Vice-President Barbara N. Fish called the regular meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education to order at 1:05 p.m. on March 10, 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 (via telephone), Vice-President Barbara N. Fish, Secretary Sheila M. Hamilton, 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, and J. Michael Mullen, Chancellor, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.

II.

Upon motion by Mr. Spencer, seconded by Mr. Morris, the Board unanimously approved the agenda as presented.

III.

Mike Hayden, Executive Director, West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission, addressed the Board regarding the scheduling of WESTEST and the state tournaments.

IV.

Superintendent Stewart addressed the Board regarding his tendered resignation and read the following statement:

At the February 10^th, 2004 meeting, the West Virginia Board of Education approved my resignation, effective June 30, 2004. Upon reflection and reconsideration, I would request the State Board consider my request to change the effective date from June 30, 2004 to June 30, 2006.

Ms. Haden moved, and Mrs. Cook seconded, that the effective date of Dr. Stewart's resignation be changed from June 30, 2004 to June 30, 2006. The motion was carried unanimously.

V.

Thomas E. Johnston, United States Attorney, Northern District of West Virginia, distributed information and addressed the Board regarding school related initiatives of the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of West Virginia. Attorney Johnston indicated he would provide additional information regarding a school violence video to the State Superintendent, prior to the April meeting, for an informational review. Mr. Johnston stated that he would be available to attend the April meeting in Marshall County to answer any additional questions.

Following discussion, clarification was issued that a program or initiative that is not under the direction of the State Board/State Department must be approved by the local county board of education prior to its introduction to a public school. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment A.)

VI.

Dana E. Waldo, West Virginia Round Table, distributed information and addressed the Board regarding "West Virginia: A Vision Shared!" education initiatives. Vision Shared is a comprehensive economic development strategy that builds on West Virginia's strengths and seeks solutions to challenging issues. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment B.)

VII.

Vice-President Fish called for a break at 1:58 p.m.

VIII.

Vice-President Fish called the meeting back to order at 2:09 p.m.

IX.

Jack McClanahan, Assistant State Superintendent, Division of Administrative Services, presented Policy 5112, for the Board's consideration. (Copy appended to Official Minutes of March 11, 2004 at Attachment Q and addendum.)

Dr. McClanahan also distributed information and addressed the Board regarding vacancies on the West Virginia Commission for Professional Teaching Standards. Clarification was requested regarding the word "represents" in the memorandum at number 1. Following discussion it was decided that the word "represents" be replaced with the phrase "is a member of." (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment C.)

X.

Following introductory remarks from Vice-President Fish regarding the membership and work of the Medication Administration Committee, Melanie Purkey, Executive Director, Office of Student Services and Health Promotion, Division of Instructional and Student Services, presented Policy 2422.8 for the Board's consideration. (Copy appended to Official Minutes of March 11, 2004 at Attachment P.)

XI.

Don Chapman, Assistant Director, and Lisa Burton, Coordinator, Division of Instructional and Student Services, provided an update regarding Policy 4373 - Student Code of Conduct and safe school and character education initiatives. Ms. Burton requested Board representation on the committee to assist in the selection of the recipient of the Paul J. Morris Character Educator of the Year Award and President Chapman appointed Mr. Morris to the committee. Ms. Burton is to provide members information regarding a proposed statewide character education program focusing on habits. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment D.)

XII.

Beverly Kingery, Coordinator, Division of Instructional and Student Services, provided a progress report regarding the Grammar for All initiative.

XIII.

Vice-President Fish recessed the meeting at 3:37 p.m. and announced that the meeting would reconvene at the Charleston Marriott at 4:30 p.m. for a discussion with current and past recipients of the Milken educator award.

XIV.

Vice-President Fish called the meeting back to order at 4:40 p.m. in the Kanawha Room at the Charleston Marriott.

XV.