advisory Council, as specified in Policy 4321.1, provided an overview of current research related to negative trends in child health and nutrition, with emphasis on childhood obesity.  The report specifically addressed the implications of selling and marketing low-nutrient foods to students through vending machines, school stores and other school-sponsored activities.  The report contained six policy recommendations to further ensure healthful school environments and expand opportunities for students to learn and practice healthful food and beverage choices at school.  Dr. Stewart requested that the Offices of Child Nutrition and Student Services and Health Promotion  provide additional data regarding the proposals and Ms. Haden requested that feedback from principals be included in the data. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment H.)

XIV. Consent Agenda

Upon motion by Mrs. Fish, seconded by Mrs. Cook, the Board unanimously approved/received the consent agenda as previously amended.  (Copies appended to Official Minutes, Attachments I-V.)  The following items were approved/received:

Minutes of November 12 and 13, 2003.  (Attachment I.)       

Budget supplement and transfer requests for the month of November 2003 as follows:   Total Supplements = $21,104,335  Total Transfers = $16,735,960.  (Attachment J.) 

An amendment to the Randolph County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan (CEFP) to include a Licensed Practical Nurse Program building addition with classrooms, a computer  laboratory and offices for the Vocational Technical Center.

An amendment to the Morgan County CEFP to include the following:  1)  closure North Berkeley Elementary School effective at the conclusion of the 2003-2004 school year and re-assign the student population to Widmyer Elementary School; and, 2) reconfiguration of grade levels at Widmyer Elementary School from grades 2-5 to Pre-k-2 effective at the conclusion of the2003-2004 school year and re-assignment of grades 3-5 students to Warm Springs Intermediate School.

An amendment to the Cabell County CEFP to include the replacement of the HVAC system at Spring Hill Elementary School.

An amendment to the Jefferson County CEFP to include the following:  1) bus-car loop separation at Shepherdstown and South Jefferson Elementary; 2) drainage rectification system at C. W. Shipley Elementary; 3)  HVAC controls package at C. W. Shipley Elementary, North Jefferson Elementary, and South Jefferson Elementary.

Eighteen (18) applications for a total of 1,272 applications for Operation Recognition in connection with Policy 4355.  (Attachment K.)   

Eleven (11) waiver requests:  (a)  six (6) requests for continuation of waivers of instructional material adoption; (b) three (3) new requests for waivers of instructional material adoption; (c) one (1) request for continuation of a waiver of State Board policy; and, (d) one (1) new request for a wavier of State Board policy.  (Attachment L.)

Waiver requests for two (2) assistant principals:  Nancy G. Warrenfeltz, Martinsburg High School (Berkeley County), and Stacey Lusk, Sandy River Middle School (McDowell County), for Part One of the December 2003 Principals Leadership Academy.

Personnel items for the Department of Education, Schools for the Deaf and the Blind and RESA personnel items as listed in the attachment. (Attachment M.) 

An update on progress toward implementation of Refined Goal 4 - Building Middle Level Education.  Accomplishments, activities to date, and current challenges will be discussed.  Recommendations for addressing the challenges will be provided.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment Mc.)

   An update on early childhood education from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade including a brief overview  of the WV Pre-k system and professional development efforts for kindergarten through fourth grade teachers.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment N.)

Continued Full Accreditation status for Daybrook Elementary School and Temporary Accreditation status for Cass Elementary School and Clay-Battelle Middle/High School, Monongalia County  (Attachment O.)  

Continued Full Accreditation status for Philippi Elementary School, Barbour County.  (Attachment P.)

Continued Full Accreditation status for Martin Elementary School and Temporary Accreditation status for VanDevender Junior High, Wood County, with a June 30, 2006 Date Certain.  (Attachment Q.)

Continued  Full Accreditation status for Central Elementary School and Moundsville Junior High School, Marshall County.  (Attachment R.)  

The 2003 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results for reading and mathematics for grades 4 and 8.  (Attachment S.)

The placement of Policy 2520.15, Early Learning Standards Framework Content Standards and Learning Criteria for West Virginia Pre-kindergarten (WV-Pre-k), on public comment for thirty days.  (Attachment T.)

