MINUTES

WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION

Board Conference Room

Capitol Building 6, Room 353

1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East

Charleston, West Virginia

November 15, 2007

 

 

I.  Call to Order

 

  President Cook called the meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) to order at 9:05 a.m. on November 15, 2007, in the Board Conference Room, Capitol Building 6, Room 353, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East, Charleston, West Virginia.

 

  The following members were present:  President Delores W. Cook, Vice President Priscilla M. Haden, Secretary Ronald B. Spencer, Robert W. Dunlevy, Barbara N. Fish, Burma Hatfield, Lowell E. Johnson, Gayle C. Manchin, and Jenny N. Phillips, and ex officios Steven L. Paine, State Superintendent of Schools, and Brian E. Noland, Chancellor, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.  Student representative in attendance was Cameron F. Wilson of Spencer who attends Roane County High School.  Member absent was ex officio James L. Skidmore, Chancellor, West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education.

 

II. Recognitions

 

  President Cook recognized Frankford Elementary in Greenbrier County, Scott Teays Elementary in Putnam County, and Pineville Middle School in Wyoming County, as 2007 No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools. 

 

  Superintendent Paine introduced Mr. Keith Fulton, President of Verizon, who presented a check in the amount of $48,000.00 in support of a new internet technology partnership (“Thinkfinity”) with the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE).  Mr. Mark Moore, Coordinator, WVDE’s Office of Instructional Technology, provided a brief overview of “Thinkfinity.”

 

III. Approval of Agenda

 

  Upon motion by Mr. Dunlevy, seconded by Ms. Phillips, the Board unanimously approved the agenda.

 

IV. Consent Agenda

 

  Mrs. Manchin requested that Consent Agenda item 14.  Waivers of Principal Leadership Academy Attendance be removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion.  Upon motion by Dr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Haden, the Board unanimously approved the Consent Agenda as amended.  (Copies appended to Official Minutes, Attachments A through Mc and O through X.)

· Meeting minutes of October 9, 2007  (Attachment A)

 

· Budget supplement and transfer requests for the month of October 2007 as follows: total supplements = $39,583,294 and total transfers = $10,299,406 (Attachment B)

 

· Amendment to the Barbour County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include the following:  1) Kasson Elementary/Middle School – removal and replacement of flooring and sub-surface materials and upgrade of the main entry to a controlled entry system; 2) Junior Elementary School – installation of a controlled access entry; and, 3) Philip Barbour High School Complex – provide for enclosed walkways between each of the buildings (Attachment C)

 

· Amendment to the Boone County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include the consolidation and reconfiguration of Ashford-Rumble Elementary School to grades 3-6 and Nellis Elementary School to grades PreK‑2 for the 2008-2009 school year (Nellis would become a feeder school to Ashford-Rumble) and at Brookview Elementary the construction of six general classrooms, one music classroom, and one physical education classroom space with storage and toilet facilities  (Attachment D)

 

· Amendment to the Braxton County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include the following:  1) reconfiguration of all schools to PreK-6, 7-8 and 9‑12; 2) implement an alternative school at Braxton County Middle School; 3) removal of all portables; 4) addition of rooms to all schools which need extra classroom space due to additional students and/or current overcrowding and to facilitate adequate and appropriate space for pre-school programs in every elementary; and, 5) renovation of all schools so that all building, fire, safety and sanitary codes are met fully  (Attachment E)

 

· Amendment to the Cabell County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include the installation of an elevator, first floor restrooms and a sprinkler system at Beverly Hills Middle School  (Attachment F)

 

· Amendment to the Gilmer County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include erosion and sediment control, hazardous waste removal, new structure (concrete slab), new HVAC system, electrical renovations and all other requirements necessary at Normantown School to satisfy state regulatory agencies  (Attachment G)

 

