Board Minutes 2008-06-04

MINUTES

WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION

West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind

Secondary School for the Deaf Multipurpose Room

301 East Main Street

Romney, West Virginia

June 4, 2008

I. Call to Order

President Delores W. Cook called the meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) to order at 12:40 p.m. on June 4, 2008, in the Secondary School for the Deaf Multipurpose Room at West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, 301 East Main Street, Romney, West Virginia.

The following members were present: President Cook, Vice President Priscilla M. Haden, Barbara N. Fish, Burma Hatfield, Gayle C. Manchin, Lowell E. Johnson, 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. Members absent were Secretary Ronald B. Spencer, Robert W. Dunlevy, and ex officio James L. Skidmore, Chancellor, West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education.

II. Welcome ~ Musical Presentation

Dr. Patsy Shank, Superintendent of the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, welcomed the Board, introduced staff and other guests and provided a PowerPoint presentation showing the schools at work. The Mountaineer Melodies and Tapestry entertained the Board with musical selections.

III. Delegations

Ms. Joy Baker and Ms. Bretta “Lynnie” Spencer, residents of Keyser, addressed the Board regarding home schooling in Mineral County.

IV. Approval of Agenda

Upon motion by Mrs. Manchin, seconded by Ms. Phillips, the Board unanimously approved the agenda.

V. Draft Education Performance Audit Reports for the Preston County

Central Office and Kingwood Elementary School, Preston County

Dr. Kenna R. Seal, Director, Office of Education Performance Audits (OEPA), reported that an announced on-site review was conducted at Preston County Central Office on April 16‑18, 2008. Following an overview of the report discussion ensued regarding disregard of the requirements of W. Va. Code, the lack of repercussions afforded by law, and a perceived need to address issues concerning the code. Mr. John Lofink, Superintendent of Preston County Schools, addressed the Board regarding the OEPA report findings.

VI. Break

President Cook called for a break at 2:32 p.m.

VII. Call to Order

President Cook called the meeting back to order at 2:40 p.m.

VIII. Draft Education Performance Audit Reports for the Preston County

Central Office and Kingwood Elementary School, Preston County (Continued)

Dr. Seal reported that an announced on-site review was conducted at Kingwood Elementary School on April 8, 2008.

Following discussion, Ms. Haden moved to defer accreditation until October and further moved that a plan of action, prepared by the West Virginia Department of Education and the Superintendent of Preston County, be presented to the WVBE at its October meeting. Mrs. Manchin seconded the motion.

Ms. Haden amended her motion to include that action regarding accreditation status for the Preston County Central Office and Kingwood Elementary School be deferred until October and that a plan of action, prepared by the West Virginia Department of Education and the Superintendent of Preston County, be presented to the WVBE at its October meeting. Mrs. Manchin agreed to the amendment. Upon the call for the question the motion was carried with six members voting yes and one member voting no. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment A.)

IX. Draft Education Performance Audit Reports for

Franklin Elementary Center, Martin Elementary School,

and Blennerhassett Junior High School, Wood County

Dr. Seal reported that announced on-site reviews were conducted at Franklin Elementary Center, Martin Elementary School, and Blennerhassett Junior High School on April 22–24, 2008.

Upon the recommendation of Dr. Seal and a motion by Mrs. Fish, seconded by Ms. Phillips, the Board unanimously and issued Franklin Elementary Center and Martin Elementary School Full Accreditation status and gave the schools until the next accreditation cycle to correct the deficiency noted in the report and issued Blennerhassett Junior High School Conditional Accreditation status with a May 31, 2011 Date Certain to achieve Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment B.)

X. 2008 Annual Report of the West Virginia Advisory Council

for the Education of Exceptional Children (WVACEEC)

Dr. Lynn Boyer, Executive Director, WVBE Office of Special Programs, Extended and Early Learning, introduced Dr. Michael Sullivan (distributed information), Executive Director and Mr. Ronald Cantley II, Chairperson, WVACEEC, who presented the 2008 Annual Report of the WVACEEC for the Board’s consideration. The WVACEEC is mandated by West Virginia Code §18-20-6 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004) to advise the Board on unmet needs of exceptional children. The WVACEEC conducts eight public hearings each year, one in each RESA, to take comments and hear presentations on the status of education for exceptional students. The findings and recommendations are presented to the Board annually at its June meeting. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment C and addendum.)

XI. Approval of Educator Preparation Programs at

Salem International University

Mr. Nathan Estel, Executive Director, WVDE’s Office of Professional Preparation, presented educator preparation programs at Salem International University for the Board’s consideration. In the spring of 2008, an on-site review of the educator preparation programs at Salem International University was conducted. The Educator Preparation Program Review Board (EPPRB) has reviewed the report from the on-site review team and the response from the institution. Upon review, the EPPRB found that standards identified in Policy 5100 were not entirely met, although significant improvements toward meeting these standards have been made since the program was last reviewed in 2006. The EPPRB recommended that programs offered at Salem International University be granted conditional approval status for a period not to exceed eighteen months. Further, to determine if Salem International University continues working toward meeting all six standards, the EPPRB further recommended that a follow-up visit be conducted by WVDE staff within twelve months, with a progress report to the Board, and a full on-site review be conducted within eighteen months.

Upon motion by Dr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Haden, and unanimously carried, the Board accepted the recommendations of the EPPRB. Dr. Johnson requested that the progress report be provided within ten to twelve months.

