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Board Minutes

September 11, 2003

Red River Room, State Capitol, Bismarck, ND

The Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB) meeting was called to order by board chair Dean U. Koppelman. All board members were present for the meeting. Board members present were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Staff members who attended were Lou Aronson, Diane Weber and Janet Welk. Visitors present were LeAnn Nelson, Fern Porkorny and Joe Westby from NDEA, Gary Gronberg and Laurie Matzke from DPI, Mark Wilson from the State Board for Vocational and Technical Education and Doug Bahr and Bill Peterson from the AG's Office.

Agenda case additions were Julie Jensen and Gwen Renz.

A motion was made by Kirk to approve the August board meeting minutes with a suggested correction. Second by Laura. Motion approved. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

There was no financial report available for July and August. Janet gave an overview of the 2003-04 budget draft, but no approval was done on the budget. The budget draft revealed an increase in fees, with most of the increases being at $5 per year increases. A motion was made by Chris to increase the interim, emergency license from $100 to $150. More budget discussion will be done at the October board meeting.

A motion was made by Kirk to approve the administrative rules draft for 67.1-01-01-01 (board stipend) and national board. Second by Marianna. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrwoski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad.

Janet gave staffing updates. Janet would like to hire a transcript reviewer in December/January. A Kelly temp has been assigned the project of reassigning Life license numbers, T/I numbers and emergency numbers. Approximately 300 files have either duplicate numbers or shared numbers. Since there was no recent activity on these files, work was needed in updating addresses, researching degrees, etc.

ITD is working on producing a monthly report that would show the board the number of licenses that have been issued in a given month. This is another accountability measure that was recommended by Bill Peterson.

Once again, much discussion was held on the testing issue. A motion was made by Kirk to table any board action until after the joint education meeting in October. Since ESPB will be hosting the meeting, it was suggested that testing be an item of discussion. Second by Laura. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Laura Carrel, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrwoski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. In the meantime, Neil will approach the NCATE group on the testing issue.

Lou reviewed the portfolio recording worksheet with the board. A motion was made by Laura to charge $100 for the portfolio fee; this would include the cost of the software for the portfolio and assessment for a one-time cost per portfolio. Second by Chris. Motion carried. Board member who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrwoski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Lou recommended the purchase of the live text software. The board gave their approval to purchase whatever software was the best. Pam Cronin commented to the board that she felt the portfolio meeting that was held on September 10th was well received. Lou offered to present an example of the portfolio live text at the October meeting.

Janet informed the group that Pam, Neil and herself are trying to change the scheduled PAAC meeting date.

Dean reminded the group to take some time and review the ESPB Personnel Policies for possible discussion at the October meeting.

CASES

Jensen, Julie

Board members had received various letters regarding this case. Doug Bahr reminded the board that all correspondence should be distributed from the office. Board members when confronted with board matters should remind the individual that issues need to discussed and presented to the entire board. A policy will be developed regarding board members receiving information policy. Doug Bahr suggested that all board members be sent copies of the Jensen tapes. The Jensen case will be placed on the October agenda.

Holmes, Lucien

Janet will ask Mr. Holmes to complete the license application process; his license request will then be brought before the board because of his background check.

Lynch, John

A motion as made by Kirk to issue a two-year, reentry license. Second by Neil. Board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Amy Benz voted no. Mr. Lynch checked yes to question #3; section two of the license application.

Bisenius, Michael

Bill Peterson will review the law regarding national board. Bill recommended Mr. Bisenius be responsible for the $300 not returned from his initial national board application process in 1999.

Rettinger, Gordon

Bill Peterson will be contacting the Griggs County State's Attorney for clarification on his allegations.

Lindvig, Faye

A motion was made by Laura to issue an initial, two-year license. Second by Amy. Motion carried. All board members were in agreement, Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrwoski, Dean Koppelman Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Ms. Faye checked yes to #3, section two of the application form.

Gutensohn, Linda

Bill Peterson reminded the board that the board does not have authority to waive student teaching pursuant to ND Adm. Rule 67.1-01-01-01. Janet will contact Ms. Gutensohn and make her aware of the elementary education endorsement option. The board would also like to draft legislation to rewrite the student teaching rule in the event that an individual could substitute years of successful teaching experience.

Titus, Garrett

Janet informed the board that Mr. Titus's hearing has been postponed until October 7th.

Langland, Richard

Bill Peterson informed the board that Mr. Langland is in default for failing to answer his complaint. A motion was made by Dan to proceed with a default order. Second by Laura. Board members who voted in agreement were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. A motion was made by Pam to revoke Mr. Langland's license. Second by Chris. Motion carried. Board members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrwoski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. NDCC 15-1-13-25(1)(f)

Renz, Gwen

A motion was made by Pam to proceed with disciplinary action. Second by Laura. Motion carried. Baord members who voted yes were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrwoski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. A motion was made by Amy to offer a settlement agreement of a one-year suspension (March 14, 2003 to March 14, 2004). Second by Neil. Motion carried. Board members who were in agreement were Amy Benz, Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Kathy Kiedrwoski, Dean U. Koppelman, Marianna Malm, Neil Nordquist, Dan Vainonen and Kirk Welstad. Ms. Renz's license was brought to board due to a code of ethics issue. She was formerly employed at the Hazelton-Moffitt-Braddock School District as a science teacher. NDCC 15-1-13-25(1)(c)(h) and NDCC 67.1-03-01-02(3)

ADMINISTRATIVE CASES

Sondag, Mark

Bill Peterson will be responding to Mr. Sondag's questions regarding rehabilitative measure.

Belgarde, Wanda

After much discussion as to Ms. Belgarde not performing her duties as an administrator; a motion was made by Pam to dismiss the case. Second by Dean. Motion failed. The administrative board voting yes were Pam Cronin, Dean U. Koppelman and Kirk Welstad. The administrative board voting no were Laura Carley, Chris Douthit and Kathy Kiedrowski. A motion was then made by Laura to proceed with disciplinary action. Second by Chris. Motion carried. Administrative board members in agreement were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman and Kirk Welstad. Laura made a motion to have Bill Peterson write a letter of reprimand. Second by Chris. Administrative board members voting yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski and Dean U. Koppelman. Kirk Welstad voted no. Ms. Belgarde's license was before the board due to a code of ethics issue. She was formerly employed as an administrator at Solen Public Schools.

Lehman, Richard

Bill Peterson informed the board that Mr. Lehman is in default for failing to answer his complaint. A motion was made by Laura to proceed with a default order. Second by Pam. Motion carried. Administrative board who were in agreement were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman and Kirk Welstad. A motion was then made by Laura to suspend his license until July 1, 2004. Second by Pam. Motion carried. Administrative board members who voted yes were Laura Carley, Pam Cronin, Chris Douthit, Kathy Kiedrowski, Dean U. Koppelman and Kirk Welstad. NDCC 67.1-03-01-03(10)

Board reports were given. Janet and Laura attended the NCLB Educational Forum in Fargo. Kirk informed the board that the North Dakota School Boards Association is hosting the National School Board's Conference in Bismarck.

If all board members are in attendance at the October board meeting, a board photo will be done. The meeting was adjourned at 4:15 pm. The next board meeting will be October 16, 2003.

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