MINUTES

WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION

Putnam County Schools

Board Room

9 Courthouse Drive

Winfield, West Virginia

March 10, 2005

I.

President Barbara N. Fish called the regular meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) to order at 8:30 a.m. on March 10, 2005, in the Board Room at Putnam County Schools, 9 Courthouse Drive, Winfield, West Virginia.

The following members were present: President Fish, Vice President Lowell E. Johnson, Secretary Priscilla M. Haden, Mrs. Delores W. Cook, Mrs. Sheila Hamilton, Ms. Burma Hatfield, Mr. Paul J. Morris, Mr. Ronald B. Spencer and ex officio Dr. David Stewart, State Superintendent of Schools. Members absent were: Ms. Sandra M. Chapman (present via telephone for a portion of the meeting where noted), and ex officios Dr. J. Michael Mullen, Chancellor, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, and Mr. James L. Skidmore, West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education

II.

Mr. Harold "Chuck" Hatfield, Superintendent of Putnam County Schools, welcomed the Board, introduced his staff and provided a brief overview of accomplishments and initiatives.

III.

President Fish and Mrs. Cook recognized Justin Lutsy, Sherman High School, Boone County, recipient of the 2005 West Virginia High School Heisman Award. President Fish recognized Brenda Arrowood, Wayne County High School, recipient of the 2005 ProStart®Teacher Excellence Award.

IV.

Upon motion by Mr. Spencer, seconded by Ms. Haden, the Board unanimously approved the agenda with the following modifications: 4^th Annual West Virginia ProStart® Hospitality Cup recognitions moved to 10:00 a.m. and Regional Education Service Agency (RESA) I presentation moved to1:00 p.m.

V.

Upon motion by Ms. Haden, seconded by Ms. Hatfield, the Board unanimously approved items on the Consent Agenda. (Copies appended to Official Minutes, Attachments A-M and addendum.)

Meeting minutes of February 10 and February 15, 2005 (Attachment A)

Budget supplement and transfer requests for the month of February 2005 as follows: total supplements = $141,168,865 and total transfers = $17,564,607 (Attachment B)

• Amendment to the Upshur County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan (CEFP) to include the closure of Central Elementary School with the students being transferred to Buckhannon/Upshur Intermediate School at the end of the 2004-2005 school year and a change in status to permanent for the following schools: Washington District Elementary, Hodgesville Elementary and Rock Cave Elementary

• One (1) request for a new waiver of instructional materials and three (3) requests for new waivers of State Board policy (Attachment C)

• Employment of Substitute Teachers in Areas of Critical Need policies for Mingo, Mercer and Kanawha Counties (Attachment E and addendum)

Appointment of Edna Ruth Smith to the West Virginia Commission for Professional Teaching Standards (Attachment F)

• Annual Report from the State Instructional Materials Depository, The James & Law Company (Attachment G)

Continued the Full Accreditation status of Calhoun Middle/High School and the Full Approval status of the Calhoun County School System (Attachment H)

Upgraded Lewis County High School to Conditional Accreditation status with a May 31, 2007 Date Certain to achieve Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and continued the Full Approval status of the Lewis County School System (Attachment I)

Continued the Full Accreditation status of Roanoke Elementary School and the Full Approval status of the Lewis County School System (Attachment J)

Continued the Conditional Accreditation status of Rowlesburg School with a May 31, 2007 Date Certain to achieve AYP and continued the Full Approval status of the Preston County School System (Attachment K)

Continued the Full Accreditation status of Fred W. Eberle Technical Center (Attachment L)

Continued the Full Approval Status of the Gilmer County School System, issued the schools the accreditation status listed in the report and gave the school system a Date Certain of October 3, 2005 to correct the identified noncompliances. (Attachment M).

VI.

Dr. Kenna R. Seal, Director, Office of Education Performance Audits (OEPA), reported that an announced on-site review was conducted at Cherry River Elementary School in Nicholas County on January 25, 2005. The OEPA 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 Dr. Johnson, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, the Board unanimously upgraded Cherry River Elementary School's accreditation status to Conditional Accreditation status, continued the Nicholas County School System's Full Approval status and gave the school and county until the next accreditation cycle to correct the high-quality standards necessary for improvement with a Date Certain of May 31, 2007 to achieve AYP. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment Mc.)

VII.

Dr. Seal reported that an announced on-site review was conducted at Richwood Junior High School in Nicholas County on January 25, 2005. The OEPA 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 Mr. Spencer, seconded by Mr. Morris, the Board unanimously continued Richwood Junior High School's Conditional Accreditation status, continued the Nicholas County School System's Full Approval status and gave the school and county until the next accreditation cycle to correct the high-quality standards necessary for improvement with a Date Certain of May 31, 2007 to achieve AYP. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment N.)

