MINUTES

WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION

Board Conference Room

Capitol Building 6, Room 353

1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East

Charleston, West Virginia

January 11, 2007

 

I. Call to Order

 

  President Lowell E. Johnson called the meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) to order at 9:00 a.m. on January 11, 2007, in the Board Conference Room, Capitol Building 6, Room 353, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East, Charleston, West Virginia.

 

  The following members were present:  President Johnson, Vice President Delores W. Cook, Secretary Priscilla M. Haden, Barbara N. Fish, Robert W. Dunlevy, Burma Hatfield, Jenny N. Phillips and Ronald B. Spencer, and ex officios Steven L. Paine, State Superintendent of Schools, Brian E. Noland, Chancellor, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, and James L. Skidmore, Chancellor, West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education.

 

II. Recognitions

 

  The Board recognized Ms. Gerry Kohler, social studies teacher, VanDevender Junior High School, Wood County, recipient of the 2006 Preserve America History Teacher of the Year Award.

 

III. Delegations

 

  Ms. Pam Tuckwiller (distributed information), parent, Greenbrier County Schools, addressed the Board regarding the proposed closure of Williamsburg Elementary.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment AA.)

IV.  Approval of Agenda

 

  Upon motion by Mrs. Cook, seconded by Ms. Phillips, the Board approved the agenda with the following modifications: President Johnson moved from Reports, Item D.  Status of Recommendations of the Strategic Plan to Improve Results for Students in High Need Populations to follow approval of the Consent Agenda and Ms. Haden requested Consent Agenda items 2 through 22 (all dealing with the amendment of Comprehensive Education Facilities Plans) be removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion and clarification.

 

V. Consent Agenda

 

  Upon motion by Mr. Dunlevy, seconded by Ms. Phillips, the Board approved the Consent Agenda as previously amended.  (Copies appended to Official Minutes, Attachments A, B and D through S.)

 

·  Meeting minutes of November 29, December 13 and 14, 2006  (Attachment A)

 

·  Budget supplement and transfer requests for the month of December 2006 as follows:  total supplements = $3,572,928 and total transfers = $12,414,987 (Attachment B)

 

·  Waiver requests for one principal and one assistant principal for the 2006‑2007 Principal Leadership Academy for New Principals  (Attachment D)

 

·  Three requests for continuation of previously approved WVBE policy waivers and two waiver new requests for waivers of WVBE policy  (Attachment E)

 

·  Notification, per Senate Bill 227, W. Va. Code §18A-4-7a, Transfer of Teachers After Five Days Prior to Starting Instruction, from Kanawha County Schools  (Attachment F)

 

·  Policy 2445.41, “Textbooks” Adoption:  Notice, Request, and Instructions to Publishers  (Attachment G)

 

·  Withdrew Policy 2520.4, 21st Century Social Studies Content Standards and Objectives for West Virginia Schools as adopted on December 15, 2006 and placed the newly amended policy on public comment for 30 days  (Attachment H)

 

·  Policy 2520.16,  Alternate Academic Achievement Standards for West Virginia Schools on public comment, affected sections only, for 30 days  (Attachment I)

 

·  Policy 2520.5, 21st Century Health 5-12 Content Standards and Objectives for West Virginia Schools on public comment for 30 days  (Attachment J)

 

·  Policy 2520.6, 21st Century Physical Education 5-12 Content Standards and Objectives for West Virginia Schools on public comment for 30 days  (Attachment K)

 

·  Policy 2520.7, 21st Century Foreign Language Content Standards and Objectives for West Virginia Schools on public comment for 30 days  (Attachment L)

 

·  Policy 2520.8, 21st Century Driver Education Content Standards and Objectives for West Virginia Schools on public comment for 30 days  (Attachment M)

 

·  Policy 2520.9, 21st Century Dance Content Standards and Objectives for West Virginia Schools on public comment for 30 days  (Attachment Mc)

 

·  Policy 2520.10, 21st Century Music Content Standards and Objectives for West Virginia Schools on public comment for 30 days  (Attachment N)

·  Policy 2520.11, 21st Century Theatre Content Standards and Objectives for West Virginia Schools on public comment for 30 days  (Attachment O)

 

·  Policy 2520.12, 21st Century Visual Art Content Standards and Objectives for West Virginia Schools on public comment for 30 days  (Attachment P)

 

·  Policy 2520.18, 21st Century American Sign Language Content Standards and Objectives for West Virginia Schools on public comment for 30 days  (Attachment Q)

 

·  Policy 2520.55, 21st Century Wellness PreK-4 Content Standards and Objectives for West Virginia Schools on public comment for 30 days  (Attachment R)

 

·  Warm Springs Middle School the Accreditation status listed in the individual school report and continued the Full Approval status of the Morgan County School System  (Attachment S)

 

·  Roane County High School Full Accreditation status.

