AGENDA WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION Capitol Building 6, Suite 600 1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East Charleston, West Virginia December 13, 2023 - 9:00 a.m.
I.	Welcome - Pledge of Allegiance - Introductions - Call to Order
		L. Paul Hardesty, President
II.	Approval of Agenda - (Action)
		L. Paul Hardesty
III.	Recognition(s)
IV.	Delegation(s)
V.	School Safety - (Information)
		Jonah Adkins
VI.	Consent Agenda - (Action)
	A.			Approval of Minutes - (Action)					Attachment A
				It is recommended that the minutes of the November 8, 2023, meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) be approved.
	B.			Routine Business
				1.		Employment of Substitute Teachers in Areas of Critical Need and Shortage - (Action)			Attachment B
								Lara Bissett
						Pursuant to W. Va. Code §18A-2-3, Cabell, Clay, Harrison, Jefferson, Mingo, Monroe, Preston, Roane, and Wood Counties have submitted a policy for the WVBE’s approval.
						It is recommended that the Employment of Substitute Teachers in Areas of Critical Need and Shortage policies for Cabell, Clay, Harrison, Jefferson, Mingo, Monroe, Preston, Roane, and Wood Counties be approved.
				2.		Employment of Retired Bus Operators as Substitutes in Areas of Critical Need and Shortage - (Action)			Attachment C
								Lara Bissett
						Pursuant to W. Va. Code §18A-4-15a, Jefferson, Kanawha, and Wayne Counties have submitted a policy for the WVBE’s approval.
						It is recommended that the Employment of Retired Bus Operators as Substitutes in Areas of Critical Need and Shortage policies for Jefferson, Kanawha, and Wayne Counties be approved.
				3.		Employment of Substitute Teachers in Areas of Critical Need and Shortage Affidavits (December 2022) - (Action)
								Lara Bissett
						Pursuant to W. Va. Code §18A-2-3(c)(2)(G), affidavits from counties must be received and approved by the WVBE for submission to the Consolidated Public Retirement Board. Seven affidavits received from Berkeley County in December 2022 require WVBE approval.
						WVBE legal counsel has reviewed the affidavits and recommend that the seven affidavits received from Berkeley County in December 2022 be received and approved for submission to the Consolidated Public Retirement Board.
				4.		Concord University's Addition of a Clinical Teacher of Record (CTR) Program with Berkeley County - (Action)			Attachment D
								Traci Tuttle
						In November 2023, the WV Educator Preparation Program Review Board (EPPRB) members agreed on a recommendation of approval to the WVBE of Concord University's addition of a Clinical Teacher of Record Program with Berkeley County. Policy 5100 provides guidelines and procedures for the approval of new and continuing educator preparation programs of study leading to licensure in West Virginia and for Clinical Teacher of Record Agreements with West Virginia school districts. Policy 5100 supports the intended collaborative process to improve educator preparation programs and potential educators by incorporating program guidelines based on research and best practices. Support of continuous improvement and clear and consistent guidelines to West Virginia educator preparation programs will produce more effective educators in West Virginia schools, resulting in increased student learning in the classroom.
						It is recommended that the WVBE accept the EPPRB's recommendation of approval of Concord University's addition of a Clinical Teacher of Record Program with Berkeley County.
				5.		2023 Summer Student Opportunities for Learning and Engagement (SOLE) Final Status Report - (Information)			Attachment E
								Melanie Purkey
						The 2023 Summer SOLE Final Status Report provides stakeholders with quantitative and qualitative summaries about the effectiveness of the support, planning, and implementation of the West Virginia Summer SOLE Grant Program. This program was created to provide funding for counties to offer students meaningful, in-person, research-based summer learning experiences that were interactive, engaging, and met both academic and social-emotional needs.
				6.		Policy 8210, Exempt Purchasing Procedures - (Action)			Attachment F
								Phillip Uy
						Policy 8210, required by W. Va. Code §5A-1-1 et seq. and §5A-3-1 et seq., establishes the minimum requirements and procedures to be followed by state education agencies or the purchasing of goods and services obtained for use in their operations which have been granted an exemption from the West Virginia State Purchasing Division. No comments were received during the comment period.
						It is recommended that Policy 8210 be approved and effective 30 days from filing.