VIII.

Dr. Seal reported that an announced on-site review was conducted at Summersville Junior High School in Nicholas County on February 26, 2005. The OEPA 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 Mr. Morris, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, the Board unanimously continued Summersville High School's Conditional Accreditation status, continued the Nicholas County School System's Full Approval status and gave the school and county until the next accreditation cycle to correct the high-quality standards necessary for improvement with a Date Certain of May 31, 2007 to achieve AYP for sections 5.1.1. Achievement and 5.1.2. Participation rate. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment O.)

IX.

ABCs of Credit. Ms. Linda Hawkins and Mr. James Prater, School Financial Education Programs, West Virginia State Treasurer's Office, distributed information and provided a report regarding money management initiatives for teachers and students offered by the State Treasurer's Office. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment P.)

Board Member Reports. Dr. Johnson (distributed information), Ms. Haden (distributed information), Mr. Morris, Mr. Spencer, Ms Haden, Ms. Hatfield and President Fish provided reports. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment Q.)

Ms. Liza Cordeiro, Executive Director, Communications Office, Superintendent's Office, at the request of Ms. Haden, provided a report regarding initiatives of the Board's Communications Committee.

X.

President Fish recognized 4^th Annual West Virginia ProStart® Hospitality Cup award recipients. Appearing before the Board were ProStart® teams from St. Albans High School, Kanawha County, recipient of first place in the management competition, and Greenbrier East High School, Greenbrier County, recipient of first place in the culinary competition.

XI.

President Fish called for a break at 10:20 a.m.

XII.

President Fish called the meeting back to order at 10:33 a.m.

XIII.

Board Members Reports (Continued). President Fish continued her report and announced the formation of a task force, initially named "Protect Our Students," and appointed Ms. Hatfield, Mr. Spencer, President Fish, Ms. Lisa Burton, Coordinator, Division of Instructional and Student Services, and Mr. John Morrison, Investigator, Office of Legal Services, Superintendent's Office, to the task force with additional members to be named as deemed necessary. The purpose of the task force is to identify and find solutions to problems dealing with bullying and harassment found in West Virginia schools.

State Superintendent's Report. Dr. Stewart provided reports regarding personnel and the budget (distributed information and was assisted by Mr. Mike McKown, Executive Director, Office of Internal Operations, Division of Administrative Services) and provided updates regarding investigations occurring in Hampshire County Schools and RESA VIII (assisted by Dr. Jack McClanahan, Assistant State Superintendent, Division of Administrative Services), and Mingo County Schools issues and activities (assisted by Ms. Rebecca M. Tinder, General Counsel to the Board and the Department, Office of Legal Services, Superintendent's Office). (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment R and addendum.)

Legislative Update. Dr. Steven L. Paine, Deputy State Superintendent, provided an update regarding legislative activities and provided information regarding a number of prominent bills. Dr. Paine was assisted by Mr. Spencer, Ms. Melanie Purkey, Executive Director, Office of Student Services and Health Promotion, Division of Instructional and Student Services, and Dr. McClanahan.

West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Superintendent's Report. Mrs. Jane McBride, Superintendent of the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, distributed photos and provided an update of activities and initiatives. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment S.)

Grammar Initiative Update. Ms. Beverly Kingery and Ms. Terry Reale, Coordinators, Division of Instructional and Student Services, provided an update of activities and initiatives.

XIV.

President Fish presented Ms. Kingery with the Board's "Attitude Is Everything" award.

XV.

Virtual Schools/Technology Update. Ms. Brenda Williams, Executive Director, Office of Instructional Technology, Superintendent's Office, distributed information and provided an update of activities and initiatives. Dr. Paine provided information regarding legislative activities involving educational technology. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment T.)

XVI.

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

XVII.

President Fish called the meeting back to order at 1:05 p.m.

XVIII.

West Virginia Achieves School Recognition Program. Dr. McClanahan distributed and presented a document entitled "West Virginia Achieves School Recognition Program" for the Board's consideration. The document was developed to provide county school systems and individual schools with information to assist in understanding the West Virginia Achieves Academic Recognition Program established for their schools based upon the accountability structure in the West Virginia Accountability Plan per No Child Left Behind legislation.

Upon motion by Dr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Haden, the Board unanimously accepted the report. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment U and addendum.)

President Fish recognized Robert E. Baker, Jr., Secretary's Regional Representative, United States Department of Education, who distributed information and addressed the Board regarding the 2006 federal education budget. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment V.)