 

VI. Report - Status of Recommendations of the Strategic Plan to

  Improve Results for Students in High Need Populations

 

  Dr. Lynn Boyer, Executive Director, Office of Special Programs, Extended and Early Learning, Division of Curriculum and Instructional Services, presented the recommendations for the Board’s information.  The Task Force created in excess of 90 recommendations. Sixteen priority recommendations emerged, and collaboration began in September to accomplish the work associated with them. Status of all recommendations will be highlighted for the State Board with particular emphasis on those that result in the formation of a Commission for Improved Results, increased leadership from special education and Title I teachers to increase mastery for students served by those teachers, the development of a K-12 tiered instruction model that will provide the structure for an across-grade literacy plan as well as accommodate the response to intervention special education identification model included in the proposed Policy 2419, the extended learning opportunities available for students, and the developing dialogue that could allow for identifying students for special services without naming a disability.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment V.)

 

VII. Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan Amendments

 

  Dr. Jack McClanahan, Deputy State Superintendent of Schools, and Mr. Bill Elswick (distributed information), Executive Director, Office of Facilities, Division of Student Support Services, provided clarification regarding a number of CEFP amendments. 

 

  Upon motion by Ms. Hatfield, seconded by Mr. Dunlevy, the Board unanimously approved CEFP amendments for Berkeley County; Brooke County; Cabell County; Fayette County including classroom addition and renovations at Fayetteville High School and roof replacement at Valley High School, Grant County including a roof replacement at Maysville Elementary for $210,000.00 and repair to the HVAC system at Petersburg Elementary for $75,000.00; Greenbrier County including the closure of Williamsburg Elementary School effective June 30, 2007 and the students to be reassigned to Frankford Elementary School and/or Lewisburg Elementary School; Jefferson County addition of two elementary schools and one middle school and an adjustment concerning updating HVAC controls at T. A. Lowery Elementary School; Kanawha County; Lewis County; Lincoln County; Logan County; Marion County; Marshall County for renovations and additions at Moundsville Elementary and the building of one new elementary school in the Sherrard area (at the completion of this project Park View, Sanford, Limestone and Sherrard Elementary Schools will close); Mercer County; Mingo County; Morgan County; Ohio County for the development of a Performing Arts Center at Wheeling Park High School, the expansion of the PreK program at eighteen universal sites throughout the county accommodating approximately 389 students, and the redesign of the HVAC project at Bridge Street Middle School with an anticipated completion date of August, 2007; Wayne County; and Wetzel County, CEFP for Mid Ohio Valley Technical Institute; and school facility reviews for Barbour County High School and Philippi Elementary in Barbour County, Doddridge County Elementary and Middle School in Doddridge County, Gilmer County High School in Gilmer County, Wheeling Park High School in Ohio County, and Franklin Elementary and Jefferson Elementary in Wood County.  (Copies appended to Official Minutes, Attachments C and BB.)

 

VIII.  Recess

 

  President Johnson recessed the meeting at 9:45 a.m. for a press event recognizing Ms. Sarah Morris, teacher, Berkeley Springs High School, Morgan County, as West Virginia’s 2007 Teacher of the Year.

 

IX.  Call to Order

 

  President Johnson called the meeting back to order at 10:45 a.m.

 

X. Reports

 

  Board Member/Committee Reports.  Mrs. Cook reported that the West Virginia School Boards Association training handbook has been completed and a copy provided to all members.  Ms. Phillips provided a brief report regarding student representation at Board meetings.  The report was accepted by consensus.  Mrs. Fish requested information regarding the Student Education and Economic Development Success (SEEDS) program.