				7.		Policy 2322, West Virginia System of Support and Accountability - (Action)			Attachment G
								Alexandra Criner
						Policy 2322 is being amended to clarify language related to the identification of school districts in need of support related to student academic achievement and success and the required actions of the districts based on the level of support needed. In addition, the levels of support for the county operational effectiveness efficiency indicators were revised to clarify the responsibilities of county board members and the requirements for each level of support. New additions to the policy include the livestreaming of local board of education meetings and posting a summary of the annual county board of education self-assessment to the district website.
						It is recommended that Policy 2322 be placed on public comment for 30 days.
				8.		Policy 2510, Assuring the Quality of Education: Regulations for Education Programs - (Action)			Attachment H
								Clinton Burch
						Policy 2510 has been revised for the purposes of adding a personal finance requirement and increasing graduation requirements from 22 to 23 credits beginning with the 2024-2025 Freshman cohort. The Early Learning and Elementary section has been revised to provide a cohesive alignment across middle school and high school grade levels. This includes language around physical activity (recess) for K-5, literacy and numeracy assessments, and changes to high school math credits. Additionally, language was added to provide clarity regarding grading and the transfer of students from other locations including the use of the uniform grading schedule and quality points. The glossary has been revised to contain consistent language found in other policies and initiatives. The revisions do not impact scheduling, required courses, or graduation requirements for the upcoming school year.
						It is recommended that Policy 2510 be placed on public comment for 60 days.
				9.		West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Monthly Update - (Information)			Attachment I
								Clayton Burch, Superintendent, West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind
VII.	New Business
	A.			Amendment - Clay County Board of Education 2020-2030 Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan (CEFP) - (Action)					Attachment J
					Micah Whitlow and Phil Dobbins, Superintendent, Clay County Schools
				Policy 6200 requires all local boards of education to submit amendments to CEFPs to the WVBE and the School Building Authority of West Virginia (SBA) for approval. The Clay County Board of Education requests approval to revise its 2020-2030 CEFP to include the closure and merger of H. E. White Elementary and Lizemore Elementary into Clay Elementary. This change in Clay County Board of Education's CEFP is for planning only and is pending the completion and approval of the official closure procedures found in Policy 6204, School Closings or Consolidations. The pending closures are proposed to occur at the end of the 2023-2024 school year.
				Based on the information provided, it is recommended, and a motion is requested to approve the Clay County Board of Education's request to amend their 2020-2030 CEFP.
	B.			Clay County Board of Education: Closure of H.E. White Elementary, Closure of Lizemore Elementary, and Waiver of Policy 4336, West Virginia School Bus Transportation Regulations, Procedures, and Specifications for the Design and Equipment of School Buses - (Action)					Attachment K
					Micah Whitlow and Phil Dobbins, Superintendent, Clay County Schools
				The Clay County Board of Education respectfully requests approval for the closure and merger of H.E. White Elementary and Lizemore Elementary into the existing Clay Elementary. These closures are not contingent upon any other actions and are proposed to occur at the end of the 2023-2024 school year. This merger will ensure Clay County Schools is able to continue the delivery of a thorough and efficient education. Considering these closures, applicable West Virginia Board of Education policies were reviewed and followed, and documents were available for public inspection for the required time. Public hearings were held for H.E. White Elementary on November 2, 2023, Lizemore Elementary on November 6, 2023, and the receiving Clay Elementary on November 7, 2023. The Clay County Board of Education voted to approve these closures and merger at their board meeting on November 15, 2023. In addition, the Clay County Board of Education requests a waiver of Policy 4336 for creating bus routes that exceed by more than fifteen minutes the recommended 30-minute one-way transportation time for elementary students. Of the three routes proposed to transport H.E. White Elementary students to Clay Elementary, routes of 60 minutes and 45 minutes require the request of a waiver. Of the four routes proposed to transport Lizemore Elementary students to Clay Elementary, routes of 60, 67, 53, and 60 minutes require the request of a waiver.
				Based on the information provided, it is recommended, and a motion is requested to approve:
					1)		the closure of H.E. White Elementary School;
					2)		the closure of Lizemore Elementary School;
					3)		the merger of H.E. White Elementary School and Lizemore Elementary School into Clay Elementary School; and
					4)		the related Policy 4336 waiver request regarding transportation time.
