MINUTES

WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION

Board Conference Room

Capitol Building 6, Room 353

1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East

Charleston, West Virginia

September 10, 2009



I. Call to Order


  President Priscilla M. Haden called the meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) to order at 9:00 a.m. on September 10, 2009, in the Board Conference Room, Capitol Building 6, Room 353, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East, Charleston, West Virginia.


The following members were present:  President Haden, Vice President Jenny N. Phillips, Secretary Robert W. Dunlevy, Delores W. Cook, Barbara N. Fish, Burma Hatfield, Lowell E. Johnson, L. Wade Linger Jr., and Gayle C. Manchin, and ex officios Steven L. Paine, State Superintendent of Schools.  Student representative in attendance was Jordan Lovejoy of Pineville who attends Wyoming East High School.  Members absent were ex officios 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. Delegations


Mr. Richard L. Olcott, President, West Virginia School Board Association (WVSBA), addressed the Board regarding the WVSBA’s fall conference and other concerns of county school boards.


III. Approval of Agenda


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


IV. Consent Agenda


Upon motion by Dr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Phillips, the Board unanimously approved the Consent Agenda.  (Copies appended to Official Minutes, Attachments A through L.)


Meeting minutes of  August 5, 12, 13, and 26, 2009  (Attachment A)


Amendment to the Cedar Lakes Conference Center Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include the addition of approximately 1,950 square feet to the Assembly Hall, upgrading of the lighting, internet access, and technology upgrades and new restroom facilities  (Attachment B)

Amendment to the Kanawha County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include the closure of Chandler Elementary and Glenwood Elementary Schools at the conclusion of the 2009-2010 year.  Students from these schools will merge into the new West Side Elementary School (Attachment C)


Amendment to the Ritchie County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include the relocation of Smithville Elementary School to portable trailers on the school grounds for renovations of the original school site during the 2009-2010 school year.  All required fire, safety and health inspections have taken place for the use of these portable trailers  (Attachment D)


One request for a new waiver of WVBE policy and one request for a new waiver of instructional materials  (Attachment E)


Three applications for a total of 1,458 applications for Operation Recognition in connection with Policy 4355:  High School Diplomas for Veterans  (Attachment F)


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


Policy 2340, West Virginia Measures of Academic Progress (Attachment H)


Policy 2445.41, "Textbooks" Adoption: Notice, Request and Instructions to Publishers  (Attachment I)


Policy 2419, Regulations for the Education of Students with Exceptionalities, on public review for 60 days with a 30 day public comment period to begin on October 13, 2009  (Attachment J)


Teacher Preparation Programs leading to initial certification in Spanish 5-Adult and Physical/Health Education PK-Adult at Glenville State College and Spanish PK-Adult and 5-Adult at Concord University  (Attachment K)


Revised Five-Year Strategic Plans for Frankfort Middle School (Mineral County), Ripley High School (Jackson County), and Beckley Center School (Office of Institutional Education Programs)  (Attachment L).


V. Reports


RESA Committee.  Dr. Johnson (distributed information) presented additional recommendations resulting from the committee’s September 3 meeting for the Board’s consideration.  Dr. Johnson recommended, and the recommendation was accepted by consensus, that members (as assigned to RESAs) be involved in the evaluation of the RESA Executive Directors. Dr. Johnson also recommended, and the recommendation was accepted by consensus, that a regional plan for statewide implementation be investigated/implemented.  Mr. Linger suggested, and the suggestion was referred to the financial sub-committee, that a fee for services be implemented by RESAs.  Upon motion by Mrs. Manchin, seconded by Ms. Phillips, the Board unanimously accepted the recommendations as amended.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment Q.)  


Dr. Johnson distributed a Master Use Agreement between RESA III and Bayer CropScience LP for the Board’s consideration. Mr. Chuck Nichols, Executive Director, RESA III, provided an overview of the agreement and services provided by RESA III.  Upon motion by   Dr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Phillips, the Board unanimously approved the agreement pending review and approval by the Board’s general counsel.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment R.)  


Dr. Johnson attended the following meetings: West Virginia Center for Professional Development, RESA I Regional Council, and 21st Century Jobs Cabinet of West Virginia, Stakeholders Study Group on Teacher Recruitment, Hiring, and Retention.  The stakeholder study group will meet to discuss hiring, leadership, and recommendations for West Virginia in September, review state code in October, and to discuss teacher effectiveness issues in November.  Mrs. Manchin announced (member will receive invitations) that an education summit is planned for October 29 at the University of Charleston.  Dr. Johnson indicated that he participated in the planning for the education summit.


High School Redesign Committee.  Ms. Phillips announced that the committee will meet September 15 at 1 p.m. in Charleston.


Student Representative Report, Beverage Options (Wyoming County).  Ms. Lovejoy (distributed information) addressed the Board regarding beverages currently offered in Wyoming County schools.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment S.)  


