MINUTES 

WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION 

Board Conference Room 

Capitol Building 6, Room 353 

1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East 

Charleston, West Virginia 

November 12, 2008

I.        Call to Order

         President Delores W. Cook called the meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) to order at 9:00 a.m. on November 12, 2008, in the Board Conference Room, Capitol Building 6, Room 353, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East, Charleston, West Virginia.

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

II.        Recognition ~ America’s Top Science Teacher

        President Cook recognized Mr. Ed Evans, science teacher at Mount View High School in McDowell County, as America’s Top Science Teacher.  This national award is sponsored by 3M and Discovery Education.

III.        Delegations

        Mr. David Roth, Principal of Elkins High School, addressed the Board regarding the audit of Randolph County Schools by the Office of Education Performance Audits.

IV.        Approval of Agenda

        Ms. Hatfield moved, and Dr. Johnson seconded, that the agenda be approved.  Ms. Haden questioned the publishing of agenda and, following discussion, Dr. Johnson moved that agenda item VII. B. Progress Report for the Randolph County School District be removed from the agenda.  Mrs. Fish seconded the motion and it was carried unanimously.

        Following further discussion regarding the publishing of the agenda, including a request that an item be placed on the December agenda for discussion and action regarding future agendas, Dr. Johnson moved, and Ms. Haden seconded, that the current administrative procedure of withholding the release of progress reports to the public by the Office of Education Performance Audits be discontinued in the current instance and that the Randolph County report be released.  

        Upon motion by Mrs. Fish, seconded by Ms. Phillips, the Board unanimously approved the agenda as amended.

 V.        Verizon Cyber Safety – School and Business Partnership

        Ms. Kathy Boone, Assistant Director, WVDE Office of Instructional Technology, introduced Mr. B. Keith Fulton, President of Verizon-West Virginia, who addressed the Board regarding a one day professional development session for key education stakeholders on the issue of cyber safety and various resources available to schools and families to assist in protecting children who use the internet.  Mr. Fulton also announced a $73,000.00 Thinkfinity grant recently awarded to the WVDE from Verizon.

 VI.        Proclamation – International Education Week in West Virginia Schools

        Dr. Amelia Courts (distributed information), Executive Director, WVDE Office of ESL – International Schools, presentation a proclamation for the Board’s consideration.  President Cook read the proclamation into the record.  

        Following a reading of the proclamation by President Cook, Ms. Haden moved and Dr. Johnson seconded approval of the proclamation.  Upon the call for the question the motion was unanimously carried and the Board proclaimed November 17-21, 2008 as International Education Week in West Virginia schools.  Following the signing of the proclamation, Dr. Johnson requested that the press release regarding the proclamation also include information regarding American Education Week (AEW) and that a tool kit may can be found of the National Education Association’s website to assist school systems in planning events for each day.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment A and addendum.)

VII.        Approval of Exemplary Accreditation Status Schools

        Dr. Kenna R. Seal, Director, Office of Education Performance Audits, presented performance data for schools and recommended that the schools found in the attachment be awarded Exemplary Accreditation status.  

        Upon recommendation of Dr. Seal and a motion by Mr. Dunlevy, seconded by Ms. Hatfield, the Board unanimously approved Exemplary Accreditation status for the schools listed in the attachment.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment B.)

VIII.        Consent Agenda

        Upon motion by Mr. Dunlevy, seconded by Ms. Phillips, the Board unanimously approved the Consent Agenda.  (Copies appended to Official Minutes, Attachments C through W.)

