MINUTES

WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION

Board Conference Room

Capitol Building 6, Room 353

1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East

Charleston, West Virginia

December 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 December 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, Michael I. Green, Lowell E. Johnson, L. Wade Linger Jr., and Gayle C. Manchin, 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 Ben Adams of Charleston who attends Capital High School.  Members absent were:  Burma Hatfield and ex officio Brian E. Noland, Chancellor, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. 


II. Approval of Agenda


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


III. Consent Agenda


President Haden removed item 3. Amendment - Kanawha County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan (CEFP), and requested that it be taken up immediately following the approval of the Consent Agenda. Upon motion by Ms. Phillips, seconded by Mrs. Manchin, the Board unanimously approved the Consent Agenda as amended.  (Copies appended to Official Minutes, Attachments A through C and E through T.)


Meeting minutes of November 9 and 10, 2009  (Attachment A)


Amendment to the Boone County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include electrical and data cabling upgrades at Van Junior-Senior High School, Sherman High School, Sherman Junior High School, Nellis Elementary, Whitesville Elementary, and Van Elementary  (Attachment B)


Amendment to the Brooke County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include the renovation and addition of a Pre-K Center at Brooke High School (Attachment C)


Amendment to the Lincoln County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include the renovation of the sprinkler system, removal of a tank, and installation of new fire alarm panel devices at Yeager pre-School; and, the removal of a parapet wall/metal cap wall, cleaning of brick, repair of HVAC, and installation of new windows at Midway Elementary  (Attachment E)


Amendment to the Mercer County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include replacement of the gymnasium floor and bleachers at Bluefield Middle School  (Attachment F)


Amendment to the Monongalia  County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include grade configuration changes at Cheat Lake Elementary and Cheat Lake Middle, classification changes at Daybrook Elementary, Easton Elementary, Jakes Run and Woodburn Elementary, and to change the name of Old University High School to Mountaineer Middle School  (Attachment G)


Amendment to the McDowell County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include HVAC renovations for Mount View High School  (Attachment H)


Amendment to the Pendleton County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include HVAC/window upgrade at Franklin Elementary  (Attachment I)


Amendment to the Preston County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include lighting, temperature control and heat generation upgrades, rolling doors, domestic water heating boilers, and the Mammoth units to be replaced at Preston County High School, lighting and temperature control upgrades at Aurora Elementary and Bruceton Elementary, lighting upgrades and pipe insulation at Terra Alta Elementary and East Preston Middle, and lighting upgrades at Rowlesburg Elementary, Rowlesburg Middle School, Valley Elementary, and Fellowsville Elementary.  These improvements will be financed, in part, by a lease purchase agreement over ten years


Amendment to the Wayne County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include the purchase of five modular classrooms to be placed at Wayne Elementary, Kenova Elementary, Prichard Elementary, Fort Gay Elementary, and Tolsia High School  (Attachment J)


Amendment to the Wyoming County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include the construction of a new Pineville Elementary School  (Attachment K)


Two requests for a continuation waiver of instructional materials  (Attachment L)


Five applications for a total of 1,463 applications for Operation Recognition in connection with Policy 4355:  High School Diplomas for Veterans  (Attachment M)


Employment of Substitute Teachers in Areas of Critical Need policies for Fayette and Preston County Schools  (Attachment Mc)


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


Policy 2419, Regulations for the Education of Students with Exceptionalities  (Attachment O)


Policy 2525, West Virginia Universal Access to a Quality Early Education System  (Attachment P)


Policy 5202, Minimum Requirements for the Licensure of Professional/Paraprofessional Personnel and Advanced Salary Classifications  (Attachment Q)


Driver Education program leading to an add-on endorsement in secondary education 9-Adult submitted at Shepherd University  (Attachment R)


Full Accreditation status for Greenbrier West High School, Greenbrier County (Attachment S)


Revised Five-Year Strategic Plan for the Preston County School District  (Attachment T).


