AGENDA

WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION

Capitol Building 6, Suite 600

1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East

Charleston, West Virginia

April 9, 2024 - 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.

Recognitions

 

 

►

2023 West Virginia Milken Educator

 

 

 

Stephanie Bishop, Vice President, Milken Educator Awards

Michele L. Blatt, State Superintendent of Schools

 

 

►

West Virginia Common Ground Partnership Updates and the Month of the Military Child (Purple Up Month)

 

 

 

 

Robert Mellace

 

 

 

 

 

IV.

Delegation(s)

 

 

 

 

V.

School Safety - (Information)

 

 

 

Jonah Adkins

 

 

 

 

VI.

County Technical Assistance Updates - (Information)

 

 

 

Jeffrey Kelley

 

 

 

 

VII.

Consent Agenda - (Action)

 

 

 

 

 

A.

Approval of Minutes - (Action)

Attachment A

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is recommended that the minutes of the March 13, 2024, 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,  Hancock County has submitted a policy for the WVBE’s approval.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                          

 

 

 

 

It is recommended that the Employment of Substitute Teachers in Areas of Critical Need and Shortage policy for Hancock County be approved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Employment of Substitute Teachers and Bus Operators in Areas of Critical Need and Shortage Affidavits - (Action)

Attachment C

 

 

 

 

Lara Bissett

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pursuant to W. Va. Code §18A-2-3(c)(2)(G) and §18A-4-15a(b)(2)(F), affidavits from counties must be received and approved by the WVBE for submission to the Consolidated Public Retirement Board.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WVDE legal counsel has reviewed and recommends that the affidavits listed in the attachment be received and approved for submission to the Consolidated Public Retirement Board   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

Waivers of WVBE Policies and Regulations, Superintendent's Interpretations, State Statutes, and Legislative Rules - (Action)

Attachment D

 

 

 

 

Joey Wiseman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harrison County has requested a first-time waiver of Policy 2510, Appendix B: Training Required in Policy 2510, related to professional development for Advanced Placement® (AP®) teachers.  Harrison County’s waiver request is for a teacher of AP® Calculus AB-BC and AP® Statistics at Bridgeport High School during school year 2024-2025.  Due to scheduling, the teacher will only be able to complete AP® Calculus AB-BC training this summer.  

 

The waiver and waiver criteria have been reviewed by WVDE staff and, if granted, will provide students at Bridgeport High School access to an AP® Statistics course during school year 2024‑25.  The teacher will be required to attend Summer 2025 AP® training to continue teaching AP® Statistics in future years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Amendment/Facility Improvements - Cabell County Board of Education 2020-2030 Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan (CEFP) - (Action)

Attachment E

 

 

 

 

Micah Whitlow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 Cabell County Board of Education requests approval to reprioritize and add to its current project priority list. It is proposed that a new school for Ona Elementary become the top priority in the county and that multiple HVAC replacements across the school district be moved up. Projects proposed to be added to the CEFP are an emergency access road at Huntington High, green space at Huntington East Middle, restroom renovations at both high schools, and turf for the softball and baseball fields at both high schools. The projects are planned to be funded through local funds and a grant(s) from the SBA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is recommended that the Cabell County Board of Education's request to amend their 2020-2030 CEFP be approved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.

Amendment/Facility Improvements - Grant County Board of Education 2020-2030 Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan (CEFP) - (Action)

Attachment F

 

 

 

 

Micah Whitlow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 Grant County Board of Education requests approval to add additions and renovations at two schools to their priority list. Maysville Elementary School is proposed to receive a two-classroom addition, and Petersburg High School is proposed to receive a new secure front entrance, a new main office, renovations to the athletic entrance, and renovations to the existing main office. The projects are proposed to be funded through local funds and a grant(s) from the SBA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is recommended that the Grant County Board of Education's request to amend their 2020-2030 CEFP be approved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.

Wayne County Schools' Request to Extend the Expiration Date of the Previously Approved Closure and Consolidation of Buffalo Elementary and Buffalo Middle School - (Action)

Attachment G

 

 

 

 

Micah Whitlow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On April 15, 2021, the West Virginia State Board of Education (WVBE) approved the Wayne County Board of Education’s (WCBE) request to close and consolidate Buffalo Elementary School into Buffalo Middle School and create Buffalo PreK-8 school. These actions were contingent upon receiving funding from the School Building Authority of WV (SBA) to complete additions and renovations to the existing Buffalo Middle School.

 

Policy 6204 states that a State Board-approved school closure, pending funding from the SBA, is only valid for two years from the date of the WVBE approval.

 

In October of 2022, the WVBE accommodated a change in the SBA’s typical grant funding cycle and extended the expiration date of this approved closure from April 15, 2023, to December 31, 2023. Under standard procedures, the SBA’s fiscal year (FY) 2024 funding cycle was the last opportunity for the Buffalo PreK-8 project to be funded, and they were unsuccessful in their application.

 

Whereas the Governor has requested and the Legislature of West Virginia has enacted a bill making a supplemental appropriation of money to the SBA's FY-2024 School Construction Fund, the WCBE respectfully requests that the expiration date of the approved closure and consolidation of Buffalo Elementary into Buffalo Middle School be extended until such time as the SBA completes the award process for funds from the enacted FY-2024 supplemental appropriation to the School Construction Fund.

 

This extension would enable WCBE’s Buffalo PreK-8 project to be eligible for funding supplementally appropriated to the same fiscal year in which it was previously eligible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Based on the information provided, it is recommended that the expiration date of the approved closure and consolidation of Buffalo Elementary into Buffalo Middle School be extended until such time as the SBA completes the award process for funds from the enacted 2024 supplemental appropriation to the School Construction Fund.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.