• Meeting minutes of October 8 and 9, 2008  (Attachment C)

• Budget supplement and transfer requests for the month of October 2008 as follows:  total supplements = $323,769,916 and total transfers = $57, 020,193 (Attachment D)

• Amendment to the Barbour County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include the addition of a controlled access entry, addition of a classroom and the remodeling of an existing classroom at Junior Elementary School to meet the needs of the kindergarten program; and, the addition of enclosed walkways between annex buildings at Philip Barbour High School and the temporary relocation of Kasson Elementary School students to Philip Barbour High School so that structural work can be completed at Kasson Elementary   (Attachment E)

• Amendment to the Doddridge County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include the addition of a dining area, a larger art/music room, the conversion of the current art/music room to a Pre-K area, additional restrooms on the second floor, the construction of a classroom space above the new art/music room, and the conversion of the current table storage area into a teacher lounge/resource center for staff at Doddridge County Elementary School  (Attachment F)

• Amendment to the Fayette County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include the construction of four additional classrooms and restroom facilities at Valley Elementary School  (Attachment G)

• Amendment to the Harrison County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include the removal of the construction of a new elementary school in the Bridgeport feeder area; removal of the renovation of Lumberport Middle School to become Lumberport Elementary; and add construction of a new Lumberport Elementary School  (Attachment H)

• Amendment to the Jefferson County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include the addition of five kindergarten classrooms, the addition of restrooms and the removal of portable classrooms at South Jefferson Elementary  (Attachment I)

• Amendment to the Lincoln County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include sprinkler renovations, a new fire alarm system, lighting replacement, and the replacement of rooftop HVAC units at Hamlin Pre-School and Central Office Complex  (Attachment J)

• Amendment to the Marion County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include the renovation/replacement of the HVAC system at East Fairmont High School and the renovation of Fairmont Senior High School  (Attachment K)

• Amendment to the Mingo County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include the addition of a walkway from the Burch High School facility to the Annex building  (Attachment L)

• Amendment to the Pleasants County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include a building project at St. Marys High School to provide two additional classrooms, a multipurpose classroom, a classroom for weight training, restrooms, locker rooms, athletic trainer facilities, storage areas and offices for seasonal coaches.  The facility will meet all federal, state and local regulatory requirements  (Attachment M)

• Amendment to the Putnam County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include the addition of two classrooms at George Washington Elementary School.  Also, the new school in Teays Valley will be named Mountain View Elementary  (Attachment Mc)

• Amendment to the Raleigh County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include the upgrading of the electrical and heating system and to provide A/C for Woodrow Wilson High School gymnasium  (Attachment N)

• Amendment to the Randolph County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to change the status of Homestead Elementary School from closed status to permanent school facility status as well as renovating the electricity and plumbing  (Attachment O)

• Amendment to the Upshur County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include the renovation/replacement of the HVAC system at Buckhannon Academy Elementary School  (Attachment P)

• Amendment to the Wetzel County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include the renovation/replacement of the HVAC system at Long Drain School  (Attachment Q)

• Amendment to the Wood County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include focusing on major security link additions to instructional facilities which include three new classrooms at Jackson Middle School and five new classrooms at Edison Middle School.  Also, ADA compliant accessible cafeteria and third floor separate restrooms at Jackson Middle School.  Additional construction at Edison within the security link will include modifications to the office area with visitor access control and major repair to the foundation in rooms 17, 19, 21 and the library.  Both facilities will be sprinkled according to West Virginia State Fire Code  (Attachment R)

• Amendment to the Wyoming County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include the replacement of the HVAC system at Pineville Middle School and replacement of windows at Baileysville Elementary and Middle School  (Attachment S)

• One continuation waiver of policy, one continuation waiver of instructional materials, and one new waiver of instructional materials  (Attachment T)

• One waiver request for a one year time extension to complete required professional development as required by the West Virginia Principal Leadership Academy for Experienced Principals and (Attachment U)

• Notifications, per Senate Bill 227, W. Va. Code §18A-4-7a, Transfer of Teachers After Five Days Prior to Starting Instruction, from Calhoun, Fayette, Hampshire, Kanawha, Marshall and Wetzel County Schools  (Attachment V)

• West Virginia Board of Education/West Virginia School Board Association School Board Member Training Standards Review Committee (TSRC) Minutes, Procedures of Operation and West Virginia County Board Members’ Credit Hours of Training – FINAL Report for 2007-2008  (Attachment W-1, W-2 and W-3).