RESA Report. Ms. Carol Morgan, Executive Director, and Ms. Susan Barnes, Special Education Director, RESA I, distributed information and provided an update of activities and initiatives taking place in RESA I. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment W.)

XIX.

Dr. McClanahan distributed information and presented Policy 6200 for the Board's consideration. Policy 6200 is being revised to change the requirements for constructing school facilities with more emphasis on indoor air quality, determining that current regulatory requirements are met and that the American Society of Heating and Refrigeration Engineers design perimeters are maintained. Mr. Bill Elswick, Executive Director, Office of School Facilities, Division of Administrative Services, assisted Dr. McClanahan. Ms. Chapman joined the meeting via telephone.

Upon motion by Dr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Hatfield, the Board unanimously placed Policy 6200 on public comment for 30 days. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment X and addendum.)

XX.

Mr. Keith Butcher, Executive Director, Office of Instructional Services, Division of Instructional and Student Services, presented Policy 2510 for the Board's consideration. Policy 2510 was placed by the State Board on public comment until February 17, 2005.

Upon motion by Dr. Johnson, seconded by Mrs. Cook, the Board approved Policy 2510 with seven members voting yes, and two members, Ms. Chapman and Mr. Spencer, voting no. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment Y.)

XXI.

Ms. Purkey presented Policy 2422.5 for the Board's consideration. WVBE Policies 2422.5, Substance Abuse (1982), and 2422.5A, Tobacco Control (1998), outline preventive and protective measures for addressing substance abuse and prohibiting the use or distribution of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs within school settings and activities. Both policies are in need of revision for alignment with Policies 2422.8, Medication Administration, and 4373, Student Code of Conduct. Through the revision process, it was determined that the two policies should be combined because the content is similar and the communications and enforcement issues for each policy could be consistent. This proposed combination of policies would require that existing Policies 2422.5, Substance Abuse, and 2422.5A, Tobacco Control, be repealed and replaced with the revised Policy 2422.5, Substance Abuse and Tobacco Control.

Upon motion by Mr. Spencer, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, the Board unanimously placed Policy 2422.5 on public comment for 30 days. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment Z.)

XXII.

Dr. Stan Hopkins, Assistant State Superintendent, Division of Technical and Adult Education, presented Policy 3232 for discussion with anticipated action to be recommended at the next State Board meeting. A number of procedural and statutory changes dictate the need to repeal and replace the current policy. The proposed replacement policy will include these changes as well as update titles and terminology to reflect current practice. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment AA.)

XXIII.

Dr. McClanahan presented Concord University's Reading Specialist (PreK-Adult) program for the Board's consideration. WVBE Policy 5100: Approval of Educational Personnel Preparation Programs requires the Program Review Board to meet each semester to review new content specializations and make recommendations to the State Board for action.

Upon motion by Dr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Morris, the Board unanimously approved Concord University's Reading Specialist (PreK-Adult) program. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment BB.)

XXIV.

Dr. Paine addressed the Board and requested that the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind personnel items dealing with suspension be removed as both employees have requested hearings before the Board. Following Dr. Paine's request, President Fish announced a special meeting of the Board to conduct the hearings. The meeting will take place on March 18 at 1:00 p.m. in Charleston.

Upon motion by Dr. Johnson, seconded by Mrs. Cook, the Board, with eight members voting yes, and one member, Ms. Chapman, voting no, approved the WVBE personnel items as amended. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment CC.)

XXV.

Dr. Johnson distributed information and addressed the Board regarding Engrossed Senate Joint Resolution No. 101 - Proposing Amendment to the Constitution Designated Pension Bond Amendment.

Upon motion by Dr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Haden, the Board unanimously issued its support of the pension bond amendment. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment DD and addendum.)

XXVI.

Dr. Jan Barth, Executive Director, Office of Student Assessment, Division of School Improvement Services, presented adjusted cut scores, based on impact data from the first operational WESTEST, for the Board's consideration.

Upon motion by Mr. Spencer, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, the Board, with Ms. Chapman abstaining, approved the WESTEST adjusted cut scores. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment EE.)

XXVII.

A special meeting of the Board will be held on March 18, 2005 in Charleston, West Virginia to consider disciplinary action for employees of the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. The next regular meeting of the Board will be held April 13-14, 2005 in Wood County, West Virginia.

XXVIII.

Mrs. Cook moved for adjournment at 2:45 p.m. and the motion carried unanimously.

Minutes approved by the Board on April 14, 2005.

____________________________________________

Barbara N. Fish, President

____________________________________________

Priscilla M. Haden, Secretary

Minutes were recorded by

Virginia M. Harris

Executive Secretary

to the Board..

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