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MINUTES
WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION
Capitol Building 6, Room 353
1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East
Charleston, West Virginia
May 13, 2015
I. Call to Order
Following the welcome, Pledge of Allegiance and introductions, Vice President Michael I. Green called the meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) to order at 10:01 a.m. on May 13, 2015, in Capitol Building 6, Room 353, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East, Charleston, West Virginia.
The following members were present: Vice President Green, Secretary Tina H. Combs, Thomas W. Campbell (via telephone), Beverly E. Kingery, L. Wade Linger Jr. (via telephone), William M. White, and James S. Wilson, and ex officio Paul L. Hill, Chancellor, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. Members absent were: President Gayle C. Manchin and Lloyd G. Jackson II and ex officios Michael J. Martirano, State Superintendent of Schools, and James L. Skidmore, Chancellor, West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education. Charles K. Heinlein, Deputy Superintendent of Schools, represented Superintendent Martirano during the meeting.
II. Approval of Agenda
Vice President Green requested the agenda be approved. Dr. White moved that the agenda be approved. Mrs. Combs seconded the motion and upon the call for the question the motion was carried unanimously.
III. Recognitions
The Board recognized: 1) Ms. Janet Allio, Kanawha County (school nurse at Mary C. Snow/Westside and Piedmont Elementary Schools), as the 2015 School Nurse of the Year, and 2) the West Virginia Pre-K Steering Team: Ms. Melissa Smith, Early Care and Education Specialist, WVDHHR Bureau for Children and Families, Ms. Janet Bock-Hager, WV Universal Pre-K Coordinator, WVDE Office of Early Learning, Ms. Ginger Huffman, Coordinator, Pre-K Special Needs, WVDE Office of Special Programs, and Ms. Traci Dalton, WV Head Start, State Collaboration Director.
IV. Real World Learning
Vice President Green, assisted by Mr. Sterling Beane, Chief Officer, Division of Technology, welcomed Doddridge County Middle School and presented information regarding the school's one-to-one tablet computer initiative. Mr. Rick Coffman, Superintendent, and Darren McCullough, Technology Director, Doddridge County Schools, provided an overview of technology initiatives in Doddridge County. Doddridge County Middle School is providing an Android based tablet computer to every student and every teacher. These tablets are used as a learning resource in every classroom. Teachers at Doddridge County work collaboratively to develop teaching and classroom management strategies that harness the use of technology. Students benefit from this initiative academically by having relevant technology in their hands and a world of information at their fingertips. This year, the social studies textbook is in interactive form and is stored on the tablet. Mr. Beane recognized Mr. Mark Moore and Mr. Josh Ratliff, Coordinators, WVDE Office of Instructional Technology, for their assistance in producing the real world learning segment for WVBE meetings.
V. Literacy and Mathematics Design Collaboratives
Dr. Gene Bottoms (distributed information), Senior Vice President, Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), presented SREB's Literacy and Mathematics Design Collaboratives for the Board's information. SREB is using a new approach to professional development to bring powerful teaching and learning tools into classrooms schoolwide, districtwide and statewide. Literacy Design Collaborative (LDC) and Mathematics Design Collaborative (MDC) help students reach the deep learning necessary to master college- and career-readiness standards. These frameworks give teachers a way to build lessons that engage students to read, think about and write about challenging texts in all disciplines. In math, students learn the why as well as the how by developing their math reasoning and problem-solving skills. Students struggle productively and learn more; in essence, teaching is shifted so that students take ownership of their learning and perform at higher levels. (Copies appended to Official Minutes, Attachments A-1 and A-2 and addendum.)
At the close of his presentation, Dr. Bottoms, on behalf of SREB, requested the WVBE express that the improvement of college and career readiness standards in literacy and mathematics is one of West Virginia's top priorities; encourage RESA and school participation in this important work; and that SREB and its partners be allowed to report to WVBE annually on the work. Vice President Green thanked Dr. Bottoms and invited him/SREB to present at WVBE meetings.
VI. Entrepreneurship Education
Vice President Green, Dr. Kathy D'Antoni (distributed information), Chief Officer, Division of Career and Technical Education, Dr. Gene Coulson, Executive Director (distributed information), Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education, Mr. Larry Malone, Director of Policy, Office of the Governor, and Mr. Cory Dennison, President, Vision Shared, presented information regarding entrepreneurship education and workforce preparedness efforts. (Copies appended to Official Minutes, Attachment Mc.) Vice President Green recognized Ms. Liz Adams, student at Wirt County High School, winner of the Second Annual Statewide High School Business Plan Competition and her teacher Ms. Deborah Hartshorn. Also in attendance in support Ms. Adams and Ms. Hartshorn was Ms. MaryJane Pope Albin, Superintendent, Wirt County Schools.