XII. Approval of Seven Teacher Preparation Programs

at Four Institutions of High Education

Mr. Estel presented seven teacher preparation programs at four institutions of higher education for the Board’s consideration. The Educator Preparation Program Review Board (EPPRB) recently reviewed teacher preparation programs from four institutions of higher education and recommended approval of all programs. West Liberty State College submitted a Master's in Education program leading to certification in Multi-Categorical Special Education, West Virginia Wesleyan College submitted a program leading to a Master's Degree and subsequent certification as a Reading Specialist, Fairmont State University submitted an initial certification program for Theatre PK-AD, and American Public University System submitted three Master's of Education programs leading to certification in Elementary Education K-6, Social Studies 5-AD and School Counseling PK-AD. American Public University System also submitted a post-baccalaureate 5-AD certification program.

Upon motion by Ms. Hatfield, seconded by Mrs. Manchin, and unanimously carried, the Board accepted the recommendations of the EPPRB. (Copy appended to the Official Minutes, Attachment D.)

XIII. Policy 5202 - Minimum Requirements for the

Licensure of Professional/Paraprofessional Personnel

and Advanced Salary Classifications

Mr. Estel (distributed an additional proposed amendment) presented Policy 5202 for the Board’s consideration. Policy 5202 is recommended for revision due to the amendment of W. Va. Code §18A-4-2b and to provide additional options for special educators to gain an endorsement to teach Autistic students.

Upon motion by Dr. Johnson, seconded by Mrs. Fish, and unanimously carried, the Board placed the affected sections (sections 11, 19 and 23) of Policy 5202 on public comment for thirty days. (Copy appended to the Official Minutes, Attachment E and amendment.)

XIV. Policy 4336, West Virginia School Bus Transportation

Policy and Procedures Manual

Mr. Ben Shew (distributed information), Executive Director, WVDE Office of School Transportation, presented Policy 4336 for the Board’s consideration. Policy 4336 is being revised to include the prohibition of cellular phones and other electronic device usage, to add requirements for counties when leasing charter bus transportation, to define the usage of county transportation systems for public and private non-profit organization transportation to educational and cultural events, provide guidelines and requirements for school bus routing, update certification requirements, addition of training requirements, and update requirements regarding the loading and unloading of student passengers. Mr. Nelson B. Robinson Jr., Executive Director, West Virginia Chiropractic Society, and Dr. Jeff Summers, Chair of the Board of Chiropractic Examiners, answered questions regarding the qualifications of chiropractors and the performance of physical examinations. Ms. Rebecca King, Coordinator, WVDE Office of Healthy Schools, addressed questions regarding the performance of physical examinations by chiropractors.

Dr. Johnson moved that Policy 4336, excluding the policies found in the appendices, be placed on public comment for thirty days. Ms. Phillips seconded the motion. Following discussion and upon the call for the question the motion was carried unanimously. (Copy appended to the Official Minutes, Attachment F and addendum.)

XV. Policy 4150, Student Driver Eligibility Certificate

Ms. Melanie Purkey, Executive Director, WVDE Office of Healthy Schools, presented Policy 4150 for the Board’s consideration. Policy 4150 was developed as required by HB4023 (passed during the 2008 regular legislative session). The key item for definition is that of satisfactory academic progress.

Upon motion by Mrs. Fish, seconded by Mrs. Manchin, and unanimously carried, the Board placed Policy 4150 on public comment for thirty days. (Copy appended to the Official Minutes, Attachment G.)

XVI. Policy 2510, Assuring the Quality of Education:

Regulations for Education Programs

Dr. Karen Huffman (distributed an additional proposed amendment in response to comments received), Special Assistant, Division of Special Projects/Superintendent's Center for 21st Century Schools, presented Policy 2510 for the Board’s consideration. The WVBE approved proposed revisions for Policy 2510 to be placed on public comment at its March 2008 meeting. The revisions were designed to provide school districts and schools with greater local flexibility in the implementation of requirements for 21st century curriculum and instruction. A statewide committee of stakeholders has been involved in the discussion of these revisions. During the public comment period, 90 comments were received. A number of adjustments to Policy 2510 were made in response to the comments.

Upon motion by Dr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Phillips, the Board unanimously approved Policy 2510 with all amendments. (Copy appended to the Official Minutes, Attachment H-1 and Attachment H-2 and amendment).

XVII. WVBE Employee Evaluations

President Cook requested a motion to move into Executive Session as provided in W. Va. Code §6-9A-4(b)(2)(A), to discuss personnel matters involving the evaluation of the State Superintendent of Schools, Director of the Office of Education Performance Audits, Superintendent of the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, Executive Directors of the Regional Education Service Agencies, and the Executive Secretary to the Board. Upon motion by Ms. Haden, seconded by Ms. Phillips and unanimously carried, the Board entered into executive session at 5:00 p.m.

XVIII. Return from Executive Session

The Board returned from Executive Session at 5:35 p.m. at which time President Cook announced that no action was taken and no decisions were made and recessed the meeting for dinner. President Cook announced that the June 5 meeting would begin at 9:00 a.m. due to additional travel time necessitated by water contamination in the City of Romney causing lodging arrangements to be moved to Winchester, Virginia.

XIX. WVBE Employee Evaluations (Continued)

Upon motion by Mrs. Manchin, seconded by Dr. Johnson and unanimously carried, the Board entered into executive session at 7:02 p.m.

XX. Return from Executive Session

The Board returned from Executive Session at 8:30 p.m. at which time President Cook announced that no action was taken.

XXI. Future Meetings

The next regular meeting of the Board will be held June 5, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind in Romney, West Virginia.

XXII. Adjournment

Upon motion by Dr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Hatfield and unanimously carried, the Board adjourned at 8:33 p.m.

Minutes approved by the Board on July 10, 2008.

___________________

Delores W. Cook, President

___________________________

Ronald B. Spencer, Secretary

Minutes were recorded by

Virginia M. Harris

Executive Secretary to the Board.

Wvbeminutes6/4/08