IX.        West Virginia Board of Education/West Virginia School Boards

Association School Board Member Training  

Standards Review Committee (TSRC) 

Ms. Sally Cann, member of the Randolph County Board of Education and Co-Chair of the TSRC, provided a brief report on behalf of the committee.

X.        Break

        President Cook called for a break at 10:52 a.m.  

XI.        Call to Order

        President Cook called the meeting back to order at 11:05 a.m.

XII.        Reports

Board Member/Committee Reports.  President Cook, Ms. Haden, Mrs. Fish, and Dr. Johnson (distributed information) provided information regarding their participation in a number of meetings and events.  Dr. Johnson brought information to the Board from the Jobs Cabinet and requested the Board’s direction.  Following discussion, it was decided that an item would be placed on a December agenda to allow the Board to thoroughly review and discuss the role and function of the Jobs Cabinet and its legislative agenda.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment EE.)

Wellness Committee.  Mrs. Fish distributed information and provided an update on the behalf of the Wellness Committee and reported that the Board will be requested, at the January meeting, to endorse a position statement concerning coordinated school health.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment FF.)

WV VITAL Stakeholders Committee.  Dr. Johnson provided a brief update on the behalf of the committee.  

State Superintendent’s Report.  Superintendent Paine presented Department personnel actions for the Board’s information and provided updates in Lincoln (Dr. Johnson requested a progress report in Lincoln County), McDowell and Mingo Counties (Mrs. Fish requested joint meetings with Lincoln, McDowell and Mingo County Boards to receive progress reports).  Upon motion by Ms. Hatfield, seconded by Dr. Johnson, the Board unanimously accepted the Superintendent’s report regarding Lincoln, McDowell and Mingo County Schools.  Superintendent Paine distributed an informational document entitled, “County Board of Education Excess and Bond Levies on the November 4, 2008 Ballot.” Chancellor Skidmore departed the meeting.  Report number three, Follow-up to WVBE Professional Development/ Training (October 22-23 and November 6, 2008, was deferred to the December meeting.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment X and addendum.)  

XIII.        Break

        President Cook called for a break for lunch at 12:10 p.m.  

XIV.        Call to Order

        President Cook called the meeting back to order at 12:45 p.m.

XV.        Reports (Continued)

State Superintendent’s Report (Continued) ~ 21st Century Learning Assessment Report.  Ms. Liza Cordeiro, Executive Director, WVDE Office of Communications, provided a report regarding research, conducted by the WVDE, regarding a future public outreach initiative regarding the 21st Century Learning and Teaching program. Results from the student, teacher and parent survey were reviewed and next steps discussed.  West Virginia Board of Education Strategic Plan and Performance Evidence for 2008.  Dr. Jack McClanahan, Deputy State Superintendent of Schools, provided the Board an explanation of the process for accessing, on the WVDE’s website, the performance evidence collected on the Board goals and objectives for 2007-2008 and also provided a brief review of the data.  Mrs. Fish requested that this item be placed on the December agenda for more in-depth discussion of the data.

West Virginia AP Data and Principals’ Leadership Academy Waiver Process.  Dr. Patricia S. Kusimo (distributed information), CEO, West Virginia Center for Professional Development (WVCPA), presented AP data for 2007-2008, and Dr. Dixie Billheimer, WVCPD Director of Principal Programs and Instructional Technology, provided information regarding the Principals’ Leadership Academy and the waiver process for the same.  Dr. Kusimo requested that the Board send a letter of congratulations to responsible parties regarding gains in AP programs.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment Y and addendum.)

        West Virginia Professional Teaching Standards.  Dr. Karen Huffman, Special Assistant to the State Superintendent of Schools, WVDE Division of Special Projects – Superintendent’s Center for 21st Century Schools,  Dr. Van Dempsey, Chair, West Virginia Commission for Professional Teaching Standards, and Dean of Teacher Education, School of Education, Fairmont State University, and Mr. Nathan Estel, Executive Director, WVDE Office of Professional Preparation, presented progress report regarding work that has been completed and a timeline for next steps for the revision of professional teaching standards to assure alignment with the state’s 21st century teaching and learning initiative.  The teaching standards will be the basis for policy and practice relative to professional development, higher education teacher preparation program approval and teacher performance evaluation.  This item will be taken up again on the January agenda and members wishing a response to specific questions are to provide the question(s) to Superintendent Paine, Dr. McClanahan, Dr. Huffman or Mr. Estel. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment Z.)