· Amendment to the Hampshire County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include the following at Augusta Elementary:  1) raze a portion of the school due to asbestos, lack of space and room to expand; 2) construction of a two story facility to take the place of the one story razed portion (new facility would include an entrance to make the school safer for students, provide adequate classrooms (14 ~ to include regular education classrooms, special education classrooms, pre-K classrooms, kindergarten classroom,  common support area, physical education classroom, art and music room, four additional student toilets, office area, kitchen addition, stairs, elevator and gym storage area); and 3) installation of HVAC system in the new facility  (Attachment H)

 

· Amendment to the Lincoln County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include the following reordered priorities for school construction:  priority #1 – construction of new Harts School PK‑8 School; priority #2 – construction of new Guyan Valley Middle 6-8; priority #3 – construction of new Duval PK-8 School; and priority #4 – construction of new Hamlin PK-8 School  (Attachment I)

 

· Amendment to the Raleigh County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include the construction of four additional classrooms at Shady Spring Middle School  (Attachment J)

 

· Amendment to the Ritchie County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include upgrades and additions to the HVAC system, entrance doors and flooring for Ritchie County Middle/High School  (Attachment K)

 

· Amendment to the Roane County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include the addition of two general classrooms, a music room, a science lab, and a gymnasium at Geary Elementary/Middle School  (Attachment L)

 

· Amendment to the Wetzel County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include the following repairs at Magnolia High School:  1)  removal and replacement of the south wall parapet and brick veneer; 2) removal and replacement of existing roof system; and, 3) bring the remaining parapet up to IBC Code  (Attachment M)

 

· Two requests for continuation of a waiver of WVBE policy and one request for continuation of a waiver of instructional materials  (Attachment Mc)

 

· Notifications, per Senate Bill 227, W. Va. Code §18A-4-7a, Transfer of Teachers After Five Days Prior to Starting Instruction, from Raleigh, Wetzel and Wood County Schools  (Attachment O)

 

· Employment of Substitute Teachers in Areas of Critical Need policy for Logan County Schools  (Attachment P)

 

· Proposed Official State Multiple List of Instructional Materials for English Language Arts K-12, Music and Visual Art  (Attachment Q)

· Policy 2520.2, 21st Century Mathematics Content Standards and Objectives for West Virginia Schools  (Attachment R)

 

· Policy 2436.10, Participation in Extracurricular Activities for placement on public comment for 30 days  (Attachment S)

 

· Policy 8200, Purchasing Policies and Procedures Manual for placement on public comment for 30 days  (Attachment T)

 

· Policy 4321.1, Standards for School Nutrition for placement on public comment for 30 days  (Attachment U)

 

· Appointment of Deborah Smith, Special Education Teacher at Buckhannon-Upshur High School, to the West Virginia Commission for Professional Teaching Standards  (Attachment V)

 

Philippi Middle School the accreditation status listed in the individual school report and continued the Full Approval status of the Barbour County School System (Attachment W)

 

· Nicholas County High School the accreditation status listed in the individual school report and continued the Full Approval status of the Nicholas County School System (Attachment X).

 

V.  Waivers of Principal Leadership Academy Attendance

 

  Dr. Jack McClanahan, Deputy State Superintendent, addressed questions regarding the waiver requests.  Following discussion, it was decided that additional information was required regarding the waiver requests and action on this item was postponed. 

 

VI.  Reports

 

  Board Member/Committee Reports.  Mrs. Cook, Dr. Johnson, Mrs. Fish, Ms. Haden (requested that the National Association of State Boards of Education’s conference agenda be entered into the record), Mrs. Manchin, and Mr. Spencer provided reports regarding events and activities they have attended/participated in since the October Board meeting.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes at Attachment FF.)

 

VII.  Break

 

  President Cook called for a break at 10:18 a.m.

 

 

 

VIII.  Call to Order

 

  President Cook called the meeting back to order at 10:35 a.m. 

 

IX.  Waivers of Principal Leadership Academy Attendance (Continued)

 

  Dr. McClanahan presented additional information regarding the waiver requests.  Dr. Patricia S. Kusimo, Chief Executive Officer, West Virginia Center for Professional Development, addressed questions regarding Principal Leadership Academy for New Principals attendance requirements.

