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MINUTES
WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION
Board Conference Room
Capitol Building 6, Room 353
1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East
Charleston, West Virginia
April 10, 2013
I. Call to Order
Following the welcome, introductions and Pledge of Allegiance, President L. Wade Linger Jr. called the meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) to order at 9:40 a.m. on April 10, 2013, in the Board Conference Room, Capitol Building 6, Room 353, Charleston, West Virginia.
The following members were present: President Linger, Vice President Gayle C. Manchin, Secretary Robert W. Dunlevy, Tina H. Combs, Thomas W. Campbell, Michael I. Green, Lloyd G. Jackson II, and William M. White, and ex officios James B. Phares, State Superintendent of Schools, and Paul L. Hill, Chancellor, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. Member absent was ex officio James L. Skidmore, Chancellor, West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education. Also present was student representative Aishwarya Saluja of Falling Waters, West Virginia, who attends Hedgesville High School (Berkeley County).
II. Recognition - Paul J. Morris Character Educator of the Year
President Linger provided a brief overview of the Paul J. Morris Character Educator of the Year award and called upon Ms. Shelly Stalnaker, Coordinator, WVDE Office of Optional Educational Pathways, who introduced the recipient of the 2013 Paul J. Morris Character Educator of the Year Award, Ms. Diana Lynn Sutherland, special education teacher at Mineral County Alternative School.
III. Delegations
Mr. Mike Kelly, Principal, Herbert Hoover High School (Kanawha County), addressed the Board and introduced the new Executive Director of the West Virginia Secondary School Principals Association, Mr. Bill Walton. Mr. Leon Ivey (distributed information), member of the Fayette County Board of Education, and Ms. Michelle Bennett and Ms. Carolyn Arritt, citizens of Fayette County, addressed the Board regarding Fayette County education concerns. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment U.)
IV. Approval of Agenda
President Linger requested a motion to approve the agenda. Mr. Dunlevy moved that the agenda be approved. Dr. White seconded the motion and upon the call for the question the motion was carried unanimously.
V. Governor's Education Agenda inclusive of Discussion of Appointment
of Members to the WVBE Commission on School District
Governance and Efficiencies
President Linger, assisted by Ms. Donna Hoylman Peduto (distributed information), WVBE Director of Operations, provided an update regarding the key provisions of the Governor's requests of the Board to create efficiencies/Commission of School District Governance and Efficiencies, teacher certification/professional development to support reading on grade level by the end of the third grade, investigate Project 24, SREB's Preparation for Tomorrow, and utilize cross counseling. Mr. Campbell provided an update regarding the appointment of members to the Board's Commission on School District Governance and Efficiencies. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment V.)
VI. Policy Development and Studies to be undertaken in
Response Governor's Education Legislation
Ms. Peduto provided brief remarks regarding two studies (alternative certification and planning periods) that must be undertaken as a result of legislation. Superintendent Phares (distributed information) provided information regarding legislative directives regarding hiring practices, professional development programs, college and career readiness, student assessment for all grades, kindergarten aide certification, school calendar, leadership capacity development, and additional areas of accountability, and provided an update regarding the Flexibility Waiver and a student longitudinal data system. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment W.)
VII. Director’s Information
Dr. Gus Penix, Director of the Office of Education Performance Audits (OEPA), provided an update regarding the revision of the accountability system, addition of OEPA staff, and timeline for the revision of Policy 2320.
VIII. Individual School Education Performance Audit Reports
and Revised Five-Year Strategic Plans for
Back Creek Valley Elementary School, Bedington Elementary School,
Gerrardstown Elementary School, and Marlowe Elementary School, Berkeley County
Dr. Penix stated that announced on-site reviews (five days in advance) were conducted at Back Creek Valley Elementary School, Bedington Elementary School, Gerrardstown Elementary School, and Marlowe Elementary School February 12-14, 2013. The reports were presented to the superintendent and the principals. The System of School Support immediately initiated assistance to the schools and county in revising the strategic plans and correcting deficiencies reported by the Education Performance Audit. This item includes the Education Performance Audit Reports and corresponding corrective actions contained in the revised strategic plans.