VII. Delegations
Ms. Liza Cordeiro, Executive Director, WVDE Office of Communications, announced that all individuals wishing to address the Board as a delegation would be given two minutes. Mr. Trent Sherman, Martinsburg High School, addressed the Board regarding the proposed amendment of WVSSAC Series 3, particularly out-of-season coaching; Mr. Herman L. Mays Jr. (provided information for the record), Department of Biological Sciences, Marshall University, regarding the Next Generation Science Standards and climate change (read letter on the behalf of Climate Parents); Ms. Jason Crouch, citizen of Fayette County, regarding Fayette County and requested support of the middle grade years; Ms. Patsy Holliday, member, Fayette County Board of Education, regarding the principal position at Meadow Bridge High School; Mr. Joe Rossel, citizen of Fayette County, regarding the Fayette County bond and the inclusion of Meadow Bridge High School; and, Ms. Carolyn Arritt, citizen of Fayette County, regarding Fayette County. (Copies appended to Official Minutes, Attachment N.)
VIII. Chancellor Reports
Vice President Green requested, with the Board's permission, that the Chancellor Reports be taken up prior to breaking for lunch. Chancellor Hill thanked President Manchin and Mr. Jackson for their attendance at a recent meeting of the Higher Education Policy Commission and stated that the cross agency sharing is most beneficial.
IX. Break
Vice President Green called for a break for lunch at 12:10 p.m. and stated that the meeting would reconvene at 12:45 p.m. Chancellor Hill departed the meeting.
X. Reconvene
Vice President Green called the meeting back to order at 12:45 p.m.
XI. Update - WVBE Actions for Improved Outcomes
Ms. Donna Hoylman Peduto (distributed information), WVBE Director of Operations, provided an update regarding actions taken by the Board to improve educational outcomes. Mr. Clayton Burch, Chief Officer, Division of Teaching and Learning, provided additional information regarding grade level reading. Dr. White requested that a report be provided next month regarding school calendars. (Copies appended to Official Minutes, Attachment O.)
WVBE Finance Committee. Mr. Campbell provided an update on behalf of the Finance Committee regarding counties on the fund balance watch list and reported that two counties (Calhoun and Clay) appear to be the only counties that will be in deficit on June 30.
XII. Superintendent's Report (Continued)
Deputy Superintendent Heinlein (distributed information) provided: testing recap regarding the West Virginia Summative Assessment; information regarding two of pilots currently underway regarding alternative learning programs; and visited Hometown Elementary's Leader in Me (leadership education initiative) event. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment P.)
XIII. WVBE Coordinator of Board Agencies Report
Mr. Jason L. Butcher, WVBE Coordinator of Board Agencies, provided an update regarding his work in conjunction with WVBE agencies inclusive of the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, WVDE Office of Institutional Education Programs, Office of Education Performance Audits, and RESAs.
XIV. WVBE Regional Education Service Agency (RESA) Liaison Report
Dr. Robin Lewis, Executive Director, RESA 1, provided a report on behalf of the RESAs.
XV. Capacity Building for Priority Schools, Intervention Counties,
and West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind
Ms. Michele Blatt (distributed information), Chief Officer, Division of Accountability and Performance for School Effectiveness, and Mr. Ted Mattern, System Support Liaison, Office of the State Superintendent, provided information regarding support services provided to priority schools and intervention counties. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment C and addendum.)
Gilmer County Schools Update. Mr. Gabe Devono, Superintendent, Gilmer County Schools, and Dr. William Simmons, President, Gilmer County Board of Education, provided an update regarding school construction. Superintendent Devono reported that team building activities with students and faculties are occurring, have submitted an MIP Project to the School Building Authority, and that Leading Creek School (inter-county school - Lewis and Gilmer) is to open for the 2015-2016 school year and that staff development and open houses are occurring. Dr. Simmons addressed the Board regarding Leading Creek School and requested the school be named a model for change. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment D.)
West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (WVSDB) Response to Governor's Direction to the WVBE. Dr. Lynn Boyer, Superintendent, WVSDB, provided an update regarding work that has been undertaken in assisting the WVBE in developing a response to the Governor's direction to the WVBE in his veto of two bills that would have provided funding to the WVSDB. The State Superintendent's study of the WVSDB should be forthcoming within the next couple of months for the Board's consideration.
XVI. Office of Education Performance Audits (OEPA)
Director’s Information
Ms. Susan O'Brien, Director, Office of Education Performance Audits, reported that first year baseline visits have been completed in RESAs 2, 5, 6 and 7, and that planning and professional development for OEPA is scheduled for May 18-21.
