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MINUTES
WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION
Capitol Building 6, Room 353
1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East
Charleston, West Virginia
June 8, 2016
I. Call to Order
Following the welcome, Pledge of Allegiance, and introductions, President Michael I. Green called the meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) to order at 12:19 p.m. on June 8, 2016, in Capitol Building 6, Room 353, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East, Charleston, West Virginia.
The following members were present: President Green, Vice President Lloyd G. Jackson II, Secretary Tina H. Combs, Thomas W. Campbell (via telephone), Beverly E. Kingery, F. Scott Rotruck, James S. Wilson, and William M. White. Members absent were Gayle C. Manchin and ex officios Michael J. Martirano, State Superintendent of Schools, Paul L. Hill, Chancellor, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, and Sarah Armstrong Tucker, Chancellor, West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education.
II. Delegations
Mr. John G. Hudson (distributed information), Superintendent, Boone County schools, addressed the Board regarding a supplemental appropriation for Boone County Schools. Mr. W. Brent Sturm (distributed information), Jobs for West Virginia Graduates, Inc., addressed the Board regarding the final report on the Class of 2015, and provided an update on the Class of 2016. Mr. Jason Webb, West Virginia Speech Pathologists, addressed the Board regarding Policy 5202. Mr. Scott Ingleton, citizen of Fayette County, addressed the Board regarding budget cuts. Ms. Norma Hurley, member of Gilmer County Board of Education, addressed the Board on the behalf of Gilmer County students regarding Energy Express. Mr. Dale Lee (submitted a petition on testing for the record), President, West Virginia Education Association, addressed the Board regarding assessment. (Copies appended to Official Minutes, Attachment S.)
III. Overview of National Accountability Landscape
Dr. Christy Hovanetz, Senior Policy Fellow, Foundation for Excellence in Education, provided an overview of the national accountability landscape. (PowerPoint presentation attached to Official Minutes, Attachment T.)
IV. Digital Literacy
Due to scheduling difficulties this presentation was deferred to July.
V. Technology Showcase
Mr. Sterling Beane Jr., Chief Officer, assisted by Mr. Dave Cartwright, Technology Infrastructure Manager, Division of Technology, provided a brief update regarding year two of Project Second Launch.
VI. Approval of Agenda
President Green called for a motion to approve the agenda. Dr. White moved, and Mr. Rotruck seconded, that the agenda be approved. Upon the call for the question the motion was carried unanimously.
VII. Consent Agenda
Prior to the motion to approve the Consent Agenda, a replacement attachment was distributed for Attachment B and Ms. Heather Hutchens, General Counsel to the WVDE, provided clarification regarding the replacement attachment (reductions in force were removed from the original attachment as funding for the positions has not been determined by the Legislature). President Green requested a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Ms. Kingery moved, and Dr. Wilson seconded, that the Consent Agenda be approved. Upon the call for the question the motion was carried unanimously. (Copies appended to Official Minutes, Attachments A through I and addendum.)
· Approved minutes of May 11, 2016 (Attachment A)
· Received WVDE personnel matters (Attachment B and addendum)
· Received Employment of Substitute Teachers in Areas of Critical Need affidavits for Kanawha County Schools
· Approved Kanawha, Jefferson, and Hancock Counties' request for the delay of adoption of instructional materials, and, 2) Marshall County's request to continue a waiver to allow for ongoing professional learning communities (AttachmentC)
· Approved 2016 summer school programs as found in the attachment (Attachment D)
· Received the annual report of waivers of WVBE policies and regulations, Superintendent's interpretations and state statutes and legislative rules (Attachment E)
· Received the annual report of Policy 4355, High School Diplomas for Veterans (Attachment F)
· Received the annual report of the James & Law Company (West Virginia's Instructional Materials Depository) (Attachment G)
· Approved the format of regional meetings as required by W. Va. Code §18226A (Attachment H)
· Approved the West Virginia School Board Association's 2016 Orientation Program (Attachment I).
VIII. Capacity Building for Priority Schools and Intervention Counties
No report was provided.
