MINUTES WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION

Board Conference Room

Capitol Building 6, Room 353

1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East

Charleston, West Virginia

January 15, 2004

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 January 15, 2004, 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, Delores W. Cook, Priscilla M. Haden, Burma Hatfield, Lowell E. Johnson, Paul J. Morris, Ronald B. Spencer and ex officios David Stewart, State Superintendent of Schools.  Members absent were: Sheila M. Hamilton and ex officio J. Michael Mullen, Chancellor, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.

II. Ceremonial Oath of Office

State Superintendent Stewart administered the ceremonial Oath of Office to Burma Hatfield and Lowell E. Johnson.

III. Delegations

   Donald Casto addressed the Board regarding a dangerous bus stop near his residence in Jackson County.

IV. Approval of Agenda

Upon motion by Mr. Morris, seconded by Mrs. Cook, the Board unanimously approved the agenda with the following modification: Mrs. Fish requested that item 6.  Professional Development Committee Report, located under Reports, be the first order of business under Reports and the remaining reports be renumbered.

V. Improving Achievement Levels for All Students

Dr. Patricia S. Kusimo, Appalachia Educational Laboratory Consultant, distributed information and addressed the Board regarding student achievement and improving the performance of poor and minority youth. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment A.)

VI. Director's Information   

Office of Education Performance Audits (OEPA)

Kenna R. Seal, Director, OEPA, addressed the Board regarding Policy 2320 - A Process for Improving Education:  Performance Based Accreditation System, and the policy's compliance with the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. 

VII. Draft Education Performance Audit Report for the

Mason County School System

An announced Education Performance Audit was conducted in the Mason County School System.  The review also consisted of a resource evaluation.  A concern was issued regarding an instructional time waiver granted to Hannan High School; full discussion of this issue was delayed to later in the meeting to allow staff time to research and report concerning the issue.  

Upon recommendation of Dr. Seal and a motion by Ms. Haden, seconded by Mr. Morris, the Board unanimously continued the Full Approval status of the Mason County School System and the Full Accreditation status of all Mason County schools.  The county and schools have six months to correct findings of noncompliance listed in the report.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment B.)

VIII. Draft Education Performance Audit Report for the

   Tyler County School System

An announced Education Performance Audit was conducted in the Tyler County School System.  The review also consisted of a resource evaluation.

Upon recommendation of Dr. Seal and a motion by Mr. Morris, seconded by Mrs. Cook, the Board unanimously continued the Full Approval status of the Tyler County School System, the Exemplary Accreditation status of one school and the Full Accreditation status of the remaining three schools.  The county and schools have six months to correct findings of noncompliance listed in the report.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment C.)

IX. Draft Individual School Education Performance Audit Report

for Dixie Elementary School, Nicholas County

An announced on-site review was conducted at Dixie Elementary School in Nicholas County on December 2, 2003.  The Office of Education Performance Audits conducted the review which was limited in scope to the performance, process, and progress standards relative to school and student achievement.  The review also consisted of resource evaluation.

Upon recommendation of Dr. Seal and a motion by Ms. Haden, seconded by Mrs. Cook, the Board unanimously granted Dixie Elementary 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 D.)

X. Draft Individual School Education Performance Audit Report

for Eastern Greenbrier Junior High School, Greenbrier County

An announced on-site review was conducted at Eastern Greenbrier Junior High School in Greenbrier County on November 18, 2003. The Office of Education Performance Audits conducted the review which was limited in scope to the performance, process and progress standards relative to school and student achievement.  The review also consisted of a resource evaluation.

Upon recommendation of Dr. Seal and a motion by Mr. Spencer, seconded by Mrs. Fish, the Board unanimously granted Eastern Greenbrier Junior 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 E.)

XI. Break

President Chapman called for a break at 9:52 a.m.

XII. Call to Order

President Chapman called the meeting back to order at 10:11 a.m.