IV. Amendment - Kanawha County Comprehensive

Educational Facilities Plan (CEFP)


Dr. Ronald E. Duerring, Superintendent of Kanawha County Schools, addressed the Board regarding the proposed amendment to the Kanawha County CEFP to include the closure of Bonham Elementary School.  Bonham Elementary School students will be transferred to Flinn Elementary, the 5th grade students at Flinn Elementary, Bonham Elementary and Sissonville Elementary will be moved to Sissonville Middle School.  Thereafter, Sissonville Middle School will contain grades 5-8, Flinn Elementary School will contain grades K-4 and Sissonville Elementary will contain grades PreK-4.  


Upon motion by Mr. Dunlevy, seconded by Ms. Phillips, the Board unanimously approved the amendment to the Kanawha County CEFP.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment D.)


V. Reports


Board Member/Committee Reports.  Dr. Johnson participated in a meeting of the Leadership Collaborative and attended a RESA 4 regional council meeting,  Mrs. Manchin attended a presentation an American Public University System re:  virtual school, provided a meeting strategy for future Wellness Committee meetings, attended The Education Alliance awards ceremony and a meeting of the Governor’s Jobs Cabinet, provided information regarding the Save the Children program and educational facets associated with the program, reported the availability of an institute scheduled for mid-June and followed by a study trip to India in July for 20 teachers and indicated that graduate credit will be offered.  Ms. Phillips (distributed information) reported that the Board’s High School Redesign Committee will meet December 17.  Mr. Linger (distributed information) provided information regarding the status of band width in West Virginia schools.  President Haden requested Mr. Linger and Mr. Green form a new Board committee to take up technology issues.  President Haden participated as a judge of an essay contest sponsored by the State Treasurer Office’s and attended a meeting of The Education Alliance.  Copies appended to Official Minutes, Attachment AA.)


■  Report from Student Representative.  Mr. Adams (distributed information) addressed the Board regarding high school students pursuing teaching career.  Superintendent Paine requested that Mr. Adams bring recommendations to the January 2010 meeting regarding a student advisory council to the State Superintendent.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment Y.)


■  Local School Improvement Council (LSIC) Committee.  Mr. Linger (distributed information) presented proposed LSIC guidelines for the Board’s consideration.  An on-line reporting option was discussed.  It was requested that training and promotional aspects be investigated.  Upon motion by Mrs. Cook, seconded by Ms. Phillips, the Board unanimously accepted LSIC Committee report.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment Z.)

  

■  RESA Committee.  Dr. Johnson (distributed information) provided an update on the behalf of the RESA committee including a status report of the September 2009 RESA Task Force Recommendations.  Upon motion by Dr. Johnson, seconded by Mrs. Manchin, the Board unanimously accepted the RESA Committee report.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment BB.)


■  Innovation Zone Selection Committee.  Mr. Linger (distributed information), assisted by Ms. Donna Peduto, Coordinator, WVDE Office of Organizational Effectiveness and Leadership, provided an update regarding Innovation Zone activities. Upon motion by Mrs. Manchin, seconded by Ms. Phillips, the Board unanimously accepted the Innovation Zone Selection Committee report.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment CC.)


■  Report – Revision of West Virginia Professional Development Standards.  Mrs. Cook (distributed information), assisted by Ms. Betty Jo Jordan, Executive Assistant to the State Superintendent, provided an update regarding the revision of West Virginia Professional Development Standards.  President Haden added Mr, Green to the Board’s Professional Development Committee.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment DD.)


■  Addition of Two Members to West Virginia School Boards Association (WVSBA)/WVBE County Board Member Training Standards Review Committee (TSRC).  Mrs. Manchin presented a request from the TSRC for the addition of two members.  Upon motion by Mr. Dunlevy, seconded by Ms. Phillips and unanimously carried, the Board approved the addition of two members to the TSRC.