IX. 2016-2017 Cyclical Reviews for RESAs 2 and 5
Ms. Susan O'Brien, Director, Office of Education Performance Audits (OEPA), presented 20162017 Cyclical Reviews for RESAs 2 and 5 for the Board's consideration. Policy 2320, at Section 7.3.b. Cycle and Schedule, states, "At least every four years, all West Virginia school systems and each school within the school system participate in a cyclical on-site review. The on-site review is conducted by an external team of educational professionals managed through OEPA. The on-site reviews are scheduled according to RESA location, with all school systems within the RESA visited during the same cycle. Two RESAs will be visited each year during a regular four-year cycle. Schedules for conducting reviews are devised by the OEPA and approved by the WVBE. In addition to cyclical reviews, the WVBE may conduct special circumstance reviews pursuant to Section 13.5.c of this policy. The WVBE may at any time alter or adjust the cycle and schedule of on-site reviews."
Mr. Rotruck moved, and Dr. Wilson seconded, that the schedule for the 2016-2017 cyclical reviews for RESAs 2 and 5 be approved. Upon the call for the question the motion was carried unanimously. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment J.)
X. County Board of Education Embedded Credit Policies
Ms. Betty Jo Jordan, Executive Assistant to the State Superintendent, presented County Board of Education Embedded Credit Policies for the Board's consideration. Policy 2510, section 5.4.g.2.,states, “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 is embedded within a second course to receive credit for both courses. If these embedded credit courses are used to meet graduation requirements, the county policy and alignment documentation must be reviewed by the WVDE and approved by the WVBE.” The majority of policies received from county boards allow students to earn embedded credit for Transition Math for Seniors and/or Transition English for Seniors upon the successful completion of a career/technical concentration. The intent of such policies is that students complete the CTE concentration as seniors. However, upon initial implementation of embedded credit in 20152016, a significant number of students completed concentrations as juniors and a few as sophomores and had not yet taken the 11th grade WV General Summative Assessment. The attachment to this item sets forth a process to address the issue for students who earned embedded credit but did not meet/may not meet the 11th grade WV college- and career-readiness benchmarks, the revision of current policies, and future policy submissions.
Dr. Wilson moved, and Ms. Kingery seconded, that the process found in the attachment for correcting current, and the approval of future, county board embedded credit policies be approved. Upon the call for the question the motion was carried unanimously. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment K.) President Green requested that Policy 2320 be taken up later in the agenda.
XI. Policy 4110, Attendance
Ms. Hutchens presented Policy 4110 for the Board's consideration. Policy 4110 has been amended to reflect changes from the 2015 legislative session and to ensure accurate data collection regarding attendance of students. Fifty-seven (57) comments were received during the comment period resulting in no substantive changes to the policy.
Following discussion, Dr. White moved, and Mr. Rotruck seconded, that Policy 4110 be approved. Upon the call for the question the motion was carried unanimously. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment M.)
XII. Policy 2320, A Process for Improving Education:
Performance Based Accreditation System
Ms. Michele Blatt (distributed information), Chief Officer, Division of School Effectiveness, presented Policy 2320 for the Board's consideration. Policy 2320 has been amended following a 30 day comment period. A total of 437 comments, including many duplicates, were received during the comment period. Of those comments, 120were accepted and the policy was revised accordingly. The changes will finalize the multiple measures of the A-F Accountability System. Mr. Campbell joined (in person) the meeting.
Following discussion, Mr. Jackson moved, and Mr. Rotruck seconded, that Policy 2320, as amended, be approved. Upon the call for the question the motion was carried unanimously. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment L-1 and L-2 and addendum.)
XIII. Break
President Green called for a break at 2:24 p.m.
XIV. Call to Order
President Green called the meeting back to order at 2:48 p.m.
XV. Policy 2520.4, West Virginia College- and
Career-Readiness Standards for Social Studies
Mr. Clayton Burch, Chief Officer, Division of Teaching and Learning, presented Policy 2520.4 for the Board's consideration. The repeal and replacement of Policy 2520.4, Next Generation Content Standards and Objectives for Social Studies in West Virginia Schools with the West Virginia College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Social Studies is recommended. This replacement allows for the removal of the performance descriptors and Common Core Literacy Standards. There are no major changes to the social studies content of the current courses. A new numbering system and the addition of grade band indicators will allow parents and teacher to guide and monitor progress. Three high school courses were added to provide more offerings to students with no prescribed high school course sequence. Investigation of postsecondary education and workforce preparedness skills have been added to the personal finance standards in Civics. This policy includes content standards that reflect a rigorous, challenging and focused curriculum. Policy 2520.4 provides a focus for teachers to teach and students to learn those skills and competencies essential for future success in the workplace and further education. Additionally the policy will allow students the options of a new US History Comprehensive course along with courses in Sociology and Psychology.