XIII. Draft Education Performance Audit Report for the

Mason County School System  (Continued)

 

Karen Larry, Executive Assistant to the State Superintendent, and Donna Davis, Deputy Director, OEPA, addressed the Board and provided their findings regarding the waiver request of Hannan High School.

XIV. Reports

Professional Development Committee Report.  Mrs. Fish, Chair, distributed information and reviewed the Board's goals for professional development.  Discussion ensued and modifications were made to the document during the meeting.  Following discussion Mrs. Fish moved that the document, as amended, be approved.  Following discussion, including a request that action be deferred to the end of reports to allow the document to be amended and distributed prior to the vote, the motion died for lack of a second and action on this item was postponed until a corrected document could be provided. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment F.)

Regional Education Service Agency (RESA) Committee Report.  Mrs. Fish, Chair, asked Dr. Stewart to introduce the RESA Executive Directors in attendance who were:  Chuck Nichols, RESA III, John Hough, RESA VIII, and Elmer Pritt, RESA IV.  Mrs. Fish, on behalf of the committee, proposed, and the Board accepted, that beginning May 1 the RESAs, individually,  will provide to Board members their agenda, minutes of each advisory council meeting, and a monthly calendar of events a month in advance of each meeting.  Mrs. Fish also recommended that all Executive Directors be directed to attend the March (Wednesday session) meeting of the Board. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment G.)

Strategic Planning Committee Report.  Mr. Morris distributed information regarding the strategic plan and recommended, and the Board accepted, that the committee continue its work, along with Department staff, in the development of the Board's strategic plan which will be brought before the Board on a periodic basis.  Ms. Haden suggested the committee would benefit from the addition of another Board member.  President Chapman sought a volunteer and Dr. Johnson agreed to serve on the committee. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment H.)

Legislative Committee Report.  Mr. Spencer, Chair, provided an update regarding activities of the Legislative Committee and indicated that Drs. Stewart and Paine would keep the Board apprized of legislative activities and the standard notification of bills and actions would continue. 

     Public Relations Committee Report.  Mrs. Fish provided an update regarding the work of the Public Relations Committee and introduced Liza Corderio, Executive Director, Communications Office, who announced an upcoming media event, "Recipe for Success." The media event will take place at John Adams Junior High School in Kanawha County on January 21 at 8:00 a.m.

Policy 4336 (Transportation) Committee Report.  Mrs. Cook, Chair, indicated that the committee made modifications to the policy, and that additional concerns must be addressed prior to its submission to the Board for action.  Another meeting is scheduled for January 26 at 10:30 a.m. in Charleston.

XV. Break

President Chapman called for a break at 11:32 a.m.

XVI. Call to Order

President Chapman called the meeting back to order at 11:50 a.m.

XVII. Reports (Continued)

State Board Member Reports.  President Chapman announced a new committee, dealing with obesity, that is to be chaired by Mrs. Hamilton, and asked for suggestions as to committee membership.  Ms. Haden distributed an article regarding a group entitled Vision Shared and asked the Department to investigate Board/Department participation and representation.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment I.)

President Chapman reviewed Board representation on all standing committees and the following additional groups were named for inclusion: 1) Process for Improving Education Council, 2) Nutrition Advisory Council, 2) Task Force on Content Majors in Teacher Preparation, 3)Collaborative Leadership Group for Higher Education, 4) School Calendar, and 5) Cross-County Issues.  President Chapman, in response to yesterday's discussion with the House Education Committees, requested volunteers to serve on the School Calendar and Cross-County Issues committees.  Ms. Hatfield and Mrs. Cook volunteered to serve on the School Calendar committee, and Dr. Johnson and Ms. Haden volunteered to serve on the Cross-County Issues committee. 

Dr. Stewart stated that a report would be brought before the Board next month regarding graduation requirements and indicated that members will be provided, via e-mail, a link to the legislative events webpage.

