MINUTES

WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION

Morgantown High School

109 Wilson Avenue

Morgantown, West Virginia

April 15, 2010




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 April 15, 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, Lowell E. Johnson, L. Wade Linger Jr., and Gayle C. Manchin, and ex officios Steven L. Paine, State Superintendent of Schools, and Brian E. Noland, Chancellor, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.  Members absent were Burma Hatfield and ex officio James L. Skidmore, Chancellor, West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education.


II. Welcome and Introductions


Mr. Green introduced Mayor William Byrne, Mayor of Morgantown, who welcomed the Board to Morgantown.  Dr. Frank Devono, Superintendent of Monongalia County Schools,  welcomed the Board and introduced Monongalia County staff and Mr. Dennis Gallon, Principal, and teacher, Mr. Jeremy Bartholow, South Middle School, who provided a brief overview of a vocational/technical program at South Middle School and presented pens made by the class to Board members, Mrs. Debra Tampoya, Principal, Mylan Park Elementary, who distributed/presented a booklet entitled  “Get A Good Education” prepared by students at Mylan Park Elementary.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment O.)


III. Delegations


Mr. Hugh Wiley, citizen of Mononglia County, addressed the Board regarding consolidations and the need for a plan of action for the future use of the building/property.  Mr. Scott Hendricks, citizen of Monongalia County, addressed the Board regarding travel time for students and a level four citizen appeal that has not been addressed by the WVDE.  Superintendent Paine assured Mr. Hendricks that he would receive a decision within one week  


IV. Approval of Agenda


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


V. Consent Agenda


President Haden requested that item 9. Revised Individual School Strategic Plans – Wahama High School (Mason County), Beckley-Stratton Middle School (Raleigh County), St. Marys High School (Pleasants County), and Baileysville Elementary-Middle School (Wyoming County) be removed from the Consent Agenda and to immediately follow the Consent Agenda to allow Dr. F. Joseph Super, Superintendent of Pleasants County Schools, to speak.  Upon motion by Dr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Phillips the Board unanimously approved the Consent Agenda as amended.  (Copies appended to Official Minutes, Attachments A through I, K, and L.)


Meeting minutes of March 10 and 11, 2010  (Attachment A)


Amendment to the Boone County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include the construction of a main entrance for Sherman High School, a commons addition to the existing cafeteria shared by junior and senior high school students, four science classrooms with labs for Sherman High School, and a bus loop with parking upgrades for both Sherman High School and Sherman Junior High School  (Attachment B)


Amendment to the Cabell County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include the closure/consolidation of Enslow Middle School with Beverly Hills Middle School for the 2011-2012 school year.   Then upon completion of the new middle school, Beverly Hills Middle School will close and those students will then attend the new middle school facility  (Attachment C)


Amendment to the Mineral County Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan to include the construction of a new Keyser Primary School  (Attachment D)


Three requests for a continuation waiver of instructional materials  (Attachment E)


Thirty-six (36) county applications representing summer school at 122 county locations  (Attachment F)


Two additional applications for a total of 1,465 applications for Operation Recognition in connection with Policy 4355:  High School Diplomas for Veterans  (Attachment G)


2009-2010 Personnel Data Report  (Attachment H)


Issued the Ralph R. Willis Vocational Center, Logan County, Full Accreditation status (Attachment I)


County Plans to Eliminate Financial Deficits for the Mason County and Preston County School Systems  (Attachment K)


Five-Year Strategic Plans for the 55 county boards of education  (Attachment L).


VI. Revised Individual School Strategic Plans for

Wahama High School (Mason County),  

Beckley-Stratton Middle School (Raleigh County),

St. Marys High School (Pleasants County),

and Baileysville Elementary-Middle School (Wyoming County)


Superintendent Super addressed the Board regarding the Revised Individual School Strategic Plan for St. Marys High School.


Upon motion by Dr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Dunlevy, the Board unanimously approved the Revised Individual School Strategic Plans for Wahama High School (Mason County), Beckley-Stratton Middle School (Raleigh County), St. Marys High School (Pleasants County), and Baileysville Elementary-Middle School (Wyoming County).  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment J.)