Policy 5309, County Superintendent Performance Evaluations, as amended on December 10, 2003.  (Attachment U.) 

The placement of Policy 2510, Assuring the Quality of Education: Regulations for Education Programs on public comment until January 30, 2004.  (Attachment V.)

XV. Matters Regarding West Virginia School Boards Association/

West Virginia Board of Education School Board Member

Training Standards Review Committee (TSRC)

Howard O'Cull, Executive Director, West Virginia Schools Board Association presented the proposed TSRC Procedures of Operation and appointments to the TSRC for the Board's consideration.  The TSRC, created by the Board in 1989, oversees rules, regulations and procedures for county boards of education members' training, as required by W.Va. Code 18-5-1a.  A committee, appointed by former Board President Howard Persinger, met with West Virginia School Boards Association (WVSBA) officials over the summer to develop the proposed revisions to existing regulations and to suggest appointees for the TSRC committee.  As it has operated since 1989, the TSRC works on behalf of the Board to determine matters regarding school board member training.  At the conclusion of each fiscal year WVSBA provides a listing of each county board member's hours of training.  That particular report has been distributed directly to the Board by WVSBA staff for previous consideration.

Upon motion by Ms. Haden, seconded by Mrs. Cook, the Board unanimously approved the recommended number of 19 committee members (and the names as recommended) and the reappointment of Mrs. Hamilton, Mr. Morris and Mr. Spencer as found in Attachment W.

Upon motion by Mr. Morris, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, the Board unanimously approved the revised TSRC Procedures of Operation.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment W.)

XVI. Joint Resolution - Parent and Family Involvement

Karen Larry, Executive Assistant to the State Superintendent, Nancy Drake, Coordinator, Division of Instructional and Student Services, and Jenny Raber, West Virginia Parent Teacher Association (WVPTA), distributed information and  presented a joint resolution regarding parent and family involvement for the Board's consideration.  The Board and the West Virginia Parent Teacher Association have long histories of fostering, promoting, and establishing means to ensure meaningful parent involvement within a child's education process.  This joint resolution acknowledges the importance of parent and family involvement in education and emphasizes the need for collaborative relationships between families and schools for strengthening student learning.  It was stated that this resolution is not specific to any organization and that the Board encourages parental involvement through various avenues that may be available in West Virginia schools.

Upon motion by Mrs. Fish, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, the Board unanimously adopted the resolution.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment X and addendum.)

XVII. Appointments to the West Virginia Commission

for Professional Teaching Standards

Jack McClanahan, Assistant State Superintendent, Division of Administrative Services, provided the Board two recommendations to fill the layperson appointments to the West Virginia Commission for Professional Teaching Standards.  Revisions to Board Policy 5050 - West Virginia Commission on Professional Teaching Standards, were approved at the October 2003 Board meeting.  One of the approved revisions provided for the appointment of two laypersons to the commission.

Upon motion by Mr. Spencer, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, the Board unanimously approved Vicki Douglas of Berkeley County and Ruth Ann Scherich of Ohio County to the vacant layperson positions on the West Virginia Commission for Professional Teaching Standards.

XVIII. Executive Session

Mrs. Fish moved, and Mrs. Cook seconded, that the Board go into executive session as provided in W.Va. Code 6-9A-4(b)(2)(A) (personnel exception) to discuss personnel matters.  The Board entered into executive session at 11:37 a.m.

XIX. Return from Executive Session

The Board returned from executive session at 12:02 p.m. at which time President Chapman announced that no decisions had been made or action taken.

XX. Future Meetings

It is anticipated that another meeting may be scheduled this month. The next regular meeting of the Board will be held January 14-15, 2004, in Charleston, West Virginia.

XXI.      Adjournment

Upon motion by Mrs. Fish, seconded by Ms. Haden, and unanimously carried, the Board adjourned at 12:05 p.m.

     Minutes approved by the Board on January 15, 2004.

                            ______________________________________________

     Sandra M. Chapman, President

     ______________________________________________

     Sheila M. Hamilton, Secretary

Minutes were recorded by

     Virginia M. Harris

Executive Secretary to

           the Board.

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