State Superintendent’s Report.  Superintendent Paine presented Department personnel items for the Board’s information and provided an update regarding Grant County; indicated that a report regarding McDowell County would be presented by the OPEA at a future meeting; reported that Lincoln County has a new Board member, Steve Priestly (Mr. Priestly replaces Thomas Ramey who is now a member of the county commission); stated that an item of business regarding Preston County may be found under New Business; and, assisted by Mr. Dwight D. Dials (distributed information), Superintendent of Mingo County Schools, provided an update regarding Mingo County Schools.  (Copies appended to Official Minutes, Attachment U and addendum.)


Superintendent Paine brought a matter to the Board’s attention that was on yesterday’s agenda but not addressed. It was requested that the Board support the resolution of the Other Post Employment Benefit (OPEB) liability issue.  OPEB costs largely reflect health care and life insurance coverage promised to state, county and local government employees upon retirement.  Following discussion, it was the consensus of the Board that the Board support the resolution of the OEPB liability issue.  Superintendent Paine introduced Ms. Michele Legg, dance instructor at Capitol High School, Kanawha County, and spoke to the integration of fine arts in the curriculum.  President Haden requested that an item regarding integration of fine arts in the curriculum be placed on a future agenda for further discussion.


VI. Approval of Lease Purchase Agreement for Energy Upgrades

on behalf of Preston County Schools


Ms. Heather L. Deskins, Esq., general counsel to the WVBE and WVDE, presented a Lease Purchase Agreement for energy upgrades on behalf of Preston County Schools for the Board’s consideration.  This resolution of the WVBE for and on behalf of the Board of Education of the County of Preston (the “district”) is to approve the lease purchase agreement for energy upgrades whereby First Security Leasing, Inc., leases certain property to the district pursuant to a lease purchase agreement in the amount of $2,027,222; and authorizing the execution of the lease purchase agreement, the guaranteed energy savings contract with Constellation Energy Projects & Services Group, Inc., and such other documents and certificates as may be necessary to carry out the transactions contemplated by the aforementioned agreement.  Ms. Deskins introduced Mr. Ed McDivitt, Esq., the attorney who drafted the lease purchase agreement for Preston County Schools.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment EE.)


Upon motion by Ms. Phillips, seconded by Mrs. Manchin and unanimously carried, the Board, on the behalf of Preston County Schools, approved the lease purchase agreement for energy upgrades.


VII. Approval of Lease Purchase Agreement

on behalf of Mingo County Schools


Ms. Deskins presented a Lease Purchase Agreement on the behalf of Mingo County Schools for the Board’s consideration.  This resolution of the WVBE for and on behalf of the Board of Education of the County of Mingo (the “district”) is to approve the lease purchase agreement whereby United Bank, Inc., leases certain property to the district pursuant to a lease purchase agreement in an amount not to exceed $2,000,000; and authorizing the execution of the lease purchase agreement and such other documents and certificates as may be necessary to carry out the transactions contemplated by the aforementioned agreement.  Mr. Ed McDivitt, Esq., drafted the lease purchase agreement for Mingo County Schools.  


Upon motion by Mr. Dunlevy, seconded by Mrs. Cook and unanimously carried, the Board, on the behalf of Mingo County Schools, approved the lease purchase agreement.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment FF.)


VIII. Update of WVBE Statutory Units/Liaisons/Presidential 

Committees 2009-2010 (The Education Alliance)


President Haden distributed an amended listing of Board Committee appointments for 2009-2010 for the Board’s consideration with a change at appointment at The Education Alliance (changed to Board President) and also at the Holocaust Education Committee (Mr. Green replaces Mr. Linger).


Upon motion by Mrs. Manchin, seconded by Mrs. Cook, the Board unanimously approved the appointments listing as amended.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment V.) 


IX. WVBE Personnel Matters


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


X. 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.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment X.)  

XI. Future Meetings

The next regular meeting of the Board will be held January 13-14, 2010, in Charleston, West Virginia.  


XII. Adjournment


President Haden declared the meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m.

 

   Minutes approved by the Board on January 14, 2010.




________________________________________________

Priscilla M. Haden, President




________________________________________________

Robert W. Dunlevy, Secretary


   Minutes were recorded by

         Virginia M. Harris

       Secretary to the Board. 

        Wvb0eminutes12/10/09









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