 

  Upon motion by Dr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Haden, the Board unanimously approved the waiver requests for attendance at the 2007-2008 Principal Leadership Academy for New Principals for two principals, two assistant principals, and one director of a career and technical center.   (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment N.)

 

X. Reports (Continued)

 

  State Superintendent’s Report.  Superintendent Paine presented Department personnel actions for the Board’s information, provided updates in Lincoln, McDowell and Mingo Counties, provided brief overviews of numerous meetings and events attended, and updates regarding department initiatives.  Dr. Johnson congratulated Superintendent Paine on his election to the Council of Chief State School Officers Board of Directors for 2007-2008.  (Copies appended to Official Minutes, Attachment Y.)

 

XI.  Parent Involvement Proclamation

 

  Dr. Pamela S. Cain, Assistant State Superintendent, Division of Student Support Services, presented a parent involvement proclamation for the Board’s consideration. 

 

Upon motion by Mrs. Manchin, seconded by Mrs. Fish, the Board unanimously proclaimed November 2007 as Parent Involvement in West Virginia Schools Month.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment Z.)

 

VII.  Parent/Community Pillar

 

  Dr. Cain provided a progress report on the Parent Community Pillar and a time line for implementation of the plan.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment AA.) 

 

  Chancellor Noland joined the meeting.

 

XIII.  Family and Community Partnerships, Greenbrier County Schools

 

  Ms. Frankie Appel and Ms. Christy Clemons-Rodgers, Greenbrier County Schools, shared partnership practices initiated at the district and school level to support school, family and community partnerships in Greenbrier County.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment BB.)

 

XIV.  WVBE Goals and Performance Evidence (2006-2007)

 

  Dr. McClanahan provided an update regarding progress made toward achieving the WVBE’s goals.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment CC.)

 

XV.  Process for the Identification of WVBE Professional Development Goals

 

  Dr. McClanahan provided a brief overview of the process used to identify WVBE professional development goals.  President Cook indicated that a Board committee would be convened to take up this matter. 

 

XVI. WVBE Personnel Matters

 

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

 

  President Cook recognized Mr. Wilson for his service to the Board as the student representative to the Board for September, October and November.

 

XVII.  Board Items for Future Consideration

 

  President Cook requested that items mentioned during the meeting be placed on the agenda and items members wish to be considered for placement on a future agenda to be provided to her, Superintendent Paine or Dr. McClanahan as soon as possible.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment EE.)

 

  President Cook requested that members wishing to serve on the Professional Development Committee to notify her or Dr. McClanahan; announced a meeting of the Board’s Legislative Committee for December 6 at 10 a.m. in the Board Conference Room and invited all members to attend and, with the consensus of the Board, moved the start time of the December 12 meeting to 1:30 p.m.  Dr. Johnson requested that the budget and improvement packages for 2009 be presented to the Board at the December meeting.  Mrs. Manchin requested an item be placed on the December agenda regarding weighted courses. 

 

XVIII. Future Meetings

 

  The Board’s Legislative Committee will meet December 6, 2007 in Charleston, West Virginia.  The Board’s Communications Committee will meet on December 10, 2007 in Charleston, West Virginia.  The Board’s Wellness Committee will meet December 12, 2007 in Charleston, West Virginia. The next regular meeting of the Board will be held December 12-13, 2007 in Charleston, West Virginia. 

 

 

XIX.  Adjournment

 

  Upon motion by Mrs. Manchin, seconded by Dr. Johnson and unanimously carried, the Board adjourned at 12:45 p.m.

 

    Minutes approved by the Board on December 13, 2007.

 

 

 

    _______________________________________________

  Delores W. Cook, President

 

 

 

_______________________________________________

   Ronald B. Spencer, Secretary

 

Minutes were recorded by

Virginia M. Harris

Executive Secretary to the Board.

   Wvbeminutes11/15/07