Upon the recommendation of Dr. Penix, Mr. Jackson moved that Back Creek Valley Elementary School, Bedington Elementary School, Gerrardstown Elementary School, and Marlowe Elementary School, Berkeley County, correct the findings noted in the reports by the next accreditation cycle. Mrs. Manchin seconded the motion and upon the call for the question the motion was carried unanimously. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment A.)
IX. Break
President Linger called for a break for lunch at 11:30 a.m.
X. Call to Order
President Linger called the meeting back to order at 12:22 p.m. Chancellor Hill departed the meeting.
XI. Capacity Building for Low Performing Schools, Intervention Counties
and the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (WVSDB)
Ms. Michele Blatt, Executive Director, WVDE Office of School Improvement, and Mr. Ted Mattern, System Support Liaison, Office of the State Superintendent, provided information regarding capacity building for a number of low performing schools and the intervention counties. (Copies appended to Official Minutes, Attachments B-1 through B-6.)
XII. Consent Agenda
Mrs. Manchin 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 M.)
· Issued Alum Bridge Elementary School Full Accreditation status (AttachmentC)
· Issued Fred W. Eberle Technical Center Full Accreditation status (AttachmentD)
· Approved meeting minutes of March13, 2013 (Attachment E)
· Approved Employment of Substitute Teachers in Areas of Critical Need policies for Boone, Harrison and Summers County Schools (Attachment F)
· Received information regarding WVDE Personnel Matters (Attachment G and addendum)
· Approved content standards and objectives developed for nine elective courses to be offered in Mingo County high schools (AttachmentH)
· Approved Policy 3235, Definition of Good Cause for Failure to Receive School Board Training to be effective July 1, 2013 (Attachment I)
· Approved Policy 4336, West Virginia School Bus Transportation Policy and Procedures Manual to be effective July 1, 2013 (Attachment J)
· Approved Policy 5301, College Hours or Comparable Training in a Trade or Vocational School (Attachment K)
· Approved Policy 5314.01, Autism Mentor (Attachment L)
· Approved Policy 2444.4, Issuance of the West Virginia High School Equivalency Diploma for placement on public comment for 30 days Attachment M)
· Approved 2012-2013 WESTEST 2 Testing Window as May 6-24, 2013.
XIII. Reapproval of Initial Teacher Preparation Licensure Programs
Aligned to the West Virginia Professional Teaching Standards (WVPTS)
and International Society for Technology (ISTE) in Education Standards
Dr. Amelia Courts, Assistant State Superintendent, Division of Educator Quality and System Support, and Ms. Lisa Hedrick, Executive Director, WVDE Office of Professional Preparation, presented the realigned initial teacher preparation programs of Alderson Broaddus College, Concord University, Davis and Elkins College, Glenville State College, and West Virginia Wesleyan College for the Board's consideration. The twenty institutions of higher education with state-approved teacher preparation programs have completed a self-study and have realigned initial teacher preparation programs to the WVPTS and ISTE standards, as specified in Policy 5100. Peer review teams have recommended to the Educator Preparation Program Review Board (EPPRB) that the programs be recommended for reapproval based upon verification that the professional education course objectives reflect alignment to the WVPTS and ISTE and that the institutions have an assessment plan, aligned to the WVPTS, for collecting data around teacher candidate performance. The EPPRB has approved the initial teacher preparation programs based upon the findings of the review team for Alderson Broaddus College, Concord University, Davis and Elkins College, Glenville State College, and West Virginia Wesleyan College.
Mrs. Manchin moved that the realigned initial teacher preparation programs of Alderson Broaddus College, Concord University, Davis and Elkins College, Glenville State College, and West Virginia Wesleyan College be approved. Prior to the vote Mr. Jackson recused himself from voting. Mr. Dunlevy seconded the motion and upon the call for the question the motion was carried unanimously. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachments Mc.)
XII. Policy 5310, Performance Evaluation of School Personnel
Dr. Courts and Ms. Hedrick presented Policy 5310 for the Board's consideration. Policy 5310 is being repealed and replaced with language for implementation of the revised educator evaluation system as required by HB 4236, which was enacted during the 2012 Legislative Session. The revised educator evaluation system promotes professional growth and development that advances student learning in West Virginia schools; defines and promotes high standards for performance of professional personnel; provides data that indicate the effectiveness of professional personnel, as well as data for educator preparation programs to identify areas of need and guide program improvement; and, establishes county and school evaluation data that serve as a basis for professional development that specifically targets the area(s) identified for professional growth.
