MINUTES

WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION

Board Conference Room

Capitol Building 6, Room 353

1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East

Charleston, West Virginia

June 8, 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 June 8, 2010, 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, and Gayle C. Manchin, and ex officio Steven L. Paine, State Superintendent of Schools.  Members absent were Burma Hatfield and L. Wade Linger Jr. 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.

II.                                                            Approval of Agenda

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

III.                      Initial Individual School Education Performance Audit Reports for

            Mount Vernon Elementary School and Philip Barbour High School, Barbour County

            Dr. Kenna R. Seal, Director, Office of Education Performance Audits (OEPA), reported that announced on-site reviews (five days in advance) were conducted at Mount Vernon Elementary School and Philip Barbour High School May 5, 2010.  Dr. Deedra J. Lundeen, Superintendent, Barbour County Schools, addressed the Board regarding the audit reports. 

            Upon the recommendation of Dr. Seal and a motion by Ms. Phillips, seconded by Mrs. Cook, the Board unanimously directed that Mount Vernon Elementary School, Philip Barbour High School, and Barbour County revise the schools’ Five-Year Strategic Plans within 30 days and correct the findings noted in the reports by the next accreditation cycle.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment A.)

IV.                   Initial Individual School Education Performance Audit Report for

                                       Wilsonburg Elementary School, Harrison County

            Dr. Seal reported that an announced on-site review (five days in advance) was conducted at Wilsonburg Elementary School on April 22, 2010.

            Upon the recommendation of Dr. Seal and a motion by Mr. Dunlevy, seconded by Ms. Phillips, the Board unanimously directed that Wilsonburg Elementary School and Harrison 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, Superintendent Paine stated that an item would be placed on the July agenda addressing lesson plans in the classroom.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment B.)

V.                                     Initial Education Performance Audit Reports for

               Cedar Grove Elementary School and Hayes Middle School, Kanawha County

            Dr. Seal reported that announced on-site reviews (five days in advance) were conducted at Cedar Grove Elementary School and Hayes Middle School on April 28, 2010.

            Upon the recommendation of Dr. Seal and a motion by Mr. Green, seconded by Ms. Phillips, the Board unanimously directed that Cedar Grove Elementary School, Hayes Middle School and Kanawha County revise the schools’ Five-Year Strategic Plans within 30 days and correct the findings noted in the reports by the next accreditation cycle.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment C.)

VI.                                    Initial Education Performance Audit Report for

                              Nicholas County Career/Technical Center, Nicholas County

            Dr. Seal reported that an announced on-site review (five days in advance) was conducted at Nicholas County Career/Technical Center on May 4, 2010.

            Upon the recommendation of Dr. Seal and a motion by Ms. Phillips, seconded by Mrs. Manchin, the Board unanimously directed that Nicholas County Career/Technical Center and Nicholas 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 D.)

VII.                                 Initial Education Performance Audit Report for

                                                Tucker County School, Tucker County

            Dr. Seal reported that an announced on-site review (five days in advance) was conducted at Tucker County High School on May 6, 2010.  Mr. Richard H. Hicks, Superintendent, Tucker County Schools, addressed the Board regarding the audit report.

            Upon the recommendation of Dr. Seal and a motion by Ms. Phillips, seconded by Mrs. Manchin, the Board unanimously directed that Tucker County High School and Tucker 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 E.)

VIII.                                                                   Break

            President Haden called for a break at 2:23 p.m. 

IX.                                                                Call to Order

            President Haden called the meeting back to order at 2:37 p.m.

X.                           2010 Annual Report of the West Virginia Advisory Council

                                 for the Education of Exceptional Children (WVACEEC)

Dr. Michael Sullivan (distributed information), Executive Director, WVACEEC, provided an overview of the council and its responsibilities.  Dr. Sullivan introduced Mr. Ronald Cantley II, Chairperson, WVACEEC, who presented the 2010 Annual Report of the WVACEEC for the Board’s consideration.  The WVACEEC is mandated by West Virginia Code §18-20-6 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004) to advise the Board on unmet needs of exceptional children.  The WVACEEC conducted seven public hearings across the state to take comments and hear presentations on the status of education for exceptional students.  The findings and recommendations are presented to the Board annually at its June meeting.  President Haden directed that the WVDE’s Office of Special Programs, Extended and Early Learning, formulate a response for the Board’s consideration.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment F and addendum.) 

XI.                                Policy 2444.4, Issuance of the State of West Virginia

                                    General Educational Development (GED®) Diploma

            Ms. Debra Kimbler, Coordinator, WVDE Office of Adult Education and Workforce Development, presented Policy 2444.4 for the Board’s consideration.  The proposed revisions to Policy 2444.4 will allow the State of West Virginia to participate in the GED option program.

            Upon motion by Mrs. Manchin, seconded by Ms. Phillips, the Board unanimously approved Policy 2444.4, at sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 11, for placement on public comment for 30 days.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment G.)