Application for Approval of the New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning to Provide a Teacher Certification Program Pursuant to W. Va. Code §18A‑3‑2a(a)(1)(C) - (Action)

Attachment H

 

 

 

 

Traci Tuttle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning is seeking West Virginia Board of Education approval to provide a teacher certification program consisting of coursework substantially aligned to the InTASC standards as adequately pursuant to meeting requirements of W. Va. Code §18A‑3‑2a(a)(1)(C).  Upon approval, the New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning will recommend candidates for initial licensure with the endorsements of Biology 9-Adult, Chemistry 9-Adult, General Mathematics Through Algebra I 5-9, General Science 5-Adult, Mathematics 5-Adult, and Physics 9-Adult. Program completers must meet requirements of W. Va. Code and WVBE Policies by submitting qualifying documentation including verification of program completion, official transcript(s), test scores or exemptions found in the West Virginia Licensure Testing Directory and passing necessary background checks.  The goal of this program is to assist West Virginia in meeting critical needs by filling classrooms with qualified teachers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is recommended that the application for the New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning to provide a teacher certification program consisting of coursework substantially aligned to the InTASC standards be approved as adequate pursuant to meeting requirements of W. Va. Code §18A‑3‑2a(a)(1)(C).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.

Policy 2322, West Virginia System of Support and Accountability - (Action)

Attachment I

 

 

 

 

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 roles and responsibilities of Local School Improvement Councils were revised to reflect recent legislative action.  New additions to the policy include the streaming of local board of education meetings, posting a summary of the annual county board of education self-assessment to the district website, and county board member training requirements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is recommended that Policy 2322 be placed on public comment for 30 days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.

Policy 2444.4, Issuance of the State of West Virginia High School Diploma and the Administration of the West Virginia High School Equivalency Test, Option Pathway, and Mountaineer Challenge Academy Graduation Pathway - (Action)

Attachment J

 

 

 

 

Mendy Marshall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Policy 2444.4 is being amended to include the Mountaineer Challenge Academy, Mountaineer Challenge Job Program, and CIEL.  The policy will assist secondary administrators to better place students in programs that address their individual needs and opportunities for success.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is recommended that Policy 2444.4 be placed on public comment for 30 days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.

Policy 2520.4, West Virginia College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Social Studies - (Action)

Attachment K

 

 

 

 

Erika Klose

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Policy 2520.4 defines the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that students need to become college- and career-ready in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Revisions have been made for increased clarity and increased ability to personalize instruction for students as well as to honor educators’ professional autonomy in the selection of curriculum for study. Additionally, changes were made to adjust the civic standards to reflect the new personal finance stand-along course with the 2024-2025 freshmen cohort. The targeted effective date of Policy 2520.4 is July 1, 2025.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is recommended that Policy 2520.4 be placed on public comment for 30 days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.

Policy 2520.15, West Virginia Pre-K Standards (Ages 3‑5) - (Action)

Attachment L

 

 

 

 

Erika Klose

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Policy 2525.15 was last revised in 2017. Since that time, related state policies have been updated to illustrate more recent research regarding guiding principles and across content areas in pre-k standards, including mathematics. This revised policy provides stronger alignment with the kindergarten standards, as well as federal Head Start Child Outcomes, resulting in continuity of education for young children in the earliest grades. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is recommended that Policy 2520.4 be placed on public comment for 30 days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.

Policy 4373, Expected Behavior in Safe and Supportive Schools - (Action)

Attachment M

 

 

 

 

Drew McClanahan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Policy 4373 is being amended to provide clarifying language related to expectations, protocols, and best-practices. Changes include reporting requirements, behaviors related to specific levels, language supportive of  research-proven strategies, and supports for student success. With these changes, students should have a more impactful environment to learn and be successful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is recommended that Policy 4373 be placed on public comment for 30 days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13.

Policy 7212, Nonresident and Resident Student Transfers - (Action)

Attachment Mc

 

 

 

 

Margaret Williamson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Policy 7212 is being revised to add definitions and provide clarification for county school districts regarding nonresident and resident student transfers.  The proposed amendments are intended to address changes to the statute pertaining to transfers between counties and transfers within a county from a school in the student’s attendance zone to another school outside of the student’s attendance zone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is recommended that Policy 7212 be placed on public comment for 30 days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14.

Policy 8300, Safe Schools Funding Process - (Action)

Attachment N

 

 

 

 

Micah Whitlow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Policy 8300 establishes the process by which county boards of education, charter public schools, and multicounty vocational centers may submit requests for needs-based funding from the Safe Schools Fund and the criteria by which those requests shall be evaluated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is recommended that Policy 8300 be placed on public comment for 30 days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15.

West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Monthly Update - (Information)

Attachment O

 

 

 

 

Clayton Burch, Superintendent, West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind

 

 

 

 

 

 

VIII.

New Business

 

 

 

 

 

A.

Policy 2510, Assuring the Quality of Education:  Regulations for Education Programs - (Action)

Attachment P-1

Attachment P-2

 

 

 

Joey Wiseman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 public comment period ended on February 12 with 80 comments received resulting in minor changes to the policy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is recommended and a motion is requested that Policy 2510, as amended, be approved and effective July 1, 2024.

 

 

 

 

 

 

B.

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 Q

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is recommended and a motion is requested to approve the WVDE personnel matters found in the attachment.

Attachment R

 

 

 

IX.

WVDE Reports - (Information)

 

 

 

 

 

X.

WVBE Member Updates and Requests for Information - (Information)

 

 

 

L. Paul Hardesty

 

 

 

XI.

Future Meetings - (Information)

 

 

 

L. Paul Hardesty

 

 

 

 

The next regular meeting of the WVBE will be held May 8, 2024, in Charleston, West Virginia.

 

 

 

XII.

Adjournment - (Action)