Professional Development Committee Report (Continued).   Mrs. Fish presented the goals for professional development document, as modified during the earlier discussion, and requested that language in the modified document stated as "county school districts or county boards of education" be changed to "all county school systems" and moved that the document, as modified and amended, be approved.  Mr. Spencer seconded the motion.  The motion was carried unanimously.  Ms. Haden asked that her concern be noted with regard to the use language other than "county boards of education". (Copy appended to Official Minutes, at Attachment J.)

Mrs. Fish provided updates regarding her work with the Medication Administration Policy committee and stated that the policy will be presented to the Board for action in February.  Mrs. Fish also provided an update regarding protocol being developed to comply with the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education standards and indicated that the protocol will be presented to the Board in February.  Mrs. Fish and Mr. Spencer also provided updates regarding their participation on National Association of State Boards of Education committees.

Dr. Stewart reported that he met with representatives of the Speech-Language-Pathology community and requested the Board's direction regarding policy review.  Dr. Stewart was directed to continue his work and to provide periodic updates.

XVIII. Consent Agenda     

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

minutes of December 11 and 12, 2003.  (Attachment K.)

     

budget supplement and transfer requests for the month of December 2003 as follows: Total Supplements = $16,575,492  Total Transfers = $15,856,854 (Attachment L.) 

an amendment to the Berkeley County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan (CEFP) the including the following:  1) Berkeley Heights Elementary - remove six modular classrooms; 2) Marlowe Elementary - addition of two modular classrooms; 3) Martinsburg High - addition of three modular classrooms; 4) Martinsburg North Middle - addition of one modular classroom; 6) Martinsburg South Middle - addition of one modular classroom; 7) Rosemont Elementary  - remove two modular classrooms; and, 8) Valley View Elementary - addition of two modular classrooms.

an amendment to the Greenbrier County CEFP to include the construction of a new Lewisburg Elementary School. 

an amendment to the Jackson County Board of Education CEFP to include the construction of a six classroom addition to Fairplain Elementary School. 

an amendment to the Mineral County Board of Education CEFP to include the closure/reconfiguration of Elk Garden Primary/Middle School from a Pre- k-8 facility to a Pre-k-5 facility.  The name of the school will be changed to Elk Garden Primary School.  Students in grades 6-8 will attend Keyser Primary/Middle School.

an amendment to the Mingo County Board of Education CEFP to include the closure of Varney Elementary School and Burch Middle School.  Varney Elementary students and Burch Middle School grades 4-6 will attend a reconfigured Pre-k-6 Burch Elementary School.  Burch Middle School grades 7-8  will attend Burch High School, which will be reconfigured from a 9-12 to a 7-12 facility.

an amendment to the Pleasants County Board of Education CEFP to include the following:   Pleasants County Middle School - 1)  remodeling of the restrooms; 2) site drainage, sidewalk additions, blacktop resurfacing, and lighting at the driveway; 3) a building addition for health education, science laboratories (including furnishings), and circulation; 4) roofing; and, 5) a telephone system. Belmont Elementary School - 1) plumbing renovations; 2) addition of central air conditioning and return air filtration; 3) addition of a faculty restroom; 4) installation of new flooring in the gymnasium; 5) installation of a handicap ramp; 6) building addition for physical therapy, speech, a multipurpose room, a conference room and circulation; and 7) addition of lockers.  St. Marys Elementary School - 1) remodeling of the restrooms; and, 2) installation of new flooring in the gymnasium.

an amendment to the Roane County Board of Education CEFP to include the DDC control up-grade at Spencer Elementary School. 

an amendment to the Wyoming County Board of Education CEFP to include a multi-purpose auxiliary gymnasium  at Wyoming County East High School.

waiver requests for Part One of the December 2003 Principals Leadership Academy as follows:  1)  Carl C. Cobb, Mountain View Elementary/Middle School (Monroe County), 2) Janice Mills, Petersburg High School (Grant County), 3) Daryla Ropp, Davis Thomas Elementary/Middle School (Tucker County), 4) Keri Starcher, Cottageville Elementary School (Jackson County), and 5) Edward Webster, Montcalm High School (Mercer County). 

personnel items for the Department of Education and RESA personnel items as listed in the attachment. (Attachment M.)

continuation of the Temporary Accreditation status of Big Elm Elementary School.  (Attachment Mc.)