	C.			Harrison County Board of Education: Closure of Norwood Elementary - (Action)					Attachment L
					Micah Whitlow and Dora Stutler, Superintendent, Harrison County Schools
				The Harrison County Board of Education respectfully requests approval for the closure of Norwood Elementary and its merger into the existing Simpson Elementary, Nutter Fort Primary, and Nutter Fort Intermediate. This closure is not contingent upon any other actions, and it is proposed to occur at the end of the 2023-2024 school year. This merger will ensure Harrison County Schools is able to continue the delivery of a thorough and efficient education. Considering this closure, applicable West Virginia Board of Education policies were reviewed and followed. Documents were available for public inspection for the required amount of time, and a closure hearing was held for Norwood Elementary on November 21, 2023. Hearings for the receiving schools Simpson Elementary, Nutter Fort Primary, and Nutter Fort Intermediate were held on November 20, 2023, and November 21, 2023, respectively. The Harrison County Board of Education voted to approve this closure and merger at their board meeting on November 21, 2023. In addition, the Harrison County Board of Education requests a waiver of Policy 4336 for creating two bus routes that will exceed the recommended duration of transportation time for elementary students.
				Based on the information provided, it is recommended, and a motion is requested to approve the closure of Norwood Elementary and the Policy 4336 waiver request regarding transportation time.
	D.			Lincoln County Board of Education: Closure of Ranger PreK-5 - (Action)					Attachment M
					Micah Whitlow and Frank Barnett, Superintendent, Lincoln County Schools
				The Lincoln County Board of Education respectfully requests approval for the closure of Ranger PreK-5 and its merger into the existing Harts PreK-8 and West Hamlin Elementary. This closure is not contingent upon any other actions, and it is proposed to occur at the end of the 2023-2024 school year. This merger will ensure Lincoln County Schools is able to continue the delivery of a thorough and efficient education. Considering this closure, applicable West Virginia Board of Education policies were reviewed and followed. Documents were available for public inspection for the required amount of time, and a closure hearing was held for Ranger PreK-5 on November 2, 2023. Hearings for the receiving schools, Harts PreK-8 and West Hamlin Elementary, were held on October 26, 2023, and October 30, 2023, respectively. The Lincoln County Board of Education voted to approve this closure and merger at their board meeting on November 7, 2023. In addition, the Lincoln County Board of Education requests a waiver of Policy 4336 for creating two bus routes that will exceed the recommended duration of transportation time for elementary students.
				Based on the information provided, it is recommended, and a motion is requested to approve the closure of Ranger PreK-5 and the Policy 4336 waiver request regarding transportation time.
	E.			Update:  Upshur County Schools Intervention - (Action)					Attachment Mc
					Jeffrey Kelley and Christine Miller, Superintendent, Upshur County Schools
				An update regarding progress toward addressing the findings and deficiencies outlined in the Upshur County Schools Special Circumstance Review Report and next steps will be provided.
				Discussion of this report may involve an Executive Session as provided in W. Va. Code §6-9A-4(b)(2)(A) [personnel exception] and/or §6-9A-4(b)(6), [privacy exception]. The Board majority must vote to have an Executive Session.
				It is recommended and a motion is requested to accept the report and approve required action steps to be taken by the Upshur County Schools Superintendent to address the deficiencies outlined in the Upshur County Schools Special Circumstance Review Report.
	F.			WVBE and WVDE Personnel Matters - (Action)
					L. Paul Hardesty
				WVBE personnel and/or legal matters may involve an Executive Session as provided in W. Va. Code §6-9A-4(b)(2)(A) [personnel exception] and/or §6-9A-4 [matters involving attorney‑client privilege per Peters v. County Commission, 205 W. Va. 481 (1999)]. The Board majority must vote to have an Executive Session. (No action will be taken in Executive Session.)
				It is recommended and a motion is requested to approve the WVBE personnel matters found in the attachment.					Attachment N
				It is recommended and a motion is requested to approve the WVDE personnel matters found in the attachment.					Attachment O
VIII.	WVDE Reports - (Information)
			●		Literacy and Numeracy
			●		WVDE Supports to Counties
IX.	WVBE Member Updates and Requests for Information - (Information)
		L. Paul Hardesty
X.	Future Meetings - (Information)
		L. Paul Hardesty
	The next regular meeting of the WVBE will be held January 10, 2024, in Charleston, West Virginia.
XI.	Adjournment - (Action)