VII. Reports


Superintendent Paine introduced Mr. Ted Mattern, Superintendent of Grant County Schools, and Dr. Larry Parsons (distributed information), Superintendent of Preston County Schools, who provided progress reports.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment P.)


VIII. Break


President Haden called for a break at 10:04 a.m.  


IX. Call to Order


President Haden called the meeting back to order at 10:20 a.m. at which time she distributed a press release and congratulated Superintendent Paine regarding his appointment as President of the Council of Chief State School Officers.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment Q.)


X. Potential Legislative/Policy Actions for Educational Reform


Superintendent Paine addressed the Board regarding potential legislative and policy actions to bring about educational reform.  Discussion ensued regarding the future of education, reauthorization of ESEA, Race to the Top funding, Global21, recommendations from the Governor’s Jobs Cabinet, lobbying, state code limitations, an approved agenda endorsed by the Board for submission to the Governor for consideration during a special legislative session and how the agenda will be received by the Governor, constitutional aspect/WVBE’s role with regard to charter schools (Ms. Donna Peduto, Coordinator, WVDE Office of Organizational Effectiveness and Leadership, addressed the Board regarding charter school regulatory issues), hiring practices/collective bargaining, annual evaluations for all vested parties, alternative pathways for teachers and principals, removal of  principals from low performing schools and due process rights (Mr. Chuck Heinlein, Executive Director, WVDE Office of Organizational Effectiveness and Leadership, addressed the Board regarding due process rights), and growth data. Mr. Nathaniel Hixsom (distributed information), Coordinator, WVDE Office of Assessment, Accountability and Research, addressed the Board regarding a student growth model at the school, classroom and system level.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment R.)


XI. Reports  (Continued)


■  Board Member/Committee Reports.  Mrs. Manchin attended a Learning First Affiliate (LFA) meeting, visited RESA 7, attended a group math meeting in Wood County and visited a number of schools in Wood County and the Crittendon Center, attended drop-out prevention and attendance meetings, participated in a round table discussion with Tom Carroll, attended a STEM meeting at the June Harless Center, and announced that a meeting of the Governor’s Jobs Cabinet that will take place on April 16 beginning at 1:30 p.m. in Charleston. Dr. Johnson attended an LFA meeting and will attend an LFA national meeting next week in Washington, D.C., Governor’s Jobs Cabinet sub-committee on Charter Schools, NASBE central region meeting (issued a concern regarding competitive grant writing), announced a meeting of the Board’s RESA Committee in Dunbar to take place on April 16 beginning at 9:30 a.m.  Ms. Phillips attended a meeting of the West Virginia Commission for Professional Teaching Standards  on April 12 and 13, announced a meeting of the Board’s High School Redesign Committee on May 5 at 9:00 a.m., and recognized Mr. Bill Elswick, Executive Director, WVDE Office of School Facilities, upon his retirement at the end of May.  Mr. Green provided an update regarding the revitalization of the Amber Vision system (missing child alert – free for all West Virginians).  Mr. Linger (and Mr. Green) participated in a meeting on March 12 with the Governor’s Jobs Cabinet regarding technology.  President Haden attended a pre-conference NASBE event, NASBE Legislative Conference, NASBE “For the Common Good” committee meeting, and a Governor’s Jobs Cabinet sub-committee meeting.

   

■  State Superintendent’s Report.  Superintendent Paine presented Department personnel items for the Board’s information and, assisted by Dr. Jorea Marple, Assistant State Superintendent, Division of Curriculum and Instructional Services, provided information about I3 grants.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment M.)  


XII. WVBE Personnel Matters


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


XIII. Board Items for Future Consideration


President Haden reminded members that the Board will participate in the evaluation of RESA Executive Directors and announced that the Board agenda is in the process of evolving to an on-line service.  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 Superintendent Paine, as soon as possible.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment N.)  


XIV. Future Meetings

The Board will meet April 19, 2010, in Charleston, West Virginia, to take action regarding educational reform. The next regular meeting of the Board will be held May 12-13, 2010, in Charleston, West Virginia.


XV. Adjournment


President Haden declared the meeting adjourned at 12:58 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. 

        Wvbeminutes4/15/10









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