 

continuation of the Full Accreditation status of Buffalo Elementary School.  (Attachment N.)

 

continuation of the Full Accreditation status of Spanishburg School.  (Attachment O.)

 

continuation of the Temporary Accreditation status of Stratton Elementary   School.  (Attachment P.)

 

continuation of the Temporary Accreditation status of Buckhannon-Upshur Intermediate School.  (Attachment Q.)

a mid-year progress  report on the Strategic Plan FY2004 for the Office of Education Performance Audits.  (Attachment R.)

results of the 2003 Youth Risk Behavior Survey.   (Attachment S.)

a progress report on Reading First.  (Attachment T.) 

    

XIX. Safe Schools Report

Mary Jane Kerwood, Coordinator, Division of Instructional and Student Services, provided the Board an update regarding the Safe School initiative with particular emphasis on the reporting of violations as required by Policy 4373, Student Code of Conduct.  A brief overview of prevention programming was also included to demonstrate the effectiveness of proven strategies and resources to address school climate issues. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment U.)

XX. Policy 2417 - Programs of Study for

Limited English Proficient (LEP) Students

Amelia Courts, Coordinator, Division of Instructional and Student Services, addressed the Board regarding Policy 2417.  Revision of Policy 2417 is being recommended to enable the first annual standards-based assessment of LEP students to be implemented statewide.  In order to promote successful achievement results, appropriate instructional and programmatic support requirements are also being recommended.  Many of the support requirements are required by federal policy.  In addition, based on teacher feedback, a committee reviewed the standards and indicators, previously approved under Policy 2417, and recommended minor revisions.

Upon motion by Mrs. Fish, seconded by Dr. Johnson, the Board unanimously placed Policy 2417 on public comment for thirty days.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment V.)

XXI. Policy 2520.4 - Social Studies Content Standards and Objectives

for West Virginia Schools

Sharon Flack, Coordinator, Division of Instructional and Student Services, addressed the Board regarding Policy 2520.4.  Policy 2520.4 defines the content standards and objectives for Social Studies as required by Policy 2510. The Board approved initial work on the Social Studies content standards in December 2001. This revision adds to the policy's content standards and objectives for high school electives in civics/government, economics, and geography.  Policy 2520.4 was placed on public comment at the October 9,  2003 meeting of the Board.  The comments received from one individual required no changes to the policy.  

Upon motion by Mr. Morris, seconded by Ms. Haden, the Board unanimously approved Policy 2520.4.  Ms. Flack was directed to provide Delegate Walter Duke a copy of the policy along with a letter in response to his comments during the Board's meeting with House Education on January 14.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment W.)

XXII. Discussion of West Virginia Board of Education Policies

Steven L. Paine, Deputy State Superintendent, and Rebecca Tinder, General Counsel, to the Board and the Department lead a discussion regarding Board policies.  Ms. Tinder recommended that the Board permit public comment on the Board's intent to repeal the 23 policies found in the attachment.  Dr. Johnson asked that the reason for repeal be added for each policy and Ms. Haden requested that all stakeholders be notified of the Board's intent to repeal the policies.  

Upon motion by Mrs. Fish, seconded by Mrs. Cook, the Board unanimously approved a public comment period of thirty days regarding the Board's intent to repeal the 23 policies listed in the attachment. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment X.)

XXIII. Future Meetings

 

The next regular meeting of the Board will be held February 10-11, 2004 in Charleston, West Virginia.

XXIV.      Adjournment

Upon motion by Mr. Spencer, seconded by Mrs. Cook, and unanimously carried, the Board adjourned at 1:52 p.m.

     Minutes approved by the Board on February 11, 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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