Mrs. Cook participated in the following meetings:  Board’s RESA Committee (announced that a meeting of the Board’s RESA Sub‑committee on Professional Development is planned) and West Virginia Civics Literacy Council.


 Mrs. Fish announced changes on the national level that may impact child nutrition initiatives and also announced that 52 of the 55 county school systems are now dry counties.  Mrs. Fish presented Ms. Lovejoy a book on healthy snack alternatives.


Mrs. Haden participated in a number of meetings including a meeting of the Public Broadcasting Authority. 


VI. Break


President Haden called for a break at 10:37 a.m.  


VII. Call to Order


President Haden called the meeting back to order at 10:55 a.m.

State Superintendent’s Report.  Superintendent Paine presented Department personnel items for the Board’s information, provided updates in McDowell, Mingo, and Preston Counties.  Superintendent Paine announced the resignation of the Grant County superintendent and issued concern regarding emerging trends in Grant County.  Dr. Howard O’Cull, Executive Director, West Virginia School Board Association, addressed the Board regarding Grant County and his work with the county that has taken place since February.  Superintendent Paine requested, based on information and reports, that Dr. Seal be directed to immediately perform an audit of Grant County Schools.  Mrs. Fish requested immediate attention be paid to a report of an unsafe bus stop.  President Haden requested that members bring concerns regarding Grant County to the attention of Superintendent Paine and Dr. Seal.  Superintendent Paine also issued concern regarding student achievement trends in Grant County.  Upon motion by Dr. Johnson, seconded by Mrs. Cook, the Board unanimously directed Dr. Seal to perform immediately an audit of Grant County Schools and that Superintendent Paine contact the President of the Grant County School System.  Superintendent Paine requested the Board’s direction with regard to legislative recommendations.  It was the consensus of the Board that legislative recommendations be provided to members and that a meeting or meetings be scheduled as necessary.  Superintendent Paine provided a brief update regarding Teach 21, school improvement and broadband.  A more in-depth report regarding broadband will be provided at a future meeting.  Mr. Dunlevy departed the meeting. 


Update - H1N1.  Ms. Melanie Purkey, Executive Director, WVDE Office of Healthy Schools, provided an update regarding H1N1 (swine flu) preparedness, prevention, and interventions.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment M.)  


VIII. WVBE Strategic Plan for 2009-2010


Dr. Johnson presented the Board’s strategic plan for 2009-2010 for the Board’s consideration including the following amendments to page four at end of bullet one the addition at of the words “in grades three through eleven”; at bullet two after the words “ACT college readiness” the words “benchmarks for English, reading, mathematics and science”; and at the end of bullet three the words “in grades four and eight”; and also the deletion of the following language on page six, “There shall be an understanding of the elements of 21st century teaching and learning and in the ability of educators to access and use resources that will assist them in developing 21st century teaching and learning skills as reported in the evaluation plan designed by West Virginia Department of Education Office of Research and Evaluation.”  


Upon motion by Dr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Phillips, the Board unanimously approved its strategic plan for 2009-2010 as amended.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment Mc.)  


IX. National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE)

Board of Directors Election and Selection of Voting Delegate


President Haden requested a motion to designate a voting member and an alternate to represent West Virginia at NASBE’s Annual Business Meeting on October 16, 2009.  It was the consensus of the Board that President Haden will serve as the voting member and Vice President Phillips will serve as the alternate voting member.


President Haden presented the nominees for the 2010 NASBE Board of Directors.  Upon consensus of the Board, Dana Mann‑Tavegia (WY) was selected as West Virginia’s nominee to the office of President-elect, Greg Haws (UT) to the office of Secretary-Treasurer, and Rosetta Richard (MS) to the office of Southern Area Director.  Dr. Johnson requested that items for NASBE’s silent auction be provided to him as soon as possible. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment N.)  

X. WVBE Personnel Matters 


Upon motion by Dr. Johnson, seconded by Mrs. Manchin, the Board unanimously approved the Board’s personnel items as presented in the attachment.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment O.)


XI. Board Items for Future Consideration


President Haden requested that items mentioned during the meeting and any others that members wish to be considered for placement on a future agenda be provided to her or Dr. Jack McClanahan, Deputy State Superintendent of Schools, as soon as possible.  Superintendent Paine will place an item on a future agenda dealing with web advertising.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment P.)  


XII. Future Meetings

The next meeting of the Board will be held September 23, 2009, in Charleston, West Virginia to take action on Policies 2512 and 3236.  The next regular meeting of the Board will be held October 7-8, 2009, in Charleston, West Virginia.  


XIII. Adjournment


President Haden declared the meeting adjourned at 11:55 a.m.

 

   Minutes approved by the Board on October 8, 2009.



________________________________________________

Priscilla M. Haden, President



________________________________________________

Robert W. Dunlevy, Secretary


   Minutes were recorded by

         Virginia M. Harris

       Secretary to the Board. 

        Wvbeminutes9/10/09









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