 

  President Johnson provided information regarding his attendance at meetings of the Governor’s Jobs Council, business conference, and West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) staff development sessions.  Following the update of activities, President Johnson requested that Superintendent Paine form a committee, to be co‑chaired by Superintendent Paine and Chancellor Noland, to bring recommendations to the Board, regarding the incorporation of 21st century skills into all teacher preparation programs.  President Johnson further requested that Dr. Paul B. Chewning, President, West Virginia Independent Colleges and Universities, be invited to serve as a member of the committee.  The Board, by consensus, approved President Johnson’s requests.

 

  State Superintendent’s Report.  Superintendent Paine presented Department personnel actions for the Board’s information and provided information (assisted by Dr. Jorea Marple, Assistant State Superintendent, Division of Curriculum and Instruction) regarding the current Request for Proposal for an assessment program, WVDE professional development (assisted by Dr. Karen Huffman, Executive Director, Office of Professional Preparation, Division of Student Support Services), distribution of the Board’s goals as provided in W. Va. Code §18-2-23a, legislation regarding teacher retention and recruitment, proposed addition of three-year-olds to preK education program, alternative education programs (including school climate), proposed salary for National Board Certified teachers, and updates (assisted by Dr. Howard O’Cull, Executive Director, West Virginia School Boards Association) regarding Lincoln, McDowell, Mingo and  Hampshire Counties.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment T.)

 

  WVVS (West Virginia Virtual School) Advisory Committee Report.  Dr. Marple and Ms. Pamela Hoppe, Coordinator, Office of Technology Instruction, Division of Curriculum and Instructional Services, presented the report for the Board’s information.  The WVVS Advisory Committee was formed in June 2006 to provide advice to the WVVS and to make recommendations on the issues and questions presented to the Advisory Committee by the WVVS.  This report documented the activities and recommendations of the committee.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment U.)

 

XI. A Comparison Study of K-12 Educator Perceptions of

  Working Conditions and School Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Status,

  Three Survey Options

 

  Dr. Jane Hange, Coordinator, Office of Assessment and Accountability, Division of Curriculum and Instructional Services, presented the study for the Board’s consideration.  The Research and Evaluation unit of the WVDE Office of Assessment and Accountability, was asked by the Deputy Superintendent and the Executive Assistant to the State Superintendent to explore options for conducting a survey of educator perceptions of working conditions in West Virginia’s public K-12 schools and comparing summarized findings to the attainment of Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) by school and districts.  Following discussion of the need for current information and the feasibility of the original five approaches was presented to the WVBE in October 2006, the options were then narrowed to the three found in the attachment. 

 

  Upon recommendation of Superintendent Paine and a motion by Mrs. Fish, seconded by Mrs. Cook, the Board unanimously accepted option one, The Center for Teaching Quality (CTQ) Working Conditions Survey, and approved the pursuance of funding for administration of the same.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment W.)

 

XII.   West Virginia Board of Education

  Exit Strategy for Returning Control to the County Board of Education

 

  Dr. McClanahan presented the exit strategy for the Board’s consideration.  This document sets forth the exit strategy that will be used by the WVBE in returning control to the county board of education, sets forth the memorandum of understanding to be signed by the president of the county board of education and the President of the WVBE, and outlines the commitment and responsibility of the county board of education and the WVBE in working toward the resumption of local control.

  Upon motion by Mr. Dunlevy, seconded by Ms. Phillips, the Board unanimously adopted, on a trial basis, the Exit Strategy for Returning Control to the County Board of Education.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment X.)

 

XIII. West Virginia Board of Education Personnel

 

  Upon motion by Ms. Haden, seconded by Ms. Phillips, the Board unanimously approved the Board’s personnel items.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment Y.)

 

XIV. Board Items for Future Consideration

 

  President Johnson requested items to be considered for placement on the February agenda be provided to him, Dr. McClanahan or the Board’s executive secretary, as soon as possible.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment Z.)

 

XV.  Future Meetings

 

  The next regular meeting of the Board will be held February 14-15, 2007 in Charleston, West Virginia.

 

XVI. Adjournment

 

  Upon motion by Ms. Phillips, seconded by Mr. Dunlevy and unanimously carried, the meeting adjourned at 12:17 p.m.

 

  Minutes approved by the Board on February 15, 2007.

 

 

 

  Lowell E. Johnson, President

 

 

 

    Priscilla M. Haden, Secretary

 

  Minutes were recorded by

   Virginia M. Harris

Executive Secretary to the Board.

   wvbeminutes1/11/07