MINUTES

WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION

Morgantown High School

109 Wilson Avenue

Morgantown, West Virginia

April 14, 2010



I. Call to Order


  President Priscilla M. Haden called the meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) to order at 12:30 p.m. on April 14, 2010, in the Library at Morgantown High School, 109 Wilson Avenue, Morgantown, West Virginia.


The following members were present:  President Haden, Vice President Jenny N. Phillips, Secretary Robert W. Dunlevy, Delores W. Cook, Michael I. Green, Burma Hatfield, Lowell E. Johnson, L. Wade Linger Jr., and Gayle C. Manchin, and ex officio Steven L. Paine, State Superintendent of Schools.  Members absent were Burma Hatfield and 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.


President Haden introduced members of the Monongalia County Board of Education and the Superintendent of Monongalia County Schools, Dr. Frank Devono.


II. Welcome and Introductions


Dr. Devono welcomed the Board and introduced Monongalia County Board of Education President Dr. Nancy Walker, Mr. Robert DeSantis, Principal of Morgantown High School (also provided a welcome), and Monongalia County Schools staff.


III. Delegations


Mr. Dale Lee, President, West Virginia Education Association, addressed the Board regarding the state of the educational system.


IV. Benedum Foundation 


Mr. Green introduced Dr. James V. Denova (distributed information), Vice President of the Benedum Foundation, who addressed the Board regarding the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, a regional philanthropy focusing on West Virginia and Southwestern Pennsylvania.  The Foundation makes grants in three program areas that span both states:Education, Economic Development, and Civic Engagement.  In addition, the Foundation supports programs that are unique to each state; in West Virginia, they are Health & Human Services and Community Development.The Benedum Foundation seeks to promote successful learning throughout the educational system from pre-kindergarten to post-secondary education.  Academic achievement and preparation for the 21st-century workforce are the ultimate objectives of this program. Dr. Denova announced that a $250,000.00 grant from the Benedum Foundation has been awarded to the WVDE for the Innovation Zone initiative.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment I.)  


V. West Virginia University (WVU) 21st Century Teacher Preparation Program


Dr. Dee Hopkins, Dean, and Dr. Joy Saab, Department Chair and Associate Professor, WVU College of Human Resources and Education, provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding WVU’s 21st Century Teacher Preparation Program.


VI. Approval of Agenda


Upon motion by Mrs. Cook, seconded by Mr. Dunlevy, the Board unanimously approved the agenda. 


VII. Initial Individual School Education Performance Audit Report

for Sherman Junior High School, Boone County


Dr. Kenna R. Seal, Director, Office of Education Performance Audits (OEPA), reported that an announced on-site review (five days in advance) was conducted at Sherman Junior High School March 17, 2010.


Upon the recommendation of Dr. Seal and a motion by Mrs. Cook, seconded by Ms. Phillips, the Board unanimously directed that Sherman Junior High School and Boone County revise the school’s Five-Year Strategic Plan within 30 days and correct the findings noted in the report by the next accreditation cycle.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment A.) 


VIII. Initial Individual School Education Performance Audit Report

for Sutton Elementary School, Braxton County


Dr. Seal reported that an announced on-site review (five days in advance) was conducted at Sutton Elementary School March 9, 2010.


Upon the recommendation of Dr. Seal and a motion by Ms. Phillips, seconded by Mr. Dunlevy, the Board unanimously directed that Sutton Elementary School and Braxton County revise the school’s Five-Year Strategic Plan within 30 days and correct the finding noted in the report by the next accreditation cycle.  Mr. Dennis J. Albright, Superintendent of Braxton County Schools, addressed the Board regarding the Sutton Elementary School audit report.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment B.) 


IX. Initial Individual School Education Performance Audit Report

for French Creek Elementary School, Upshur County


Dr. Seal reported that an announced on-site review (five days in advance) was conducted at French Creek Elementary School March 10, 2010.


Upon the recommendation of Dr. Seal and a motion by Mr. Dunlevy, seconded by Ms. Phillips, the Board unanimously directed that French Creek Elementary School and Upshur County revise the school’s Five-Year Strategic Plan within 30 days and correct the finding noted in the report by the next accreditation cycle.  Following discussion, Dr. Seal was requested to be more specific in future reports with regard to findings, i.e., individual as opposed to school-wide.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment C.) 


X. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the

West Virginia Board of Education and the Hardy, Grant and

Pendleton County Boards of Education Regarding the Delegation

of Operation of the South Branch Career and Technical Center

to the Administrative Council per W. Va. Code §18-2B-2


Dr. Stan Hopkins, Assistant State Superintendent, WVDE Division of Technical and Adult Education Services, presented the MOU for the Board’s consideration


Upon motion by Mrs. Manchin, seconded by Ms. Phillips, the Board unanimously approved the MOU.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment D and addendum.)  


XI. Break


President Haden called for a break at 2:25 p.m.  


XII. Call to Order


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


XIII. RESA 8 Purchase of Real Property


Ms. Heather Deskins, General Counsel to the WVBE and WVDE, presented RESA 8’s request to purchase a building in Hedgesville (Berkeley County) by RESA 8 to house a Head Start program for the Board’s consideration.  Ms. Diane Ansari, Head Start Coordinator, RESA 8, assisted Ms. Deskins with questions regarding ownership issues.  It was requested that the deed include language regarding the disposition of said property in the event disposition becomes necessary.


Upon motion by Dr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Phillips, the Board unanimously approved the purchase of the Hedgesville building to house a Head Start program.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment E.) 


XIV. Policy 2520.35, 21st Century Science 9-12 Content Standards and Objectives for West Virginia Schools


Ms. Carla Williamson, Executive Director, WVDE Office of Instruction, presented the Environmental Science content standards and objectives, to be incorporated into Policy 2520.35, for the Board’s consideration.


Upon motion by Dr. Johnson, seconded by Mrs. Manchin, the Board approved the Environmental Science content standards and objectives with seven members voting yes, and one member, Mr. Linger, voting no.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachments F-1 and F-2.)


XV. West Virginia Annual Application Under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as Amended in 2004 for Federal Fiscal Year 2010


Dr. Sandra McQuain, Assistant Director, WVDE Office of Special Programs, Extended and Early Learning, presented West Virginia’s Annual Application Under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as Amended in 2004 for Federal Fiscal Year 2010 for the Board’s consideration.  


Upon motion by Ms. Phillips, seconded by Mr. Dunlevy, the Board unanimously approved the Annual Application Under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as Amended in 2004 for Federal Fiscal Year 2010.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes Attachment G.) 


XVI. WESTEST 2 Cut Scores and Academic Achievement Descriptors


Dr. Jan Barth, Executive Director, WVDE Office of Assessment, Accountability and Research, presented WESTEST 2 cut scores for 2010 through 2014 for the Board’s consideration.


Upon motion by Mr. Dunlevy, seconded by Ms. Phillips, the Board unanimously approved the WESTEST 2 cut scores and academic achievement descriptors for 2010 through 2014.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes Attachment H.)


XVII. Future Meetings

The next regular meeting of the Board will be held April 15, 2010, at Morgantown High School in Morgantown, West Virginia.  


XVIII. Adjournment


President Haden declared the meeting adjourned at 3:11 p.m.


   Minutes approved by the Board on May 13, 2010.




_______________________________________________

Priscilla M. Haden, President




_______________________________________________

Robert W. Dunlevy, Secretary

 

  Minutes were recorded by

         Virginia M. Harris

       Secretary to the Board. 

        Wvbeminutes4/14/10