XVII. Initial On-Site Reviews for Schools Located in RESA 5
Ms. O'Brien presented the Initial On-Site Reviews for Schools Located in RESA 5 for the Board's consideration. The Legislature amended and reenacted W. Va. Code §18-2E-5, by Senate Bill 359, which led to the WVBE repeal and replacement of Policy 2320, A Process for Improving Education: Performance Based Accreditation System. The primary focus of the new accreditation process is providing feedback on practices and processes that correlate with high student success and improvement and continuous improvement of all schools. Policy and Code compliance are also monitored. In response to Policy 2320 (effective July 1, 2014) and the direction of the WVBE, the OEPA instituted Initial On-Site Reviews of the High Quality Process Standards in all West Virginia public schools during the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school years. Beginning with school year 2016-2017, the OEPA will conduct on-site reviews of each school in the state once every four years.
Ms. O'Brien reported that all public schools in the eight school systems located in RESA 5 (Calhoun, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Tyler, Wirt, and Wood counties) participated in on-site reviews during March 2015 (http://oepa.state.wv.us/documents/RESA5/sobrienRptsRESA5.pdf).
Dr. Wilson moved that the individual school reports be approved and any school in which a function rating was lowered to emerging or unsatisfactory or policy or Code was found non‑compliant be required to revise the strategic plan within 30 days and begin corrective action. Ms. Kingery seconded the motion and upon the call for the question the motion was carried unanimously. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment B.)
XVIII. Consent Agenda
Vice President Green requested a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Mrs. Combs moved that the Consent Agenda be approved. Dr. White seconded the motion and upon the call for the question the motion was carried unanimously. (Copies appended to Official Minutes, Attachments C through F.)
· Approved minutes of April 8, 2015 (Attachment C)
· Received WVDE personnel matters (Attachment D)
· Approved two first time waiver requests of WVBE policies (Attachment E)
· Approved Employment of Substitute Teachers in Areas of Critical Need policies for five county boards of education (Attachment F).
XIX. West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC)
Series 2, 3 and 4
Mr. Ray Londeree, Assistant Executive Director, WVSSAC presented Series 2, 3 and 4 for the Board's consideration. Mr. Londeree presented seven proposals to the Board for consideration: 1) to allow schools to maintain a freshman team, but play a junior varsity football team without losing eligibility; 2) to limit participation to a bona fide move of at least one county away to help limit the number of transfers based solely upon athletic participation; 3) to clarify current rule; 4) to enhance the development of athletes within the state of West Virginia by allowing certified high school and middle school coaches work with them year round; 5) to align rule 127-3-9.6.c with current testing procedure; 6) to allow schools to maintain a freshman team, but play a junior varsity football team without losing eligibility; and, 7) to clarify current rules and bring the rule in line with a West Virginia Supreme Court decision.
Mrs. Combs moved that Series 2, 3 and 4 be placed on public comment for 30 days. Dr. Wilson seconded the motion and upon the call for the question the motion was carried with five members voting yes and two members, Dr. White and Ms. Kingery, voting no. (Copies appended to Official Minutes, Attachments G-1, G-2 and G-3.)
XX. Approval of Local Board of Education Policies for Embedded Credit
Ms. Betty Jo Jordan, Executive Assistant to the State Superintendent, presented local board of education policy for embedded credit for the Board's consideration. Policy 2510 states at section 5.4.f.1.B, “County boards of education are encouraged to establish policy which permits a student who masters the approved content standards for a credit bearing high school course that are embedded within a second course to receive credit for both courses.” If these embedded courses are used to meet graduation requirements, the county policy must be reviewed by the WVDE and approved by the WVBE.
Ms. Jordan reported that 25 counties and the Office of Institutional Education Programs submitted local policies and required documents for embedded credit courses. The policies and course documents have been reviewed by WVDE staff to ensure alignment with appropriate Next Generation content standards. Copies of the local policies and documents may be viewed at county-dual-and-embedded-credit-policies.
Dr. White moved that embedded credit policies for Barbour, Boone, Brooke, Cabell, Calhoun, Fayette, Hancock, Kanawha, Lewis, Marshall, Mason, Mercer, Monongalia, Monroe, Nicholas, Pendleton, Pleasants, Putnam, Raleigh, Randolph, Ritchie, Tyler, Upshur, Wetzel, and Wood counties, as well as the Office of Institutional Education Programs, be approved. Ms. Kingery seconded the motion and upon the call for the question the motion was carried unanimously.