Following discussion, Dr. White moved, and Mr. Jackson seconded, that Policy 2520.4 be approved. Upon the call for the question the motion was carried unanimously. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment Mc.)
XVI. New Data Collection: FitnessGram Assessment Components (Optional Collection)
Mr. Burch presented a new data collection: FitnessGram Assessment Components (Optional Collection) for the Board's consideration. Following a consideration of the accuracy, efficiency, and security of data collection for the required FitnessGram assessment, the WVDE Division of Teaching and Learning determined that an additional data collection tool is needed within WVEIS to improve the quality and security of the assessment data and to provide for the possibility of individualized reporting of the assessment results. The Office of Middle and Secondary Learning proposes developing a new, optional district-maintained data collection to record student-level performance on the FitnessGram assessment. The information will ensure that data for the required fitness assessment are stored securely in local electronic files that provide enhanced opportunities for individualized reporting for students and parents.
Following discussion, Mr. Jackson moved, and Mr. Rotruck seconded, that new data collection be placed on public comment for 60 days. Upon the call for the question the motion was carried unanimously. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment N.)
XVII. Policy 5100, Approval of Educator Preparation Programs
Dr. Cindy Daniel, Deputy Superintendent, introduced Mr. Robert Hagerman, Assistant Director, WVDE Office of Educator Effectiveness and Licensure, who presented Policy 5100 for the Board's consideration. Policy 5100 was placed on public comment for a period of thirty (30) days. During this comment period, 90 comments were received which included comments to several sections that had multiple individuals listed. As a result of these comments, four (4) revisions and several typographical and formatting edits were made to the policy and are included in the attachment. The major function of Policy 5100 is to provide guidelines and procedures for new and continuing educator preparation programs of study leading to licensure in West Virginia. 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.
Following discussion, Mr. Rotruck moved, and Dr. Wilson seconded, that Policy 5100, as amended, be approved. Upon the call for the question the motion was carried unanimously. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment O-1 and O-2.)
XVIII. Policy 5202, Minimum Requirements for the Licensure of
Professional/ Paraprofessional Personnel and Advanced Salary Classifications Ms. O'Brien stated that an executive session, as provided in W. Va. Code §69A4(b)(2)(A) [personnel exception], was needed regarding the Gilmer County follow up audit.
Mr. Hagerman presented Policy 5202 for the Board's consideration. Policy 5202 has been revised to clarify language to ensure the intent of the policy. On April 16, 2016, the suggested revisions were voted to be placed on public comment for a period of 30 days. During the 30 day comment period, 167 comments were received and of those 167 comments, 87 were duplicated by one person throughout different sections of the policy which left a total of 80 actual comments. As a result of the comments received, and through consultation with the Policy 5202 Advisory Committee, there was one modification made.
Following discussion, Mr. Jackson moved, and Dr. White seconded, that Policy 5202, as amended, be approved. Upon the call for the question the motion was carried unanimously. (Copy appended to Official Minutes, Attachment P-1 and P-2.)
XIX. County Board Member Training Standards Review Committee
President Green requested a motion to reappoint, to terms ending June 30, 2017, Beverly E. Kingery, Tina H. Combs, and James S. Wilson, to the County Board Member Training Standards Review Committee.
Mr. Campbell moved, and Mr. Jackson seconded, that Beverly E. Kingery, Tina H. Combs, and James S. Wilson, be reappointed (terms ending June 30, 2017) to the County Board Member Training Standards Review Committee. Upon the call for the question the motion was carried unanimously.
President Green requested that item K. WVBE Personnel Matters including Annual Performance of Evaluations of WVBE Employees be taken up noting that the State Superintendent's evaluation has been deferred to a future meeting and that action, if any required as a result of the evaluations, would be announced either upon return from executive session or following the meeting's reconvening on June 9.