XII.                           Policy 4350, Procedures for the Collection, Maintenance

                                                       and Disclosure of Student Data

            Ms. Heather L. Deskins (distributed information), General Counsel to the WVBE and WVDE, presented Policy 4350 for the Board’s consideration.  Policy 4350 is being revised to define directory information to include a student's name, address, telephone listing, email address, photograph, date, and place of birth, major field of study, dates of attendance, grade level, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student.  The proposed policy revisions will further require counties, at a minimum, to establish that a student’s name, address, dates of attendance, grade level, date of birth, and photograph be designated and maintained as directory information for each student.  These revisions are proposed in the context of enrollment in AmberVision being provided to all West Virginia school age children free of charge.

            Upon motion by Mr. Dunlevy, seconded by Mrs. Manchin, the Board unanimously approved Policy 4350, at sections 3.1.4 and 23.4, for placement on public comment for 30 days.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment H and addendum.)

XIII.                        Policy 5310, Performance Evaluation of School Personnel

            Ms. Lori Wiggins, Executive Director, WVDE Office of Professional Preparation, presented Policy 5310 for the Board’s Consideration.  Policy 5310 is being revised to align with legislation that requires the annual evaluation of classroom teachers, professional support personnel, principals and assistant principals, and athletic coaches.  The revisions modify the minimum number of observations for the classroom evaluation process, decrease the bi-annual evaluation for individuals in their third year of experience, and state that all classroom teachers, professional support personnel, principals and assistant principals with three years of experience or more shall annually participate in the professional growth and development plan process for the purposes of evaluation.

            Following discussion, it was decided that amending Policy 5310 prior to amendment of W. Va. Code would be premature, whereupon Dr. Johnson moved that Board approve the concepts for the performance evaluation of school personnel for release to the public for their consideration and comment.  Mr. Dunlevy seconded the motion and it was carried unanimously.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment I.)

XIV.                      Office of Institutional Education Programs Funding Update

            Dr. Pamela S. Cain, Assistant State Superintendent, Division of Student Support Services, and Mr. Dewayne Duncan, Assistant Director, and Mr. Duane Maxey, Coordinator, WVDE Office of Institutional Education Programs, provided an update regarding funding for institutional education programs.

XV.                 West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Quarterly Update

            Dr. Patsy K. Shank (distributed information), Superintendent, West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, provided an update regarding school activities and initiatives.  (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment J.)

XVI.                                                  WVBE Employee Evaluations

President Haden requested a motion to move into Executive Session as provided in W. Va. Code §6-9A-4(b)(2)(A), to discuss personnel matters involving the evaluation of the State Superintendent of Schools, Director of the Office of Education Performance Audits, Superintendent of the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, Executive Directors of the Regional Education Service Agencies, and the Secretary to the Board.  Upon motion by Mrs. Cook, seconded by Mr. Green and unanimously carried, the Board entered into executive session at 4:31 p.m.

XVII.                                                Return from Executive Session

The Board returned from Executive Session at 5:15 p.m. at which time President Haden called for a motion to recess the meeting until 9:00 a.m. on June 9, 2010, at which time the remainder of the agenda, specifically WVBE Employee Evaluations, would be completed.  Mr. Dunlevy moved, and Mrs. Cook seconded the motion as stated by President Haden.  Upon the call for the question the motion was carried unanimously. 

XVIII.                                            Reconvene and Executive Session

President Haden reconvened the meeting of June 8, 2010, at 9:00 a.m. on June 9, 2010, to complete the remainder of the June 8, 2010, agenda and requested a motion to move into Executive Session as provided in W. Va. Code §6-9A-4(b)(2)(A), to discuss personnel matters involving the evaluation WVBE employees.  Upon motion by Mrs. Phillips, seconded by Mr. Dunlevy and unanimously carried, the Board entered into executive session at 9:02 a.m.

XIX.                                                 Return from Executive Session

The Board returned from Executive Session at 9:32 a.m. at which time President Haden announced that no action was taken or decisions made.  President Haden, in accordance with W. Va. Code '18-3-1, announced that:

Dr. Paine’s job performance exceeds our expectations. He is an outstanding visionary and leader. He has brought prestige to our state and worked diligently in all aspects of education in West Virginia. Dr. Paine has a vast knowledge of current education issues and has a great ability to communicate and in many cases inspire. We are most fortunate to have a person of his caliber to head the state educational system.

XX.                                                            Future Meetings

            The June 9, 2010, meeting will convene in Charleston, West Virginia, upon the adjournment of the June 8, 2010, meeting. 

XXI.                                                             Adjournment

            President Haden declared the June 8, 2010, meeting adjourned at 9:33 a.m. on June 9, 2010.

                                                         Minutes approved by the Board on July 14, 2010.

                                                         _______________________________________________

                                                         Priscilla M. Haden, President

_______________________________________________

                                                         Robert W. Dunlevy, Secretary

   Minutes were recorded by

         Virginia M. Harris

       Secretary to the Board.

        Wvbeminutes6/8/10