XVI.        Policy 2340, West Virginia Measures of Academic Progress

        Dr. Jan Barth, Executive Director, WVDE Office of Assessment and Accountability, presented Policy 2340 for the Board’s consideration.  Policy 2340 was placed on public comment at the August WVBE meeting.  Minor editorial changes were made to the policy as a result of comments received during the comment period.

        Upon motion by Ms. Phillips, seconded by Ms. Hatfield, the Board unanimously approved Policy 2340.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment AA-1 and approved document at AA-2.)

XVII.        Official State Multiple List of Instructional Materials for

World Languages, Driver Education, Dance and Theatre 

                Dr. Jorea Marple, Assistant State Superintendent, Division of Curriculum and Instructional Services, and Ms. Carla Williamson, Executive Director, WVDE Office of Instruction presented the Official State Multiple List of Instructional Materials for World Languages, Driver Education, Dance and Theatre for the Board’s consideration.  The West Virginia Instructional Materials Review Committee and the West Virginia Instructional Materials Advisory Committee, in accordance with the requirements specified in W. Va. Code §18-2A-2, completed the process of reviewing instructional materials for World Languages, Driver Education, Dance and Theatre and the instructional materials recommended have met established generic and specific criteria for World Languages, Driver Education, Dance and Theatre.  In addition, the materials are aligned with the Content Standards and Objectives.  Upon approval these recommendations will become part of the Official State Multiple List of Instructional Materials located at http://wveis.k12.wv.us/nclb/materials/public.

        Upon motion by Dr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Phillips, the Board unanimously approved Official State Multiple List of Instructional Materials for World Languages, Driver Education, Dance and Theatre.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment BB.)

XVIII.        WVBE Personnel Matters

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

XIX.        Board Items for Future Consideration

        President Cook requested the Board’s input regarding the scheduling of a meeting on December 9 (to begin at 9 or 10 a.m.) to take up the Board’s 2009 legislative agenda.  With the exception of Mrs. Fish, all present members approved the date of December 9.  President Cook requested that members wishing items to be considered for placement on a future agenda to be provided to her, Superintendent Paine or Dr. McClanahan as soon as possible.  President Cook recognized Mr. Picklesimer for his service to the Board as the student representative to the Board during the months of September, October and November.   (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment DD.)  

XX.        Executive Session

President Cook requested a motion to move into Executive Session as provided in W. Va. Code §6-9A-3 (matters involving attorney-client privilege) and/or §6‑9A-4(b)(2)(A) (personnel exception).  Upon motion by Mr. Dunlevy, seconded by Ms. Phillips and unanimously carried, the Board entered into executive session at 2:35 p.m.

XXI.        Return from Executive Session

        The Board returned from Executive Session at 3:02 p.m. at which time President Cook announced that no action was taken and no decisions were made.       

XXII.        Future Meetings

        The Board’s Legislative Committee will meet on December 1, 2008.  The Board will meet December 9, 2008 in Charleston, West Virginia.  The Board will meet with the Regional Education Service Agency Executive Directors on December 10, 2008 in Charleston, West Virginia.  The Board’s WVACEEC Response Committee will meet December 10, 2008 in Charleston, West Virginia.  The next regular meeting of the Board will be held December 10‑11, 2008 in Charleston, West Virginia.

XXIII.        Adjournment

        Upon motion by Mrs. Fish, seconded by Ms. Phillips and unanimously carried, the Board adjourned at 3:05 p.m.

                                           Minutes approved by the Board on December 11, 2008.

                                        Delores W. Cook, President

                                        Jenny N. Phillips, Secretary

   Minutes were recorded by

         Virginia M. Harris

       Secretary to the Board.

        Wvbeminutes11/12/08