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Board Minutes

June 16-17, 2003

Twin Oaks Resort, Bottineau, ND

The Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB) meeting was called to order by board chair, Amy Benz. Board members present were Pam Cronin, Christopher Douthit, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist.

ESPB personnel present were Lou Aronson, Deb Jensen, Loris Marcusen, Diane Weber and Janet Welk. Bill Peterson from the Attorney General's Office was available via conference call for board case discussion.

Board members Laura Carley, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad were unavailable for the board retreat meeting.

A motion was made by Marianna Malm to approve the May board minutes as written. Second by Chris Douthit. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Dean Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist.

The financial reports were made available to the board. The April financial statement revealed $31,967.28 in total revenue, $36,670.18 in total expenses, with a net loss of $5,682.90. The May financial statement revealed $85,319.86 in total revenue, $31,939.49 in total expenses, with a profit of 53,380.37. Reimbursement of $50,613.04 for the teacher quality grant was placed into the general ESPB checking account. A motion was made by Dean to approve the financial reports. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Dean
U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist.

The board set dates for future board meetings. August 13/14, September 11, October 16th, November 13th, December 11th, January 15th, February 12th March 11th, April 15th, May 13th and the board retreat June 21/22.

A motion was made by Marianna to support, in the amount of $2,000 for travel, per diem, lodging, etc., educators for National Board that would include those individuals who are not NDEA members. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who voted in agreement were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin,
Chris Douthit, Dean Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist.

The board voted to maintain the critical shortage areas in all content areas with the exception of physical education, elementary education and social studies.

The board discussed barriers to licensure while maintaining quality. It was decided administrative rules 67.1-02-04 should be changed to reflect present practice. A committee was formed to review laws and present practice. The committee will consist of Neil Nordquist, Chris Douthit, Bill Peterson, Pam
Cronin and Laura Carley.

Dean U. Koppelman will review the job description and evaluation form of the executive director and bring recommendations to the next board meeting. Marianna made a motion to give Diane a raise to $28,000 yearly; Deb a raise to $50,000 year, Janet a raise to $59,000 and provide a four percent
increase for Sheila, Loris and Lou. Effective July 1, 2003, to hire Jean Bechhold at $20,000 yearly. Second by Chris. Motion carried. Board members who were in favor were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist.

Deb has been accepted into the Harvard graduate school of Mind, Brain and Education Program. A motion was made by Pam to grant Deb Jensen a nine-month education leave of absence and to provide medical benefit coverage for the nine months; with the stipulation that Deb will return at the end of the
nine-months and continue her employment with the board for at least one year after that date. If Deb does not return to board or complete the full year with the board, she will be responsible to pay the entire amount of the medical benefit back to the board. Upon Deb's return, her annual leave
would remain at the same accrual rate, at the time of her leave. Second by Marianna. Motion carried. Board members who voted in agreement were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist.

Pam made a motion to hire a replacement during Deb's educational leave at a cost of her salary less the medical benefit as the board will have a cost neutral expense for the replacement. Second by Dean. Motion carried. Board members who voted in favor were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit,
Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist.

Chris made a motion to increase the license fee of $5 per year, effective July 1, 2004. Second by Dean. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist.

The board reviewed the progress of the grant and made recommendations for the development of the portfolio. Grant summer activities include the alignment workshop, Level II mentoring training, regional workshops, and four sessions of Level I mentoring training as well as Pathwise training in
portfolio development and observation. Much discussion was held on the qualifications for content standards.

ADMINISTRATIVE CASES

Belgarde, Wanda

Janet informed the board that Attorney Dean Baird asked for an extension. A motion was made by Dean to table the case until the August board meeting. Second by Pam Cronin. Motion carried. The administrative board who voted in agreement was Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit and Dean U. Koppelman.

Delong, Loretta

A motion was made by Dean to have Janet contact the business manager to check on Ms. Delong's contract. Second by Pam. Motion carried. The administrative board who voted in agreement was Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit and Dean U. Koppelman.

Gruwell, Ron

A motion was made by Pam to dismiss the request for inquiry. Second by Dean. Motion carried. The administrative board who voted in agreement was Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit and Dean U. Koppelman. Mr. Gruwell is an administrator with the Grand Forks School system. The request for inquiry was done for a possible code of ethics issue.

Schatz, Jeff

A motion was made by Dean to dismiss the request for inquiry. Second by Pam. Motion carried. The administrative board who voted yes was Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit and Dean U. Koppelman. Mr. Schatz is an administrator with the Grand Forks Public School system. The request for inquiry was done for a
possible code of ethics issue.

Titus, Garrett

A motion as made by Pam to table the case until the court's decision has been made. Second by Dean. Motion carried. The administrative board who voted yes was Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit and Dean U. Koppelman.

Rettinger, Gordon

Bill Peterson informed the board that Mr. Rettinger has been acquitted of the charges. Bill has requested a copy of the court findings and will be passing this information on to the board.

Sondag, Mark

A motion was made by Neil to deny the request for application renewal. Sufficient rehabilitation has not yet happened and his license was revoked. Mr. Sondag's conviction has a direct bearing on being an educator. Mr. Sondag can apply for license renewal 5 years after his probation has been completed. At that time, Mr. Sondag will need to apply for an initial license and have a background check done. Second by Pam. Motion carried. The administrative board who voted in agreement was Pam Cronin, Chris
Douthit and Dean U. Koppelman. Bill Peterson will notify Mr. Sondag. NDCCC 15.1-13-25(1)(d)(e) and ND Admin. Code 67.1-02-02-06(4(6)

CASES

Bullinger, Robin

A motion was made by Dean to issue a two-year, initial license, provided that she provides a statement of deferred imposition has been cleared. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Neil
Nordquist. Ms. Bullinger's license had been suspended.

Burke, Kara

A motion was made by Neil to issue an initial, two-year license. Second by Pam. Motion carried. Board members who voted in agreement were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist. Ms. Burke's license request was brought before the board due to her background check.

Carlson, Lisa

A motion was made by Pam to dismiss the request for inquiry. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who voted in agreement were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist. A request for inquiry was filed due to a possible code of ethics issue. Ms. Carlson is an elementary and special education teacher with the Grand Forks school system.

Feeney, John

A motion was made by Chris to issue an initial, two-year license. Second by Dean. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist. Mr. Feeney's license request was brought before the board due to his
background check.

Lloyd, Brent

A motion was made by Pam to dismiss the request for inquiry. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist. Ms. Lloyd is employed with Almont schools.

Pederson, Ruth

A motion was made by Pam to dismiss the request for inquiry. Second by Marianna Malm, Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist. The request for inquiry was filed due to a possible code of ethics issue. Ms. Pederson is employed with the Grand Forks Public Schools as special education teacher.

Perreault, Lisa

A motion was made by Marianna to dismiss the request for inquiry. Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who voted in agreement were Amy Benz, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm and Neil Nordquist. The request for inquiry was filed due to a possible code of ethics issue. Ms. Perreault is employed with the Grand Forks Public Schools as a physical education teacher.

Renz, Gwen

No response has been received from Ms. Renz. The office will notify Ms. Renz indicating that the next meeting will be August 13/14th. The next board meeting will be held August 13/14.

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