Mr. Dunlevy moved that Policy 5310 be placed on public comment for 30 days. Mr. Green seconded the motion and upon the call for the question the motion was carried unanimously. Mr. Jackson exited the meeting. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment N.)
XIII. Approval for Preston County Board of Education to
Sell ¾ Acre Tract at Public Auction
Ms. Heather Hutchens Deskins, General Counsel to the WVBE and WVDE, requested the Board take action to resolve a real estate boundary problem that has occurred regarding a small piece of property owned by the Preston County Board of Education but not used for educational purposes.
Mrs. Manchin moved approval for the public auction of a small lot owned but unused by Preston County Board of Education. Mrs. Combs seconded the motion and upon the call for the question the motion was carried unanimously. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment O.)
XIV. West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind
Lease Agreement with the West Virginia Department of Highways
Ms. Deskins presented a lease agreement between the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind and West Virginia Department of Highways for the Board's consideration. The West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind will lease two old West Virginia Department of Highways structures for $1 per year for five years to use as a bus garage. Its mechanic currently works on their buses outdoors. The West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind will make minor improvements, such as lighting, and carry the structures on its Board of Risk and Insurance Management policy.
Dr. White moved that the Superintendent of the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind be allowed to enter into a lease agreement with the West Virginia Department of Highways to lease two structures for use as a bus garage. Mrs. Combs seconded the motion and upon the call for the question the motion was carried unanimously. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment P.)
XV. Fayette County Board of Education
Refinance of Energy Performance Lease Purchase Agreement Ms. Deskins presented
Ms. Deskins presented a Fayette County Board of Education resolution for refinancing the of energy performance lease purchase agreement for the Board's consideration. Fayette County is considering refinancing its Lease-Purchase Agreement for the Energy Savings Performance Contract with the same financial entity, Crews & Associates, to take advantage of lower interest rates if Crews can arrange financing that will result in a 3% net savings to the county. All parties concerned are awaiting the results of an independent audit of the program due in May. This resolution authorizes the county and Crews to move forward with refinancing; however, it does not commit Fayette to complete the transaction. The advantage of the Board adopting the Resolution now is that it allows the parties the ability to consummate the transaction with current interest rates, rather than having to wait until there is another Board meeting. Mr. Jackson returned to the meeting.
Mr. Green moved that the resolution authorizing a lease purchase agreement for refinancing the acquisition of certain energy conservation means and other improvements; authorizing the further issuance of custodial receipts or similar securities representing factional undivided interests in the rental payments payable under the lease purchase agreement; designating the lease purchase agreement (and the certification representing interests therein) as a qualified tax exempt obligation, and authorizing and prescribing other matters related thereto be adopted. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and upon the call for the question the motion was carried unanimously. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment Q.)
XVI. WVBE Disciplinary/Suspension/Termination
Hearing Procedures for the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind
Ms. Deskins presented WVBE disciplinary/suspension/termination hearing procedures for the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind for the Board's consideration. Approval of a hearing procedure is requested which will allow the WVBE to appoint a hearing officer to hear cases that may come before the WVBE from its supervisory responsibilities over the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind personnel as provided in W. Va. Code. Recommendations and findings of fact from the hearing would be provided by the hearing officer to the WVBE for consideration and action.
Mrs. Manchin moved that the WVBE disciplinary/suspension/termination hearing procedures for the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind be approved. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and upon the call for the question the motion was carried unanimously. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment R.)
XVII. WVBE Personnel
President Linger called for a motion to approve the Board's personnel attachment. Mr. Dunlevy moved that the Board's personnel attachment be approved. Mrs. Combs seconded the motion and upon the call for the question the motion was carried unanimously. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment S.)
XVIII. Board Items for Future Consideration
President Linger requested that items mentioned during the meeting be placed on the appropriate agenda. Mr. Jackson requested the Board investigate the hiring of retirees in areas of critical need and shortage. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment T.)